Tiwi Bombers captain Paddy Heenan on renewed focus for club juniors ahead of Nightcliff Tigers clash

TIWI Bombers captain Paddy Heenan has put a difficult 2020-21 NTFL season to the side, with his and the club’s focus firmly on its juniors and a rebuild for the years to come.

Tiwi Bombers co-captain Paddy Heenan says his club has renewed its focus on junior players coming through. Picture: Felicity Elliott/AFLNT Media

TIWI Bombers captain Paddy Heenan has put a difficult 2020-21 season to the side with his and the club’s focus firmly on its juniors, and a rebuild for the seasons to come.

Tiwi has yet to win a game in the 2020-21 season and, with finals now out of reach and imports no longer around, the club has turned its focus to building its juniors.

Among the junior players emerging at the Bombers are Brendan Kantilla, Brayden Rioli, John Tipiloura and Tyson Tipuamantamerri.

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And it’s those players who Heenan is eyeing to bring back the Bombers results of old in coming seasons.

“It’s been a tough season, particularly as one of the co-captains coming up against teams and not getting results,” Heenan told the NT News.

“Early on we had more balance with southerners in the side but most have stayed back home, while others have kept theirs so we haven’t been as competitive.

“We let some games slip early on where we could have won and just haven’t gone our way this season.

“It’s important for us to build the to focus on these juniors now, look at teams who have gone through that phase such as Wanderers (2019-20) and St Mary’s (2018-19) and where they are now.

“If we can build that same mentality now and hope everyone else gets back on board we should see the Bombers of old back next year, with these young guys bringing us back bigger and better.”

With heavy defeats to Wanderers and Waratah behind them the Bombers will know matters won’t get any easier when they face top side Nightcliff in Round 15 at TIO Stadium on Saturday.

Nightcliff boasts experienced campaigners such as Cam Ilett, Phil Wills and Daniel Bowles, alongside valuable import Dom Brew.

And with valued players such as Mason DeWit and Fletcher Carroll out of the Tiwi outfit in recent weeks the odds are stacked the Bombers.

Tiwi Bombers’ Harley Puruntatameri will be pushing for success for his club side. Picture: Glenn Campbell

But the likes of co-captain Jack Monigatti, Harley Puruntatameri and Dion Munkara are more than capable of impressing.

“We know it will be a tough game against Nightcliff but if we stick together we can play a good game,” Heenan said.

“We know they’re strong across the field and as with most teams their bigger bodies will push our younger fellas about a bit, but we just have to keep the positivity and play our game.

“If we can play our fast Tiwi brand of footy we should be okay. Last time we played them on the island it was a close game and we were proud of making it close against them.”

The experienced Tiwi captain also took part in the rep footy weekend playing for the Katherine Big Rivers outfit against the Redtails – less than 24 hours after playing for Tiwi against Waratah in the postponed Round 13 NTFL match.

And with interleague rep footy making its successful comeback, Heenan hopes the concept only continues bringing in other leagues from across the Territory.

“That was a bit like winding the clock back. I haven’t been able to do a double-header in a long time,” Heenan said.

“Definitely felt it when I was playing on Saturday but it was great to play rep footy and represent my team the Ngukurr Bulldogs.

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“Felt like the old days when rep sides from different leagues played and I hope to see more with more teams involved, which will improve those community pathways and give kids the chance to aspire for more.”