The NTFL rep squad beat South Fremantle for the first time in history
The 2023 NTFL men’s squad have made history beating South Fremantle for the first time due to match fitness and clinical finishing.
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Match fitness and clinical finishing came to the fore as the NTFL rep side beat South Fremantle for the first time in its history.
The NT and South Fremantle have enjoyed a long history, but the visitors had come out on top in both their previous meetings, in 1973 and 1998.
However, in 2023 it was the NT’s turn using players from across the league to win 12.9 (81) to 10.9 (69) victory.
But as much as the NTFL squad were the more match fit of the two sides it was the Bulldogs, in their pre-season, with all the attacking intent early on.
The height of Solomon James in the ruck and the running threats of Manfred Kelly, Chase Bourne and former St Mary’s wing Lachie Taylor burned the NT midfield early on.
As fate would have it Robbie Turnbull, one of Waratah’s stars, would get the first shot at goal in his first match for Souths against many of his NTFL teammates.
However, fortune would not go his way and his kick went askew, an issue that plagued the visiting team early even though they were dominating possession.
The Buffaloes however were much more clinical when they had their chances with the electric finishing of the NTFL’s leading goal scorer Jayden Magro on show throughout the encounter.
Meanwhile, the league’s best defenders including Mitchel Taylor and Ryan Nyhuis were busy limiting the chances that came the Bulldogs’ way early on.
But in the second quarter the Bulldogs finally took advantage of the ball coming their way with Tom Blechynden and Haiden Schloithe among the main instigators.
It was a system of run and gun for the Bulldogs in which they were almost outmatching the NT at their own game.
Meanwhile, the NTFL side were exposed for their lack of manning up as South Fremantle seemed to have numbers at every contest.
It forced the likes of Nick Yarran, Nate Paredes and Michael Bowden forced to make the big, last-ditch tackles to limit scores against them.
But for as dominant as South Fremantle seemed at times the NT Buffaloes stayed in and it was in the third quarter that match fitness came to the fore.
Former AFL player Mitch Robinson was instrumental in the midfield battle clearing deep time after time, and one kick down the throat of Harley Bennell was pivotal in keeping the NT in touch.
A three bounce run from another former AFL player Steven Motlop showed the talent available in the side, while a shot from Yarran mid-fall only cemented the Buffaloes’ lead.
Late in the piece it was St Mary’s champion Dylan Landt who came to the fore showing why he’s so highly rated with multiple runs out of midfield.
It was those sort of plays and overall match fitness that saw the NT side cement their lead while Magro, and fellow elite goal scorers Jackson Calder and Darcy Hope finished off their chances.
Souths were never done with and it was their match fit players in Turnbull and Schloithe who almost inspired a comeback late in the piece.
But some more darts from Landt out of the midfield meant the visitors had too much to do to stay in the match.
After a four goal performance Magro was named the best on ground, an accolade he was proud to achieve.
“It’s great to get the win, there’s such a proud history with these jumpers,” Magro said.
“We’re in our season so match fitness probably got us over the line, we knew they would play their system to stay in the match, but for us we played our footy and made the most of our opportunities.
“It’s awesome to play with these players, we leave our egos at home and we come out and play the best footy we can for the NT.
“The NTFL is such a proud competition, to be in the best 24 and to pull on this jersey means a lot to every player.”
Meanwhile, for South Fremantle Turnbull stated how pleased he was to be a part of the match particularly after only meeting his new team at 10pm the night before the match.
“What a cracking game of NT footy, I think it shows the quality of the players and the game was on for all four quarters,” Turnbull said.
“South Freo are a super proud club, I can’t thank them enough for how welcoming they’ve been with me and they hold this game so highly, and hopefully we can see them up here again.
“The boys had to get used to the conditions and probably played into the NT’s hand a little with that free-flowing, fast footy, we could have slowed it down a bit more.
“To the NT’s credit in that third quarter they got it on the outside and surged it up forward, and the potency up forward means you can’t give them second chances.”
Score:
NTFL Men’s: 3.2 6.3 10.6 12.9 (81)
South Fremantle: 1.5 6.6 6.8 10.9 (69)
Goals:
NTFL Men’s:
Jayden Magro 3
Jackson Calder 2
Darcy Hope 2
Steven Motlop
Harley Bennell
Nick Yarran
Ronald Fejo
South Fremantle:
Nathan Spooner 2
Haiden Schloithe 2
Chase Bourne 2
Zachary Strom 2
Tom Blechynden
Caleb Stephens
Best:
NTFL Men’s:
Ryan Nyhuis
Jayden Magro
Dylan Landt
Mitchel Taylor
Mitch Robinson
South Fremantle:
Tom Blechynden
Robbie Turnbull
Solomon James
Chase Bourne
Hayden Schloithe
‘Pretty daunting’: The NTFL squad to take on South Fremantle
The 2023 NTFL rep squad is out to make history eager to beat South Fremantle for the first time, fifty years on from their original meeting.
South Fremantle have plenty of links with the Territory, and will be coming up to play to preserve their unbeaten record against the NT.
The Bulldogs first visited the Top End in 1973 and went home with a win, and it was a win they protected 25 years later in 1998.
So it was only natural 25 years on they would come again, but St Mary’s and now NTFL rep squad coach Anthony Vallejo believes his squad is capable of breaking the streak.
The Men’s match will be available on the AFLNTv YouTube channel on a 1-hour delay.
The match starts at 6.30pm, while the stream will begin at 7.30pm.
