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

Tigers's Dom Brew had a stellar first season with the Nightcliff side winning the Nichols Medal. Picture: Glenn Campbell

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 forwards of the NTFL 2020-21 season

WING - LACHLAN TAYLOR (ST MARY’S)

St Mary's recruit Lachlan Taylor showed plenty of pace and skill through the season. Picture: Aaron Black / AFLNT Media

The surprise packet of the Premier League competition with his ability to find the football and run hard with it. From the Geelong region in Victoria where his marking and kicking skills fitted in well with the Saints’ style of play. Played 21 games for the club in a sparking debut year that should see a lot more of him in Top End football.

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CENTRE - BRODIE FILO (NIGHTCLIFF TIGERS)

Brodie Filo once again played a massive role in Nightcliff’s title run. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Possessed with all the skills required for a hard running, long kicking midfielder, Filo was the go-to man in another Nightcliff flag. Capable of transitioning play from behind the centre square to the forward line with a thumping long kick, or finding a teammate on the lead with a lightning quick short pass, Filo’s high possession rate in most games meant opposition coaches were forced to sacrifice a player and use him as a tag on the Victorian.

WING - SHAUN WILSON (NIGHTCLIFF TIGERS)

Shaun Wilson was a workhorse in the middle for the title winners. Picture: Felicity Elliott / AFLNT Media

One of the competition’s most underrated players, Wilson has the skill and aerobic capacity to run all day. The essential wingman with his superb kicking skills, long runs and big appetite for goals, Wilson was one of Nightcliff’s main suppliers to a forward line that kicked almost 200 points more than any other side in the 20-21 home and away season.

RUCK - MATTHEW DENNIS (PALMERSTON MAGPIES)

Palmerston skipper Matthew Dennis was an ever-consistent performer for his outfit. Picture: Felicity Elliott / AFLNT Media

One of the best big men to grace the playing fields of Darwin in the last 30 years, Dennis stood out like a beacon in a Palmerston side that struggled for consistency. Was always in his side’s best players in all 18 home and away games the Magpies played, Dennis’ strong marking, precise kicking when going long or short to a leadup player and immaculate ruckwork were one of the few highlights for Magpie fans.

RUCK ROVER: DOMINIC BREW (NIGHTCLIFF TIGERS)

Tigers's Dom Brew had a stellar first season with the Nightcliff side winning the Nichols Medal. Picture: Glenn Campbell

This season’s Nichols medallist was one reason the word consistent was written all over the Premier League champions. Another product of Victoria’s strong Ovens and Murray Football League, Brew’s work on the inside was an essential part of Nightcliff’s 20-21 season that produced 18 wins from 20 games, including the nailbiting grand final triumph over St Mary’s.

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ROVER - DANE MCFARLANE (WANDERERS)

Dane McFarlane was a frequent ballgetter in the 2020-21 season. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Another player who covers a lot of ground in his role as a follower. Always at the fall of the ball or the creator of forward moves with his first option possessions and top level foot and hand skills, McFarlane played all 21 games in an Eagles side that only fell short of a grand final berth through suspensions and injury to key players.