Toast Territory Thunder

[Chops_a_must]

I'm not here to brag or nothing, apart from my main club winning a flag today. Winning the first NEAFL flag, by 98 points.

But, whilst we reflect on our history, our lack of success as a club, I'd like to point out something our club has been a part of, and can be proud of.

In the early days, we were obviously enthralled with the talent and brilliance of some our indigenous players, under the guidance of an enigmatic coach. It was something long time Souths fans had known all too well, but WAFL follwers, more generally.

Neesham, and Freo showed the rest of Australia how good an indigenous brand of footy could be.

After his dismissal, he went on to form the Clontarf academy, and after nearly (remarkable in retrospect) losing funding to continue on, his program is an undeniable success story. It certainly is extremely effective in the Terrortory, and is the only way some kids will get an education.

Today, playing for the Thunder, were the first wave of a generation of kids that have grown up in the Clontarf system.

The Thunder team adopts the same principles - no study or no work = no play.

Jed Andersen, who will become well known thanks to GWS, is a Clontarf product. He absolutely dominated today.

The quality of the footy coming out of the territory, is rapidly improving - largely thanks to the Clontarf program.

And this year sees the entrance to the NTFL of Wadeye (the worst place on earth), followed by Katherine the year after. Joining the Tiwi Bombers as outposts of indigenous footy. The numbers will be made up largely of former Clontarf students.

And today saw indigenous footy coming of age, and if not, well and truly on the way to becoming so.

This is the end result of "Freo footy". Sheeds will tell you the rise of indigenous footy was all thanks to him. Well, he can go suck a **** because it started in the West. And mainly, it started at Souths, thanks to the Tiwi connection.

It is something Freo fans have been a part of. It is something we have been privvy to. It is something that we can be proud of, as supporters of.

The benefits to people's lives that these opportunities are providing, is beyond measurable. And without Freo people, it would not have been possible.


Cheers.

Chops.

 

[greatgatsby]

Cheers Chops - great post, and congrats on the Thunder.

 

[Chops_a_must]

Thanks.

Farrar, who I think I may have written about before, was absolutely brilliant apparently. Clontarf graduate, has improved massively in the last 12 months. Is about 20/ 21, and has the best leap and set of hands in the Territory. Took one of the marks of the century today (apparently). May catch some eyes.

Is about 195, has a good head, but is a tad slow. Michael Johnson "type".

The other is Ross Tungatalum. Would have thought he would be a lock to be drafted by us as a specialist forward pocket in the rookie list, with the pace requirements. But with Lyon, and already being at the Saints for a year, i'm not sure. Has been exceptional this year though.

Shaun Tapp an outside chance at a rookie spot. Good size for a KPD, 195 & 95, and has done some good jobs on quality forwards, but has questionale speed. Can lock down but is also decent on the rebound.

 

[Man of Men]

Top thread, cheers chops.
I really hope we do get Tungatalum

 

[Quokka]

And for every kid you hear about in the football world there's a lot more that have achieved high school graduations, links in to trades, employment or a dozen other benefits thanks to Clontarf. Great program and congrats to the Thunder .

 

[bballscout]

Thunder have a great side worthy of the QAFL title. Good mix of youth/experience including Andrew McLeod/Jason Roe/Ewing/Illett brothers.

Tungatalum may have blown his chance unfortunetly given he was dropped for disciplinary reasons in the prelim final. Biggest thing to happen in NT football to date today, huge win and happy for them.

Would be good to see some of the mainstream media catch on but will be front page tmorrow in Darwin.

 

[Chops_a_must]

Thunder have a great side worthy of the QAFL title. Good mix of youth/experience including Andrew McLeod/Jason Roe/Ewing/Illett brothers.

Tungatalum may have blown his chance unfortunetly given he was dropped for disciplinary reasons in the prelim final. Biggest thing to happen in NT football to date today, huge win and happy for them.

Would be good to see some of the mainstream media catch on but will be front page tmorrow in Darwin.

Unfortunately, didn't rock up for work. Would certainly fit in next to some of our players. They don't rock up most weeks either.

It has been front and back page news all week. Had special bulletins and everything. Pity it didn't get televised.

Anyway, even though we were minor premiers, we still had to go interstate for the grand final. Mistake, considering we would have had a guaranteed huge crowd. Instead, our supporters outnumbered theirs interstate, and were much louder.

Flights over this weekend to Brisbane had been sold out since the prelim win 2 weeks ago.

 

[vapours]

Would be good to see some of the mainstream media catch on but will be front page tmorrow in Darwin.

Will be second page, there was a sighting of a UFO abducting a croc today.

 

[Nickos66]

Cool story, cheers Choppah.

 

[BeinPurplenGreen]

I'm not here to brag or nothing, apart from my main club winning a flag today. Winning the first NEAFL flag, by 98 points.

