The NT News reveals the Men’s team of the year forwards 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 forwards. Find out WHO MAKES OUR BEST SIDE here

Cameron Ilett continues to prove that he is one of the greats of the NTFL. Photograph: Che Chorley

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 backline of the NTFL 2020-21 season

The NT News reveals the Men’s team of the year midfield of the NTFL 2020-21 season

HALF FORWARD - CAMERON ILET (NIGHTCLIFF TIGERS)

Cameron Ilett continues to prove he is one of the all time greats in the NTFL. Photograph: Che Chorley

No best of team should be without Ilett, one of the premier players in the senior competition over the 15 years. Ilett kicked 32 goals in 21 matches playing up forward or down back, depending what his team’s requirements were. As tough as nails in the clinches and rarely beaten in a one-on-one contest, he is one of NTFL football’s true greats.

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CENTRE HALF-FORWARD - JACKSON CALDER (ST MARY’S)

Jackson Calder hit elite goalkicking form in the 2020-21 NTFL finals. Photograph: Che Chorley

A big marking, fast leading key forward who can be relied on to kick goals against the best defences, Calder made his first season in the Top End count with some stellar performances in the key forward role, including 49 goals in 20 matches. He kicked 19 goals in three key finals matches _ first semi-final, preliminary and grand finals _ in further proof, if it was needed, that he has established himself as one of the key forwards in the competition.

HALF FORWARD - JARROD STOKES (DARWIN BUFFALOES)

Jarrod Stokes was a consistent standout for the Darwin Buffaloes in the 2020-21 season. Photograph: Che Chorley

Possessed with lightning pace and superb kicking and hand skills, the Darwin Buffaloes skipper is the ideal choice to place on a forward flank as a main attacking weapon. Kicked 16 goals mainly as a midfielder in 17 games for the Buffaloes, where his appetite for goals and ability to break tags with his explosive leg speed and evasive skills, Stokes is a must selection in any NTFL side.

FORWARD POCKET - ABE ANKERS (WARATAH)

Abe Ankers had a massive season for the Tahs with plenty of time on the ball. Picture: Felicity Elliott / AFLNT Media

The essential forward pocket who can kick goals and run all day when released to a midfield role. Only played 12 games this season but found the ball a lot of times and did a lot with it when he had the Sherrin in his hands. A favourite son at Gardens Oval where Waratah has been based for the last 20 years, Ankers loves to kick a goal when given any room to move.

FULL FORWARD - BRETT EDDY (WANDERERS)

Wanderers spearhead Brett Eddywas the league’s top goal scorer. Picture: Celina Whan / AFLNT Media

The former Port Adelaide goalkicker booted 69 goals in 18 games. He returned two hauls of nine goals against the Tiwi Bombers and kicked five goals or more seven times in a standout season. Highly effective on the lead where he can take overhead or chest marks with ease, Eddy’s finishing with his trademark drop punts always attracted the opposition’s best defender.

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FORWARD POCKET - SHAUN MANNAGH (WANDERERS)

Shaun Manngh showed some great skills throughout the 2020-21 season. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Arrived almost unnoticed from VFL club Werribee at the start of the season but soon attracted the attention of opposition sides with the high number of possessions he was accumulating on a regular basis. Dogged by soft tissue injuries towards the end of the season, Mannagh still played 12 games and kicked 16 goals in a superb debut season.