FRIDAY MAY 13 2016 SPORT 29

SEA EAGLES ARE NOT HORSING NT team AROUND, THE BUCK STOPS HERE touted DEAN RITCHIE

IN a move guaranteed to further alienate fans, Manly will this weekend make sure the for NRL Broncos feel like second- class citizens in their own home. Even traditional mascot Buck will be booted out of his stable for the weekend. Having shifted a home league match to Suncorp Stadium as part of tomorrow’s bumper double-header, JACK HISLOP the Top End, creating a clear Manly are playing pathway for local players to hardball. NRLNT are preparing a bid to make it to the top level. Brisbane wanted to enter a team into the NRL’s NRL affiliated states man- have their own creature Platinum League. ager Martin Meredith is keen comforts but were denied The new competition, to see the NT involved. by the Sea Eagles, who which was unveiled by former “If there is a pathway there stand to make about NRL head of game strategy for kids and players in the NT $350,000 for the venture and development Shane Rich- then I think we should explore north. ardson in December, is de- it,” he said. Aside from taking over signed to strengthen the “It’s still in the early stages Brisbane’s luxurious home second tier of by of discussion; obviously for the dressingroom, Manly will revamping and extending state NT, we have the opportunity also use the Broncos’ leagues in NSW and Queens- to seek support of the NRL and warm-up and recovery land into all areas that play the then to put an application in to areas. game. participate in a platinum As the venue hirer, The blueprint opens up the league — that is the first step. Manly have told Brisbane possibility of -based If possible funding was made they cannot use their NRL franchises collaborating available and we were able to cheerleaders or have their with feeder clubs from further have NT programs included, mascot on the field. afield. then that would be fantastic.” Manly will fly their own NRLNT general manager NT Minister for Sport and cheerleaders and mascots Nigel Roy said the Territory is Recreation Nathan Barrett is north. Brisbane will also be looking to be included in the keen for rugby league in the unable to undertake “We need to turn it into night, have also let their The Sea Eagles will hold new NRL structure. NT to be developed to its full promotional activities on our home ground as best feelings be known. a coaching clinic at “There is certainly a desire potential. the plazas outside the we can. The Storm will play Brothers Junior Rugby there,” he said. “We have been “We are in constant com- ground near the Wally “This is an away game North in the League football club and a working hard behind the munication with the NRL, Lewis statue. for Brisbane for the night opening match of promotion at Queen scenes for an NT team to be in- however the reality at this point “We’re the ground hirer so they need to adhere to double-header, and have Street Mall. volved in the platinum league. in time is that the Platinum for the night so we get all the terms.” told the Cowboys they “It’s a great opportunity “The NRL are still going League is still at the concept the home-ground , the other can’t hand out Johnathan for us to showcase our through things and trying to stage,” he said. advantages,” Manly co-hirers of Queensland’s Thurston face masks talents to our Queensland work it out at strategic level, “I attended the 2016 chairman Scott Penn said. home of league for the before kick-off. supporters,” Penn said. but one thing for sure is that NRLNT season launch on the National Youth League Wednesday night and it was will cease at the end of 2017, so fantastic to hear from the NRL the time frame they are work- direct ... that the national body ing towards is possibly 2018.” is looking to develop an inclus- A successful bid would be a ive second-tier competition huge boost to rugby league in that feeds into the NRL.”

SEA EAGLES KNIGHTS TITANS V V V V BRONCOS SHARKS BULLDOGS ROOSTERS TOMORROW, 7.25PM, SUNCORP STADIUM SUNDAY, 1.30PM, HUNTER STADIUM SUNDAY, 3.30PM, ANZ STADIUM MONDAY, 6.30PM, CBUS SUPER STADIUM

Brett Stewart 1 1 Justin Hunt 1 (c) 1 Matthew Wright 2 Nathan Ross 2 David Noafoaluma 2 Nathan Davis 2 (c) 3 Sione Mata’utia 3 3 Josh Morris 3 4 James Roberts Pat Mata’utia 4 4 Kerrod Holland 4 Blake Ferguson Brayden Williams 5 5 5 Tyrone Phillips David Mead 5 6 6 James Maloney 6 Josh Reynolds Tyrone Roberts 6 Daly Cherry-Evans 7 (c) 7 7 Ashley Taylor 7 (c) 8 8 Josh McGuire Sam Mataora 8 8 Matt Parcell 9 9 Michael Lichaaa (c) 9 (c) 9 10 Tim Grant 10 James Graham (c) Ryan James 10 10 Lewis Brown 11 11 Josh Jackson 11 Body Cordner (c) 11 12 Chris Lawrence 12 Chris McQueen 12 12 13 Corey Parker (c) 13 13 Jeremy Smith (c) 13 (c) INTERCHANGE INTERCHANGE INTERCHANGE 14 Herman Ese’ese INTERCHANGE 14 Tony Williams Luke Douglas 14 Addin Fonua-Blake 15 Tyler Randell 14 15 Raymond Faitala-Mariner Leivaha Pulu 15 Brenton Lawrence 16 15 16 16 Siosaia Vave 17 16 Matt Prior 17 Kierran Moseley 17 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves Tom Symonds 18 Micky Paea 17 18 Eddy Pettybourne 18 19 Pauli Pauli 18 David Fifita 19 Craig Garvey 19

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