But, whilst we reflect on our history, our lack of success as a club, I'd like to point out something our club has been a part of, and can be proud of.

In the early days, we were obviously enthralled with the talent and brilliance of some our indigenous players, under the guidance of an enigmatic coach. It was something long time Souths fans had known all too well, but WAFL follwers, more generally.

Neesham, and Freo showed the rest of Australia how good an indigenous brand of footy could be.

After his dismissal, he went on to form the Clontarf academy, and after nearly (remarkable in retrospect) losing funding to continue on, his program is an undeniable success story. It certainly is extremely effective in the Terrortory, and is the only way some kids will get an education.

Today, playing for the Thunder, were the first wave of a generation of kids that have grown up in the Clontarf system.

The Thunder team adopts the same principles - no study or no work = no play.

Jed Andersen, who will become well known thanks to GWS, is a Clontarf product. He absolutely dominated today.

The quality of the footy coming out of the territory, is rapidly improving - largely thanks to the Clontarf program.

And this year sees the entrance to the NTFL of Wadeye (the worst place on earth), followed by Katherine the year after. Joining the Tiwi Bombers as outposts of indigenous footy. The numbers will be made up largely of former Clontarf students.

And today saw indigenous footy coming of age, and if not, well and truly on the way to becoming so.

This is the end result of "Freo footy". Sheeds will tell you the rise of indigenous footy was all thanks to him. Well, he can go suck a **** because it started in the West. And mainly, it started at Souths, thanks to the Tiwi connection.

It is something Freo fans have been a part of. It is something we have been privvy to. It is something that we can be proud of, as supporters of.

The benefits to people's lives that these opportunities are providing, is beyond measurable. And without Freo people, it would not have been possible.


Cheers.

Chops.

Gary Dhurrkay would be so proud.

Those of us that have had occasion to work in certain places beyond the average suburban old blokes/Ammos ground know how true Chopsies post is.

Harry, well done, thanks for the update, keep us posted next year.

FWIW, as a southern follower of one of the established teams (Eastlake)that has had to play the NT Thunda, I can safely say that if the AFL can keep the cash flowing to the comp, and if we can keep top notch mentors and coaches involved

eg. Malthouse to coach three games of a combined Groot E, Nuhly, Weipeee, Hermmmmensberg and Wadeye side - Mick, if you care about Australia make this happen - Plus ITV broadcasts, and Marngrook etc coming in via ABC channels and radio
​

then we will have a great NEAFL comp going forward. We really do need to find a way to keep the indigenous brand of footy player involved, without caving into overly favourable advantageous placements.

Clontarf, NTAFL and most especially the Balzac footy show all reap the benefits of just a bunch of us regular blokes trying to just play a few games and be a few weeks with the fellas (and the sheilas) from the outstations.

Who is up for a genuine Freo BF crew road trip next NT/WA out-stations/SA out-station AFL season?? Those that can't come with us to play footy can arrange sponsorship and generate donations of basic health goods (facewashers, Q-tips for ear health, tissues, mirrors, dental gear, etc).

Seriously, if I provide the co-ord, try to kip in a bit of sponsorship, and make a ham fisted effort at arranging transport to 6 or 8 towns in the non-urban parts of northetrn WA/NT, is there a bunch of 22-52 (or older but don't wanna say it) fat old fellas willing to take 2 or 3 weeks in a swag out there in return for providing basic coaching, health, trade skills, etc to some young remote based ommunity groups? Anyone??
​

PM me, if up for it, no doubt lots of troll PMs to follow but I hope 10 or 12 genuine PMs might arise...

Oh, and just to be clear - no person, company or "city pub pop culture feelgood whitefella foundation" will be allowed to take advantage of this - no photos, no press clips, no Fatboy Hutchy, Big Nose basil, or "so-called legend but never says anything actually new Damian "failure glasses and make up" Barret".

BpG (and Balzac admirer).

 

[Chops_a_must]

The Wudapuli/ Nama Dockers in the Wadeye league. They've lost a couple of grand finals, I think. Interesting though, anyone from the ages of 14 - 50 will play in the one team:

 

[Nickos66]

Wow, looks like more grass on the other side of the fence than the field in that 2nd pic mate.

 

[Chops_a_must]

Wow, looks like more grass on the other side of the fence than the field in that 2nd pic mate.

Yep. At this time of year, there wont be any grass on the fields in the communities. And then a lot will flood.

So they have to play modified tackling rules (but you wouldn't want to anyway with the family/ tribal violence). Plenty of players still going barefoot too.

 

[Chops_a_must]

And whilst we're at it, the Tiwi Grand Final this year, with whities in the middle:

The Eagles lost by the way. And then proceeded to blame black magic. I don't think I've heard that one used as an excuse before... Probably got it off Harvs during his last fishing trip up here...