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THUNDER CAMP A SUCCESS

The Tattersalls Territory Thunder held a development camp in Melbourne recently. The camp was used to finalize the squad to represent the NT at the NAB AFL Under 18 Division 2 National Championships, which will be held in Melbourne from May 7 – 13.

A squad of 34 players assembled in Melbourne on Friday April 18 for a three day training camp. NT players currently based in Darwin, Alice Springs, Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne were in attendance.

24 players were involved in a TAC Cup invitation match against the Western Jets who are currently in the top 4 in the Under 18 TAC Cup. The Tattersalls Territory Thunder were defeated by 34 points after trailing by only 9 at ¾ time. Wanderer’s Steven Motlop kicked three goals while St Mary’s Ross Tungatalum and Alice Springs West’s Scott Taylor were among the best players on the day. Despite the loss the coaching staff were very happy with the how the players adapted to the new game plan and bar some inaccurate kicking was competitive with one of the top 4 sides in the TAC Cup.

While the players completed their rehab session, the coaching staff watched Melbourne Grammar v Xavier College in an APS match which featured six potential Thunder players. These players are Rob Hale, Patty Heenan, Anthony Long, Steven May, Casey and Roland Ah Chee.

The squad was joined by the six players from the APS game, Shannon Rioli from Scotch College and two further Adelaide based players after they completed their SANFL commitments.

On Sunday morning the whole squad was able to train together for the first time and work through some match strategies. The squad also came up with their ‘trademarks’ of how they want to be remembered in 2008.

In the afternoon, all players and coaching staff went to the Melbourne v Carlton game at the MCG to cheer on former Thunder team mate Austin Wonaeamirri.

The camp concluded after dinner and all players made their way back to various bases around the country.

Scores;

Goal Kickers; S. Motlop 3, K. McBean 2, D. Gordon, J. Beugelaar, M. Rosier, R. Tungatalum, C. Hampton, M. Cunningham, K. Smith

Best Players; R. Tungatalum, S. Taylor, P. Liddle, S. Motlop, K. Smith, C. Hampton