THURSDAY MARCH 15 2018 SPORT 37 Gone with the wind? CARL PFEIFFER with then-NTFL boss Bob Cyclone threatens to postpone NTFL Grand Final Kingston and his administra- THE AFLNT is on the brink of tion. a logistical disaster with Satur- And another cyclone day’s NTFL Grand Final in NTFL would have no choice grand final we’ll reschedule it loes and Southern Districts – larly with the wind and rain dubbed Alessia forced the can- danger of being cancelled due but to postpone Saturday’s for the next Saturday. desperate to end lengthy subsiding in time for a sched- cellation of a Tiwi Bombers- to the impending threat of a grand final to the following “The by-laws say a Tuesday premiership hiatuses. uled 7pm start. Southern Districts clash in late cyclone hitting the Top End. week, creating a logistical night game but the importance The threat of a cyclone is not Earlier this season, a match November, 2013. The clash was A monsoon trough lurking nightmare for administrators. of a grand final means it will be new to Top End football, with between Southern Districts and officially called a draw when off the Darwin coast could The Tiwi Islands grand final played a week after. the AFLNT forced to make a Nightcliff was called off due to the cyclone got too close for the make landfall as a cyclone on – scheduled for Sunday – is also “That means any warning decision last season to postpone excessive rain and the threat of AFLNT’s liking and was never either Friday or Saturday, with at risk of being cancelled. between now and game time the NTFL second semi-final lightning strikes, with both rescheduled. the Bureau of Meteorology rat- “Rain and a bit of wind won’t will mean rescheduling.” due to bureau warnings. teams splitting the points. The most devastating cyc- ing it a “25 to 50 per cent” stop us … what will is a cyclone Near record crowds have The postponement of the St Cyclone Rachel caused an lone to ever hit the Top End – chance of coming to fruition. warning from the bureau,” Jef- been tipped for the grand final Mary’s-Wanderers match left entire round of matches to be Tracy – wiped out almost half AFLNT operations manager frey said. at TIO Stadium, with support- fans and players from both abandoned in 1996, when the of Darwin and caused the en- Russell Jeffrey said if an official “If that happens, the game ers eager to watch two Premier teams scratching their heads prospect of 130km/h winds and tire NTFL 1974-75 season to be cyclone warning was issued the gets cancelled and because it’s a League clubs – Darwin Buffa- regarding the decision, particu- associated rain did not agree cancelled. Rocco star Danger aiming signing for for Round 1 GEELONG superstar says he is sick of Thunder the media circus surrounding his hamstring injury and won’t THE excitement continues to provide a running commen- build at the Thunder, after the tary as he races the clock to be Territory outfit snared the fit for Round 1. signing of the highly sought- Dangerfield was yesterday after Ross Tungatalum. diagnosed with a low-grade The 27-year-old committed hamstring strain, keeping alive for the 2018 NEAFL competit- the slim chance he could line ion off the back of a superb up against Melbourne on Sun- season playing for Tiwi in the day week, just 14 days after suf- NTFL. fering the injury. Often referred to as the The 2016 - “human highlights reel”, Tun- list will undertake an individu- gatalum kicked 55 goals in 17 alised training program over games in 2011 to become a the next 10 days. premiership player for the club. He also pulled on the Thunder guernsey for two games, booting eight goals in Davis re-signs 2014. He has built a wealth of with Giants football experience from time spent playing in the Territory, GREATER Western Sydney as well as country and co-captain Phil Davis says the WAFL in Perth. being so close to a premiership A forward who keeps oppo- is helping keep players with sition players on their toes, the Giants. Tungatalum has dished out The courageous defender more than a few footballing became the latest player to re- masterclasses. sign with the club, inking a His natural ability, as well three-year deal that sees him as numerous freakish acts he locked away until the end of performs on the footy field, the 2021 season. has Thunder coach Andrew It follows star small forward Hodges excited. Toby Greene’s new six-year “Any time you get a deal. premiership winning player All-Australian back at the club is a bonus, but re-signed with the Giants last a player of Rocco’s calibre is September after being offered especially thrilling,” he said. Tiwi Bombers gun Ross Tungatalum has signed for NT Thunder Picture: IVAN RACHMAN big deals from rival clubs.

Get the full story with +

Foxtel Now NT News+ Stream every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season Plus get all the footy news and analysis live on your big screen with the Foxtel Now box (valued at $99) before and after every game of AFL with the Full-On Footy Pass and 26 channels in the Sport + Lifestyle package. a digital subscription. From $9.95 a week for the first 12 months Min. Cost $517.40 * 1800 031 353 | ntnews.com.au/footypass

*Full-On Footy Annual Pass provides a 52 week digital membership, or 52 week digital membership + weekend delivery to ntnews.com.au. Digital membership offer to be billed in advance as $39.80 billed 4 weekly for the first 52 weeks, total price $517.40. Weekend delivery offer to be billed as a first and will apply after the expiry of the first 12 months unless you cancel your subscription with Foxtel. Foxtel Now Box included as part of any Full-On Footy Pass. Free shipping with next business day delivery in most metro areas if your order is placed with Foxtel before 1pm AEST. An internet connection payment of $188.80 (includes first 4 weeks payment) then $39.80 billed in advance 4 weekly for the remainder of the 52 weeks (starting approx. 4 weeks after your upfront payment), total price $666.40. At the end of the initial 52 weeks, both offers will automatically renew as $28 billed in advance 4 is required to access Foxtel Now, the Google Play Store and to set up the box. A Foxtel Now account is required to set up and access the box. A Foxtel Now subscription is required to watch Foxtel content. A Google account is required to download apps from the Google Play Store. Codes are non- weekly. No cancellations during the first 52 weeks and then renewals occur unless cancelled. A valid and active email address and mobile phone number is required for account set up. Home Delivery offers are only available where normal home delivery exists for NT residents and not where additional transferable and expire 30/09/2018, 11:59pm (AEST). Foxtel Now requires internet and compatible device. Data charges may apply. Only available to new Foxtel Now subscribers. Foxtel Marks are used under licence by Foxtel Management Pty Ltd. Offer ends 30/3/18. Not available in conjunction with freight is ordinarily charged. Allow up to 5 days for home delivery to commence. Full-On Footy Pass includes a redeemable code to a 12 month Foxtel Now (Sport + Lifestyle packs only) subscription. Ongoing subscription fees for the Sport + Lifestyle packs will be charged by Foxtel at standard prices any other offer. New customers only. Not available to any person who has previously breached any of our subscription terms and conditions. Prices after the first 52 weeks may be varied in line with full terms and conditions - see www.ntnews.com.au/subscriptionterms for full details.

V1 - NTNE01Z01MA