Northern Territory Football Club


Northern Territory Football Club, nicknamed NT Thunder, was a Northern Territory-based Australian rules football club that competed in the North East Australian Football League between 2011 and 2019.

History

The Northern Territory Thunder were formed in 2008 and were invited to join the West Australian Football League but instead opted to join the Queensland Australian Football League. At the conclusion of the 2011 QAFL season the Thunder, along with nine other Queensland-based teams, were invited to join the newly formed North East Australian Football League. The Thunder finished the regular season with the best record in the Northern Conference and in doing so claimed their first ever minor premiership. The Thunder went on to prove their superiority by claiming the first ever Northern Conference NEAFL premiership by defeating the Morningside Panthers. A week later the Thunder defeated the newly crowned Eastern Conference NEAFL premiers, Ainslie Tri-Colours, to claim the first ever NEAFL premiership at Traeger Park.
The Thunder won two NEAFL premierships and entered a side in the VFL Women's competition in Victoria. By the end of the 2019 season however AFL Northern Territory revealed it could no longer justify keeping the club afloat, and announced its cessation from both competitions.

2017 squad

Honour board

Legend:

Premiers, Finals

Bold italics: competition leading goal kicker
SeasonPositionChairmanCEOCoachCaptainBest and fairestLeading goalkicker
20096thPaul TyrellStuart TothamMichael McLeanJarred IlettCameron IlettDarren Ewing
20104th†Paul TyrellStuart TothamMurray DavisJarred IlettCameron IlettDarren Ewing
20111st^Paul TyrellStuart TothamMurray DavisCameron IlettJake DignanDarren Ewing
20123rd†Lincoln JenkinJarred IlettDaniel ArcherCameron IlettJason RoeDarren Ewing
20137thLincoln JenkinJarred IlettDaniel ArcherCameron IlettCameron IlettDarren Ewing
20144th†Lincoln JenkinJarred IlettXavier ClarkeCameron Ilett/Aaron MotlopCameron IlettDarren Ewing
20151st^Lincoln JenkinBrendan CurryXavier ClarkeAaron MotlopRichard TamblingDarren Ewing
20165th†Lincoln JenkinXavier ClarkeShannon RioliCameron IlettDarren Ewing
20175th†Lincoln JenkinAndrew HodgesShannon RioliCameron IlettDarren Ewing

Honours and achievements

Premierships

Club Champions

The Grogan Medal was awarded between 2011 and 2013 to the best and fairest player in the NEAFL Northern Conference.
The Ray Hughson Medal was awarded in the QAFL until 2010, and in the NEAFL Northern Conference between 2011 and 2013 to the leading goalkicker.
The NEAFL leading goalkicker has been awarded since 2014 to the player who kicks the most goals in the NEAFL competition.
The NEAFL Rising Star was awarded between 2011 and 2013 to the best young player in the Northern Conference.
The NEAFL Rising Star has been awarded since 2014 to the best young player in the NEAFL competition.
The NEAFL Coach of the Year has been awarded since 2014 to the best coach in the NEAFL competition.
NT Thunder competed in the QAFL between 2009 and 2010 before joining the NEAFL.
Between 2011 and 2013, the Team of the Year representatives were from the Northern Conference. Since 2014, the representatives have been for the whole NEAFL competition.
The following is the list of NT Thunder players who have played at AFL level and the club they play for.
The NT Thunder club song is "We are the Territory Thunder".

Match records

Correct to the end of round 17, 2017
Round 18, 2010 – NT Thunder 29.19 vs. 8.3
Round 17, 2017 – NT Thunder 4.4 vs. 25.24
Round 17, 2017 – NT Thunder 4.4 vs. 25.24
Round 13, 2014 – NT Thunder 19.11 vs. 1.9
Round 4, 2009 – NT Thunder 20.11 vs. 23.18
Elimination final, 2014 – NT Thunder 7.11 vs. 5.6
Elimination final, 2014 – NT Thunder 7.11 vs. Ainslie 5.6
Round 4, 2009 – NT Thunder 23.18 vs. Redland 23.18
Round 18, 2010 – NT Thunder 29.19 vs. Broadbeach 8.3
Round 17, 2017 – NT Thunder 4.4 vs. 25.24
Round 11, 2015 vs. Sydney University to round 1, 2016 vs.
Round 2, 2010 vs. Redland to round 4, 2010 vs. Southport
Northern conference grand final, 2012 vs. Brisbane Lions to round 2, 2013 vs. Aspley
Round 20, 2013 vs. Redland to round 22, 2013 vs. Aspley
Darren Ewing, round 19, 2013