The NT News reveals the Men’s team of the year backline of the NTFL 2020-21 season
THE NT News has chosen its best men’s side from players in the NTFL. Today we select our backline. Find out WHO MAKES OUR BEST SIDE here
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THE 2020-21 NTFL season produced everything that is Australian football in the Top End of the country.
Big scores, standout sides, extraordinary individual performances, plenty of controversy and a grand final that will be talked about for th enext 100 years.
From all of that emerged 24 players who belonged to the Team of the Year, footballers who could turn a game on its ear, ignite the crowd and engage fans across the country watching through live streaming of matches, with their skill and courage.
The NT News reveals the Men’s team of the year midfield of the NTFL 2020-21 season
The NT News reveals the Men’s team of the year forwards of the NTFL 2020-21 season
BACK POCKET - MICHAEL BOWDEN (SOUTHERN DISTRICTS)
Played all 18 games for the sixth-placed Crocodiles and even snuck forward to kick four goals
in a reminder of his versatility. A rebounding defender who can use the ball well by regularly finding teammates further up the ground.
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FULL BACK - RYAN PENDLEBURY (DARWIN BUFFALOES)
Enjoyed his best season in a Buffalo jumper since arriving from VFL club Port Melbourne.
A powerful overhead mark who can run off opponents or compete one-on-one with his body strength. Played 17 games in the back half and was one of coach Cameron Stokes’ big weapons when call upon to shut down opposing forwards.
BACK POCKET - DANIEL BOWLES (NIGHTCLIFF TIGERS)
The long kicking left footer can take a mark in a pack or intercept opposition forward moves with a clever chest or overhead mark. Can play further up the ground or in the ruck with a minimum of fuss where his reading of the play was important for the Tigers in another premiership year.
HALF BACK - BRAEDON MCLEAN (WANDERERS)
Had his season disrupted by an unfortunate suspension after the first qualifying final, but was one of the Eagles’ best players in their rise up to the ladder as far as the preliminary final. Adept at the intercept mark and breaking down opposition forward thrusts, McLean’s precise disposal and leadership skills earned him a berth in the NTFL side that beat Glenelg.
CENTRE HALF-BACK - BRODIE NEWMAN (WANDERERS)
A revelation for the Eagles and the competition where he excelled for the NTFL Buffaloes against Glenelg in the representative fixture. Originally headed for Nightcliff, Newman was talked into pulling on a blue and gold jumper while in quarantine with COVID-19 rulings. A powerful overhead mark and thumping kick, Newman was a Rock of Gibraltar in the Wanderers back line where he often short circuited opposition side’s goalkicking intentions in the 21 games he played.
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HALF BACK - DYLAN LANDT (ST MARY’S)
The NT News Player of the Year was a revelation in his first season of Top End football, being named in his side’s best players 14 times in 21 appearances in the green and gold jumper. Has a raking left foot kick that can turn defence into attack and can take overhead and chest marks as a matter of course. The 21-year-old has decided to play football with Glenelg in the SANFL in 2021 in another step forward in his playing career.
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