AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL Districts We're no big spenders newcomer set

By GREY MORRIS Holmes, Jordan Doering) will be for Bombers selected in the finals.’’ By ANDREW ALOIA TIWI Bombers chairman Tiwis chairman hits back at claims ‘‘Our aim has always been to be Allan McGill has hit back at competitive and in the first two up here, but we’ve only got a as did Matthew Wonaeamirri’s from getting a game at league level. seasons we fell off after Christmas. TI TREE’S Kenny Morton has re- critics of his club’s supposed big limited budget and have to be very Andrananguwu family. ‘‘We haven’t had anyone com- ‘‘We’ve learnt from that and we turned to Southern Districts after a spending tactics. careful to operate within that Private firm Shorelands has plain to us, in fact the Tiwi senior know we need size and strength in six year NTFL absence to get a run- The Bombers played five south- scope. We get no money from the committed $300,000 over three people on the football sub board the side to compete with the top up start to second season with the ern recruits in the 10-goal win over government and the same money years to the Bombers’ coffers. and the players are totally support- sides at finals time.’’ Territory Thunder. Palmerston last week, a policy the all the NTFL clubs get from ‘‘All of that funding is for this ive of what we are doing,’’ he said. McGill said operation manager The 22-year-old’s plan worked a critics say is costing the club up to the AFLNT. year only, we’ve got no guarantees ‘‘Coach Karl (Gundersen) ex- Kevin Tandogac’s quote that the $1500 a week in player wages. little bit better than he anticipated, ‘‘There is no money to help us after that,’’ McGill said. plains to them every week we’re club would ‘‘spend everything running himself ragged against St Other criticisms centre around available to win the premiership’’ travel into Darwin each week to ‘‘We’ve even budgeted to take picking a side for a particular game Marys last week. the big number of recruits costing play football. That costs us be- some of the money forward so and it’s been working very well. was not quite right. local players a game. tween $120 and $130,000 a year and we’re not starting from scratch. ‘‘We are getting together a group ‘‘In fact we’re using the Tiwi While he might live and play most ‘‘Absolute rubbish,’’ was McGill’s it’s done through sponsorship ‘‘All that means we’re definitely of taller players and our plan Bombers as a means of influencing his football 1500km away from the response on both fronts. money, definitely not from govern- not going mad on spending money is to get them qualified to play in social change among the Tiwi nearest Tiwi Bomber, Morton is well ‘‘I’ll be up front and say only one ment grants.’’ on players.’’ the finals and therefore available people,’’ he added. aware that action will be turbo- of our recruits get paid and that’s McGill (pictured) said Walter McGill also refuted claims the for selection. ‘‘The more successful we are on charged in the top-of-the-table meet- only $100 a game. Kerinaiua’s family Mantiyupwi Tiwis’ recruiting campaign was ‘‘Who knows if they (Courtney the ground the more likely we are ing at Norbuilt Oval today. ‘‘Yes, we pay airfares to get them Pty Ltd contributed $100,000 a year, preventing island-based players Johns, Joel Smouha, Blake to be successful off the field.’’ ‘‘Oh, I’m sure they are going to he hard to keep up with,’’ Morton said. ‘‘They are all so quick and very tricky.’’ Magpies Saints smash Eagles, but still room for improvement Morton’s only other NTFL appear- ance came in 2004, which was a two- By GREY MORRIS match cameo. hope to STRONG LEADER: Waratahs captain Lincoln Withers and his Darwin opponent contest the ball. Pictures: KATRINA BRIDGEFORD The Rovers CAFL star was enticed ST MARYS coach Brenton Toy to return north by former Thunder hardly raised a smile when quizzed QAFL coach and Districts boss use home on his side’s 102-point win over Michael McLean to better prepare Wanderers yesterday. himself QAFL duties. Saints won 23.14 (152) to 7.8 (50) in His comeback match may have felt advantage a performance that left many Tahs beat Buffs to more like a hostage situation, but he pundits contemplating a another appreciated getting a crash-course in PALMERSTON skipper big St Marys push in the finals. Top End footy before taking on the Mark Berts knows there is no But a reserved Toy observed league leaders. tomorrow when his Magpies some areas of the game his side ‘‘It’s really fast, I couldn’t believe tackle Nightcliff in the NTFL still needed to improve in. how quick it was,’’ he said. match at Cazaly’s Oval today. ‘‘I think by our standards it was Nothing short of a win will an average performance,’’ Toy cement finals spot ‘‘The ball was just on the move the satisfy the Magpie hierachy, said. ‘‘We need to lift our commun- whole time, it was tough.’’ with a top-three finish still ication on the field and be more Morton did well thinking on his within their grasp. accountable at times. feet, moving between midfield and PUB: Good news for the home ‘‘But there were a lot of good Warriors in five after 97-point victory the forward line early before finding side is former Melbourne for- signs as well. himself bunkered down in defence for ‘‘Shannon Rioli kicked 4.6 and the second half. ward Paul Wheatley’s second By ANDREW ALOIA position — albeit in the opposite successive appearance at was very good for us all game. Districts will have added incentive SUNDAY pocket — that he found himself ‘‘Throw Ross Tungatalum back Cazaly’s — the scene of Palm- in last week when he had to perform today after having their erston’s gutsy win over in the mix, James Puautjimi, WARATAHS closed the the chance to win the match seven match winning streak soiled by reigning premier St Marys a Cameron Ilett and Luke Stapleton NTFL finals door behind a 59-point thrashing. and we’re in good hands.’’ against Nightcliff. fortnight ago. them at TIO Stadium last Morton might be the newest ad- St Marys played its best football But ace spearhead Darren night with a 97-point win In his first kick since the dra- dition to the club, but he is fully aware from the midway point of the Ewing will miss again, over Darwin. matic miss, the midfielder took of what’s on the line. second quarter when Wanderers the opportunity to put his side DATE: leaving the goalkicking The 19.19 (133) to 5.6 (36) demo- ‘‘We dropped our heads too briefly threatened. ahead with authority. duties with Wheatley, Mishai lition sees Tahs move two games quickly,’’ he said. Perry and Clinton ‘‘Cool Run- A Campbell Wurramarrba goal clear of the sixth-placed for Wanderers to get his side back It was a brief lead with Wara- ‘‘It was a disappointing result but nings’’ Runnall. Wanderers with only two tahs kicking five of the next to within 29 points was the spark rounds remaining. we want to comeback and show that Berts said his side was play- that lit the Saints fuse. six goals. 31-JAN-2010 It would take disastrous outings we are a better team than that.’’ ing good, constructive football Two quick goals by the brilliant despite last week’s disappoint- against Nightcliff and St Marys Wilson and tenacious Samson Rioli and another two from Karl and the Eagles upsetting the Tiwi Henry were the source of all of ing 10-goal loss to flag favour- Lohde and Craig Parsons took the ites the Tiwi Bombers. Bombers and Southern Districts Darwin’s good work in the open- lead out to 59 points by the last to keep the Warriors from playing ‘‘We played some good footy change. ing half, while Tahs could rely on finals football. the kicking of Josh Hill, leader- against the Tiwis, particularly From there it was all one-way Safe in the knowledge that they in the first quarter when we traffic as the green machine rolled ship of Lincoln Withers, hard- were in control of their finals running Tom Mount and hustle used the ball well,’’ he said. into action. destiny after Wanderers Allan May drifted forward from of Butler to take a stranglehold PAGE: ‘‘Unfortunately we couldn’t crumbled to a 102-point loss to go on with it, but the signs defence to kick two goals, Rioli Saints earlier in the day, Tahs of proceedings. Round 16 were definitely there. added his fourth for the game and strolled to victory. Darwin defences were at red ST MARYS 4.6 10.8 14.10 23.14 (152) Anthony Vallejo booted two in a Ryan Butler starred with six alert in the second term with the ‘‘We know a win against WANDERERS 1.2 4.4 6.5 7.8 (50) Nightcliff is essential, any- nine-goal run home that blew the goals in a match that signalled Warriors storming the forward 24 scoreline out. thing less and the double the triumphant return of 50m with ease. But the inaccurac- GOALS — St Marys: S Rioli 4 A Vallejo 3 A May 2 I Vallejo chance is gone for us.’’ Port Adelaide premiership Trevor Oliver. ies that have blighted their 2 C Parsons 2 P MacFarlane 2 M Liddy 2 J Heath 2 R player Peter Burgoyne only lasted Whatever degenerative knee Hood H Culpitt K Lohde R Hale. Wanderers: R

COLOR: Nightcliff is coming off a season continued, kicking 3.7 for a few minutes into the game injury cut Oliver’s career at Prendergast 3 C Wurramarrba J Jackson A Bond D tight win over Darwin and will the term. Buffaloes replied with a before tight hamstrings saw him WAFL side East Perth short Miskin. solitary point. BEST — St Marys: S Rioli J Heath A Hill P MacFarlane R want to finish its season on a sit the rest of the game out. didn’t hinder the 21-year-old’s high note. Hale. Wanderers: J Bonson D Kruze R Prendergast J Toy and his brainstrust will rest much anticipated return to the Spitfire Darwin duo of Josh Jackson A Bond. Veteran Tigers Robert him against Darwin next week in a NTFL. The bounding half-back Blitner and Garry Ariuu showed Umpires: Dave Kennedy Ayden Rickman Simon Walker Campbell and Stewart Carr bid to have him right for the finals. laid two crunching tackles and moments of brilliance, but WARATAHS 5.4 8.11 13.15 19.19 (133) (24) C could be playing their final ● ST MARYS will stage its buffeted Darwin’s early charge. even that failed to help the NTFL seasons. annual legends game on TIO’s And when things got quiet in Buffs cause. DARWIN 2.2 2.3 3.4 5.6 (36) No. 2 oval from 2pm today. the backline he was employed A winning send-off for