36 SPORT THURSDAY FEBRUARY 21 2019

“I’m keen to play with some guys that I usually play against”

The Bombers’ Jack Munkara battles Tiger Tyson Kidney Crocs on hunt for Bombers GREY MORRIS

THE Tiwi Bombers expect 22 Crocodiles to be snapping at their feet on Saturday night. In a reversal of the normal process when the crocodiles would be the hunted, the NTFL premier will be gunning for the red-hot Tiwis in the qualifying final. The Bombers have won six from seven since the Christ- mas break to be the form side MOVING in the finals alongside minor premier Nightcliff. Coach Brenton Toy said momentum and a sense among the players that there is a job they have to do has com- bined to galvanise the club. “Momentum is an import- ant thing coming into finals DAY FOR and the fact that we’re playing some good football at the right time of the year is definitely on our side,’’ Toy said. “The loss against Waratah three weeks ago is not an issue now we’ve finished third, ex- cept it might be a good thing having a loss at that time. SAINT “It might have sparked us into a bit more action I guess Thunder skipper Shannon Rioli with new signing Nathaniel Paredes at TIO Stadium. Below, Paredes on attack for St Mary’s Picture: FELICITY ELLIOTT/AFLNT MEDIA and that can only be a positive.” Like every club, headache GREY MORRIS time up here and have some lian football at 16. Originally an extra teammate working pills will be required with play- opportunities teaching in Tiwi. from VFL club with them.’’ ers outside the 22 who played NATHANIEL Paredes knew “I’m looking forward to and Gippsland Football Head coach Darren Reeves in the last home and away the time was right for him to going to the next level of footy League club Warragul, Pare- said it was not the first time he round desperate for selection. switch to NT Thunder. and I’m keen to play with des is in his final year of a had tried to sign Paredes. “We got through the St The 24-year-old St Mary’s some guys that I usually play teaching degree at Monash “He is someone I had en- Mary’s game pretty much un- champion signed a two-year against, but I have a lot of re- University. deavoured to attract to the scathed, so with Michael Coo- deal with the NEAFL club this spect for.’’ Thunder’s manager An- SANFL over the last few years, per, one of our best performers week that will lock him into Paredes is one of the most drew Hodges said the club had having seen the impact he was all year, coming back in, Ash- the black, white and ochre exciting players to have graced been able to facilitate an ar- having in NTFL,’’ Reeves said. ton Hams, Aaron Daniels and jumper until the end of the the NTFL in the past three sea- rangement that would see him “He is also of outstanding Jack Munkara all available, 2020 season. sons, all of them in the green in Darwin for the majority of character, has a desire to keep we’ll have to have a look at it “I’m really excited to sign and gold of St Mary’s. the 2019 NEAFL season. improving his game and we are and see what combination with the club,’’ Paredes said. He already has one NTFL “Nate is currently complet- excited to see him get the op- works best,” Toy said. “It’s something I’ve thought Premier League premiership to start of the Thunder season. ing his final year of uni and in portunity to test himself at “We expect a far more ag- about for a couple of years but his name and two Saints best Thunder’s club doctors the first part of the season we NEAFL level this year. gressive Southern Districts living in made it and fairest medals and should from Territory Sportsmedicine will see him preparing to play “He has been one of the side and they’ll want to win to too hard, so I’m happy to have feature heavily in the Nichols are working through a timeline from his home in ,’’ elite players in the NTFL for a prove last week’s loss to Night- sorted something out. Medal count. to get Paredes back on the Hodges said. couple of years and what has cliff wasn’t the real Districts. “We’re working through A broken leg sustained in playing arena. “We are working towards impressed me the most is his “I don’t think Shannon what this year will look like the Round 16 match against Born in Melbourne to par- his placement potentially ability to win the ball in the Rusca is going to be taking with my (teaching) study Southern Districts ended his ents of Chilean and Cuban de- being on the Tiwi Islands, contest and then often be the any chances in the finals se- placements and footy, but NTFL season, an injury that is scent, Paredes grew up playing which will be fantastic news for first midfielder to be at the ries by not playing his best hopefully I can spend a bit of expected to sideline him at the soccer and switched to Austra- our Tiwi-based players to have next contest.’’ side every week.” Demons planning to maximise Gawn in attack

JAY CLARK ’s men lock chance to continue his im- Adelaide. But Preuss will have after trading spearhead Jesse don’s preseason, because he horns with Collingwood in a pressive pre-season, which has to impress in tomorrow’s clash Hogan. turned up really fit and his MELBOURNE wants to swing practice match at the Holden catapulted the defender back against the Pies (who will be “We’ve seen when Max has competitive work in the ruck at superstar ruckman Max Gawn Centre. into the Round 1 selection mix without be- played forward before he can training with Max has been into attack for larger periods of Gawn, 27, is the most domi- after a disappointing 2018. cause of a toe problem) and the be a really hard match-up and very strong.” games this season after picking nant ruckman in the league, Melbourne nabbed the JLT games to secure a spot. he does kick goals,” Mahoney The new 6-6-6 starting pos- up ex-North Melbourne big but will spend more time deep 206cm Preuss in exchange for Melbourne football boss said. ition rule – which makes clubs man Braydon Preuss. forward this season when midfielder Dom Tyson with Josh Mahoney said the De- “So, bringing Braydon to start only six players in the two The Demons will unleash Preuss, 23, is picked to swap the aim of playing Preuss and mons liked the prospect of the club gives us the oppor- 50m arcs – could also heighten the new ruck pairing for the into the ruck. And speedster Gawn in the same team as playing the 208cm Gawn as a tunity to look at that more. Gawn’s height advantage in first time tomorrow when will get the early as Round 1 against Port dangerous marking option, “We’ve really liked Bray- the marking contest.

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