WATCH HERE:
The NT rep squad have trained for just three weeks, but do have match fitness on their side when they take on the visiting WA team.
“It’s pretty daunting, they’re a powerhouse side of the WAFL and being at St Mary’s there’s a strong connection between the two clubs,” Vallejo said.
“It’s been good mixing with boys from other clubs, and we’ve got five other coaches from premier league clubs involved so it’s been a good experience.
“We have 11 players who played in the rep team last year, and we’ve got some new players making their rep debuts which will be exciting.”
For the third year in a row Wanderer’ skipper Braedon McLean will take on the rep team captaincy with good friend and Buffaloes’ rival Jarrod Stokes taking on the vice-captain role once again.
But there are plenty of clubs leaders in the squad including Vallejo’s St Mary’s captain Nate Paredes, Nightcliff defender Ryan Nyhuis and Waratah vice-captain Dylan Collis.
There’s also plenty of explosive club players from Tigers’ Brodie Filo, pacy Saints’ forwards Nick Yarran and Joseph Salmon and Waratah’s kicking machines Jayden Magro and Darcy Hope.
And with all those ingredients from across the NTFL, Vallejo expects his side to be match fit and ready to play Territory style footy against his foes.
“We’re just going to go out there and play that Territory style of footy, we’re going to be outsized so it comes down to that speed and our skill level,” Vallejo said.
“We’re also halfway through our season, so we should be match fit against a side in their pre-season, so it will be that crash and bash early and see where it goes from there.”
McLean said it was an honour to once more be in the rep team and lauded the talent in his squad.
“The rep game is always something you look forward to and to be a part of the group again is something special,” McLean said.
“It’s always a funny one. A lot of us butt heads on the field, but it’s a really good opportunity for us to get together and get to know each other outside the footy field.
“(South Fremantle) have a massive history with the Territory, it’s going to be a great match and we look forward to have them and hosting them up here.
“We’ve got a lot of great local talent, and some great southern talent mixed in, so we’re just going to be trying to adapt on the night, playing a fast brand of footy and hopefully kick a few goals.”
Full NTFL Rep Men’s Squad
FB: Michael Bowden, Ryan Nyhuis, Braedon McLean (c)
HB: Brodie Newman, Mitchel Taylor, Kieren Parnell
C: Jarrod Stokes, Mitch Robinson, Dylan Collis
HF: Steven Motlop, Darcy Hope, Harley Bennell
FF: Jayden Magro, Jackson Calder, Nick Yarran
FOL: Brock Carter, Brodie Filo, Dylan Landt
Interchange: Ronald Fejo, Bradley Stokes, Arnold Kirby, Nathaniel Paredes, Joseph Salmon, Thomas Schott, Matt Shannon
Emergencies: Luke Smith, Edward Morris, Frazer Driscoll
‘Journeyman’: Tah’s unique footy debut in NT rep game
A self-confessed Waratah “journeyman” will face a unique set of circumstances at TIO Stadium this Saturday.
Robbie Turnbull, playing in his third season with Tahs in Men’s Premier League, will slip into a red and white jumper of a different kind when he makes his debut for South Fremantle against the NT’s “Buffaloes” for the annual representative game.
The Mornington Peninsula product was tempted west to play in the WAFL in 2023 after some encouragement from former coach at Cairns City Lions, Aaron Davey, and Palmerston’s Ashton Hams.
The Evolve Fitness strength and conditioning coach, who also helps out at a local Indigenous art gallery in Darwin, said the prospect of lining up against some of his Tah teammates was a little “weird”, with eight named in the NT squad.
And in a further twist, Turnbull has yet to meet most of his new teammates, but knows several from their time in the NTFL, including Lachlan Taylor (St Mary’s) and Haiden Schloithe (Banks, Palmerston, St Mary’s).
Turnbull said he will meet the Bulldogs squad on Friday night and bunk with them at the Michael Long Learning and Leadership Centre.
“This is sort of a merger game I guess,” Turnbull said.
“To meet those guys and build camaraderie and say hello before I rock up three weeks before Round 1.”
Turnbull joked he had been given instructions by Waratah coach Ryan Ayres not to belt up any of his charges, with another NTFL finals campaign looming.
“Ayresy said don’t injure any of them,” Turnbull said with a laugh.
“Bump into somebody else, stay away from each other.”
He said South Freo might be surprised at how much pride the NT takes in the annual fixtures.
Two years ago, Glenelg had travelled north perhaps thinking it would be a reasonably friendly, pre-season game, Turnbull added.
“They quickly realised ... how much this means to the NT,” he said.
“With the list that they’ve got, there’s some fantastic players and the quality’s as good as anywhere.
“These guys are coming for a red hot crack.”
Meanwhile, Turnbull said his connection with Hams – a teammate at Cairns City Lions and a two-time South Freo premiership player – had enticed him west.
“Ashton, obviously being a club legend down there, got me across,” he said.
“He put in a good word.
“I haven’t been to Perth, ever, I’ve never even been to WA.”
It’s yet another state ticked off for Turnbull, who has also played at a high level in both Victoria (Frankston VFL) and Queensland (Cairns City).
“(I’m a) bit of a journeyman,” he said, drawn interstate to escape lockdowns back in Victoria.
“The best thing about it is the connections you make. The mateship.”
He said his job at Evolve Fitness, where he runs online programs for over 30 footballers across the country, had helped him achieve the “tough ask” of playing the game 12 months of the year.
“I think that’s why I’ve been able to play year round because I do know how to look after my body,” he said.
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