GOALS — Waratahs: R Butler 6 J Hill 3 S O’Keefe 2 B those two warriors in the last All the greats of yesteryear will with equal effect in midfield. It wasn’t until the 20 minute mark of the third stanza that Kroger 2 M Bradley A Govers M Dillon J Mowat T three games would be a play, including Adrian Moscheni, In an ironic start to the match, Tassman C Kelf. Darwin: R Russell 3 S Wilson 2 (24) M fitting farewell. SLIPPERY SAINT: St Marys’ Matthias Liddy manages to escape the grip of Wanderers opponent Ted Liddy, Noel and Steven Long Darwin’s Shaun Wilson found Richard Russell booted his BEST — Waratahs: R Butler T Oliver L Withers T Mount — GREY MORRIS Adrian Bond. Picture: KATRINA BRIDGEFORD and Michael Graham. himself marking from nearly second and Darwin’s third of A Govers. Darwin: S Wilson L Lewis R Russell G Ariuu S THE CHIEF: Tahs’ Mark Bradley looks to handpass exactly the same distance and the match. Henry Umpires: Jim Thiele Andrew Crook Nick Saltmarsh

(24) Y Ladder O’Loughlin sees bright AFL future for South Africa Clarkson admits to Hawks weighty problem TEAM P W L D F A % Pts ● T’BOMBERS 15 13 2 0 1690 1112 151.9 52 By TONY SHEAHAN rowly avoided a loss to the South one time to get their skill develop- him and talked with him then had By GLENN McFARLANE the roles they were being asked ‘‘Hodgey only has to look at a before getting him to lighten off ● S’DISTRICTS 15 11 4 0 1493 1155 129.3 44 (24) K in Melbourne Africans during the week. ment right,’’ he said. some morning tea with him. in Melbourne to play. weights room to put on weight. in the second half of the season. ST MARYS 16 10 6 0 1398 1182 118.3 40 ‘‘No doubt in five to 10 years O’Loughlin and his entourage ‘‘He spoke fondly of his last visit He insists both the 2008 He entered 2009 about four ‘‘Buddy played about three or WARATAHS 16 9 7 0 1407 1414 99.5 36 they’ll have one or two of those from Australia were given a once to Sydney and spoke of the time he Coleman medallist and 2008 kilos heavier. four kilos heavier in the early ● PALMERSTON 15 8 7 0 1355 1333 101.7 32 SYDNEY great Michael O’Loughlin HAWTHORN coach guys we played during the week on in lifetime opportunity to meet watched the Swans play. He said Norm Smith medallist will strip ‘‘He had groin troubles trying part of 2009 than the year be- WANDERERS 16 7 9 0 1498 1576 95.0 28 predicts a South African will play in a list, if not sooner,’’ O’Loughlin one of the more famous heads he is a big, big supporter of the Alastair Clarkson has much leaner this year. to cope with a heavy load. When fore,’’ he said. ● NIGHTCLIFF 15 3 12 0 1176 1484 79.2 12 the AFL inside the next said. ‘‘They have great athleticism, on the planet, who played game of AFL.’’ admitted stars Lance ‘‘With Croady (Trent Croad) it blows up in your face, you ‘‘The view was if he could still decade. also great height, and they can such an integral role in the coun- Asked whether there was a Franklin and Luke not being available at the time, wonder why you would have ever be as athletic, how much more DARWIN 16 1 15 0 1085 1843 58.9 4 ● O’Loughlin was definitely run, and they can read try’s development. minute chance he remembered Hodge played up to Hodgey came to us and said ‘if I considered it.’’ damaging would he have been if Playing today privy to the South the play, so there is no reason they ‘‘We got to meet the great man, the Sydney forward with four kilos too heavy am going to have to take some of Franklin was criticised in the had four more kilos. African boys’ tal- won’t play.’’ Archbishop Desmond Tutu,’’ he No. 19 adorning his jumper, last season. that load and play on the bulkier media early in 2009 for carrying ‘‘We thought ‘gee that could Next Week — Round 17 ents as opposition The AFL’s aggressive push into said. ‘‘It was one of the highlights O’Loughlin laughed and replied: A candid Clarkson forwards, do you think I should too much weight, with suggest- cause some grief’. In actual fact, Saturday, February 6: Tiwi Bombers v Wanderers at TIO coach of the Aust- South Africa appears to be paying of my life. ‘‘Not a chance.’’ said the club had play a little heavier’?’’ Clarkson ions he was out of condition. it caused us grief.’’ Stadium, 2.30pm; Darwin v St Marys at TIO Stadium, 5pm; Southern Districts v Palmerston at TIO Stadium, 7.30pm. ralian junior dividends according to the retired ‘‘We presented him with a couple The Boomerangs take on the agreed to both said. ‘‘In the circumstances at But Clarkson said the club had Clarkson said last year had Sunday, February 7: Nightcliff v Waratahs at Nightcliff, team, the Boom- Swans premiership forward. of boomerangs as well as a boom- South African coastal team players bulking up a that point of time, you think backed the star forward’s move been a massive learning year, 4pm. erangs, who nar- ‘‘The boys will just need one on erang jumper. We walked with this week. little in 2009 to assist in that’s a reasonable thing to do. to bulk up a few extra kilos, coming off a premiership in 2008. 24 — Sunday Territorian, Sunday, January 31, 2010 www.sundayterritorian.com.au www.sundayterritorian.com.au Sunday Territorian, Sunday, January 31, 2010 — 33