Northern Territory head men’s coach, Chris Baksh said the team’s key focus leading into this weekend’s representative game against Glenelg will be firming up their understanding of each and every player’s individual playing style.
“The guys are working together really well and this week we plan to perfect our team dynamic and finalise our game plan that will help us bag a win,” Baksh said.
“We also want the players and staff to enjoy the lead up to the game.”
For the women’s side, this week is about focussing on key approaches and planning how the team wants to play the game against a strong side.
“While our approach to the game has a big on-field focus, having past players like Russell Jeffrey coming in and speaking about what it means to pull the guernsey on will be something the players treasure,” women’s head coach Tarmon Elliott said.
The week of preparation for both teams culminates with a Guernsey presentation on Friday afternoon, followed by a team dinner.
The Northern Territory’s opponents arrive on Thursday morning and are looking forward to the historical moment in football.
“It will be good to experience something different and a great opportunity to play against a quality side. We’re very excited to be the first club in the SANFL back up in Darwin after a 15-year break from Rep Footy, especially considering our strong connections with the NTFL,” Glenelg men’s senior coach Brett Hand said.
“We’ve brought up a more experienced side to cope with the different environment and we have a very healthy, strong group. We have really ramped up training over the past two weeks to prepare for the game. Our focus has been on contested ball method and ball movement. It is still early in pre-season, so it gives us a good opportunity to put into practice our training. Most importantly, it will give me a chance to watch the team in action.”
Women’s Senior Coach, Jason Fairall said a trip like this will provide many club building and team building opportunities that cannot be replicated in day-to-day operations. The benefit of this will set the club and teams up well for this coming season and beyond.
“Our players, coaches and support staff are looking forward to the challenge of playing against the best players from a strong competition. We have been focusing on executing our game plan at training, how we want to play in the different phases of the game,” said Fairall.
“Whilst we have made improvements so far this preseason, playing against a super talented Northern Territory side will provide the players and coaches with a clear understanding of where we are currently at, what we are doing well and what we need to improve on when under immense pressure. The timing of this game is perfect for us as we look to start our season in the next 5 weeks.”
General admission and Kantilla’s Members Bar tickets are still available online via Ticketebo.
Games will be broadcast by NITV and streamed live on the AFLNTv YouTube channel:
Red Tails v Big Rivers
When: Saturday 23 January 2:00pm
Where: TIO Stadium
Broadcast: Live on AFLNTv YouTube
NITV Sunday 24 January 1:00pm
Northern Territory v Glenelg (Women)
When: Saturday 23 January 4:30pm
Where: TIO Stadium
Broadcast: AFLNTv YouTube from 5:30pm
NITV Sunday 31 January 2:30pm
Northern Territory v Glenelg (Men’s)
When: Saturday 23 January 6:30pm
Where: TIO Stadium
Broadcast: AFLNTv YouTube Sunday 24 January 6.30pm
NITV Sunday 24 January 3:00pm
Other key activities this week:
- Glenelg teams arrive in Darwin
When: Thursday 21 January 8:55am
Where: MLLLC
- Media opportunity with Teddy Liddy who captained the Northern Territory team in 1985 and Peter Carey who captained the 1985 Glenelg team
When: Thursday 21 January 11:30am
Where: MLLLC
- Northern Territory final trainings
When: Thursday 21 January 5:30pm
Where: TIO Stadium
- Team Guernsey presentations
When: Friday 22 January
Where: TIO Stadium
- Team dinners
When: Friday 22 January
