THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 6 2018 SPORT 37 Change in Wedding plan lifts Litchfield

JACK HISLOP

TRENT Wedding will help steer Litchfield around the pad- dock in Saturday’s decider – but the big job does not faze him. The 2018 NRL NT Rising Star shifted from the wing to five-eighth in Round 7 against South Darwin, the point when the Bears’ magic run began. Jake Barnes’ side went on to win seven of its next eight matches to qualify for Satur- day’s big dance against Night- cliff. “I’ve enjoyed it a lot,” Wed- ding said of his move infield. “I’ve been learning off (half- back and 2017 Frank Johnson Medallist) Matty (Goodfellow), who’s been teaching me. He’s taught me a lot of structured work, how to attack people and how to catch them out.” The 18-year-old began the first-grade season off the back of a stellar campaign with the West Coast Pirates in NSW ’s SG Ball com- petition. Wedding claimed the rep- resentative team’s best and fairest award, but a grand final win on Saturday would mean so Nightcliff’s David Tabuai has been a revelation in the centres this year and says his side can overcome Litchfield in the decider Picture: KERI MEGELUS much more. “We are very excited for this weekend,” Wedding said. “We had a good night at the (Frank Johnson Medal on Monday) and are really looking forward to the game,” Wedding Tabuai ready to finish said. The pivot said a week’s rest after beating Palmerston in the major semi-final had played into Litchfield’s hands. “It was good to have a week- end off, we had a bond,” Wed- off epic year in the NT ding said. “It was good watching the Nightcliff and Palmerston (pre- JACK HISLOP for Nightcliff,” Tabuai said. and now a grand final. It usual- pect anything to come out of it. “It will be a big grind to start liminary final) and learning “And it’s been one of the best ly doesn’t happen like that, but Being a full-time soldier, it in the first 10 to 15 minutes, but about how Nightcliff play and NIGHTCLIFF got more than things I’ve done.” I’ve been very fortunate and never crossed my mind that I it will only take one try to open how we are going to react to it bargained for playing against Tabuai will run out for the lucky.” was going to play footy, be- it up, and by that point, the that on Saturday. an Army XIII outfit in April. Dragons in Saturday’s grand The most amazing part of cause I’m always focused on nerves will be gone.” “It was probably (Night- A tall, quick and agile centre final against Litchfield, having the 21-year-old’s rugby league work.” The lanky speedster said cliff’s) best game of the season. exposed the Dragons’ defence made a big mark on Territory journey is that it began ex- Football will be the only Nightcliff took a lot of confi- They had a lot of attacking to cross for a hat-trick on the rugby league. tremely late. thing on Tabuai’s mind on Sat- dence from beating Palmer- structure and their defence right flank. And it’s all happened very “I started playing footy in urday, however. ston in a tight contest last stood up, so it’s going to be a Following the trial match, quickly. the under-18s,” Tabuai said. “All the boys are very confi- weekend. good grand final.” officials in white, red and green “I sat down the other day “I’m originally from the dent, but still relaxed as well, “I have every belief in the took little time to approach and reflected on the season Torres Strait Islands and grew it’s a good vibe at the club,” he boys,” Tabuai said. David Tabuai. I’ve had,” Tabuai said. up in Cairns, but I couldn’t play said. “Knowing that we got “After that game playing for “I’ve accomplished so much football because it was a strug- “The two teams are pretty pumped by Palmerston last the Army, Pagey (team man- coming from the Army, joining gle for my mum, being the only evenly matched. time we played them (42-16 in ager Kevin Page), (former club Nightcliff and from there get- income provider for our family. “But if our big boys can find Round 13), to come back with a president) Stem (Edwards) and ting the call-up for the NT Ti- “I came to Darwin three elbows and knees (to get quick full-strength squad and beat Roachy (head coach Daniel tans as an emergency. years ago and didn’t play until ruck speed) and set the plat- them last week, it has given us Roach) hit me up and asked if I “Then making the Com- I turned out for the Army form for the backs, I think we the belief that we can go again would be interested in playing bined Affiliated States side, against Nightcliff. I didn’t ex- can get on top. and beat Litchfield.” Litchfield’s Trent Wedding Chambers prepares Scott for GI storm Smith not looking to hang up boots WILL Chambers has taken a his latest brain snap, when he breakers Inglis and Dane insists a tirement at the end of the sea- to soldier on for a remarkable lead role preparing Storm unceremoniously dumped Gagai. “I definitely have got Storm premiership will not son. 18th season of first grade next young gun for his star Jarryd my hands full (against Inglis),” herald his retirement, with the Renowned as the NRL’s Mr year. battle with rampaging South Hayne in Round 23. Scott said. Queensland champion set to Unbreakable, Smith has bat- “At the moment, I would Sydney captain . It followed a two-game ban “It probably helps a little bit sign one final contract in his tled minor foot and back prob- like to play on,” said Smith, Chambers is two weeks into way back in Round 4 and a fur- Chambers is suspended, he can quest to become the first player lems this season, injuries that who shocked the code in May a three-game “crusher tackle” ther one-game dangerous con- be ‘GI’ this week (at training) in history to reach 400 NRL suggest Father Time is creep- with his sudden retirement ban. tact charge during Origin I. for us and get the tackle shield games. ing up on the 35-year-old iron- from representative football on Remorseful Chambers, who Unable to pay back the out. I’m looking forward to the Smith enters tomorrow man. the eve of this year’s Origin se- copped the wrath of Storm Storm in Friday night’s quali- challenge, I’m looking forward night’s finals opening against Leading the Storm to back- ries. coach Craig Bellamy last fying final, Chambers has to coming up against GI, if I South Sydney without a con- to-back titles could be viewed “I still feel I am contributing month following his third sus- worked with Scott, Cheyse want to get to where I want to tract for 2019, triggering fears as the perfect platform for to the side, I still feel well pension this season, also Blair and Sandor Earl this get to in my career, I got to the Storm skipper could follow Smith’s exit, but the 381-game enough mentally and physical- apologised to teammates for week on ways to combat game- verse these people.” teammate into re- stalwart has outlined his plan ly to go on next year.”

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