Kyle Fitzgerald, who is playing alongside former teammate and Darwin legend Cameron Ilett at Nightcliff, took his place at centre half-forward for Nightcliff nine days and four training sessions after arriving in Darwin.
During the week Ilett announced he would be returning to Tongala for the 2025 Murray Football League season, but first he has the NTFL season to negotiate with his beloved Tigers.
Nightcliff faced St Mary’s in a replay of last year’s grand final in round one, losing by 21 points, but has won its past two games against Darwin Buffaloes and Waratahs.
Jack Sinclair had a little more time to acclimatise before his debut for Wanderers, but faced a pair of former AFL players in the opening two weeks.
Firstly retired Richmond star Marlion Pickett in the Tiwi Bombers game and secondly Steven Motlop (formerly of Port Adelaide and Geelong) at the first centre bounce of the Southern Districts round two game.
Fitzgerald had to contend with not knowing many of his teammates, as well as the hot and slippery conditions.
He started down forward (kicking one goal), spent some time in the ruck and also in defence.
“The game was very fast — the ball goes end to end very quickly. It was very warm and sweaty, but I really enjoyed the conditions,” he said.
Fitzgerald has been awarded one-point status by his adopted club, a commitment which indicates he may make many more appearances at the top NTFL level.
“Teams up here are allowed to allocate one-point status to five non-local players that have moved up here for the year, otherwise they are worth three points,” he said.
That was the case for Fitzgerald’s former teammates Coby McCarthy and Sam Cipriani last year, along with Kyabram goal-kicking star Anthony Depasquale.
Previous Goulburn Valley League and Murray league players have spent extended periods at the Premier League reserve grade level due to Premier League teams only being allowed to field a team worth 16 points (GVL teams can field squads worth 40 points).
Fitzgerald said he also enjoyed being able to watch Sinclair play, with his match being a day after the Nightcliff season opener.
“Jack played very well and was close to best on ground in my eyes. Really surprised me how well he went after just getting up here,” he said.
Sinclair’s Northern Territory Football League debut was made a little more challenging by his head to head battle with the two-time Richmond premiership player.
Pickett, 32, who famously debuted in the 2019 AFL grand final and only retired at the end of this season, is now playing with Tiwi Bombers.
Fresh from his 91-game five-season career at Tigerland he came up against Sinclair and his Wanderers team to open the season.
Tiwi Bombers won the game by 57 points, but Sinclair emerged with the points from his personal battle with the former Tiger.
Pickett had 14 disposals, four clearances and three inside 50s, while the Wanderers’ Tongala recruit finished with 25 disposals, five clearances, nine inside 50s and four score assists.
Sinclair’s disposal count was second only to Jaxon East, who was a star with Myrtleford in the Ovens and Murray League last season, and has played in the WAFL and finished with a game high 41 possessions.
Two other former AFL players, West Coast’s Ashton Hams and Tasmanian Sam Darley (Western Bulldogs and GWS), were also involved in the game with Tiwi Bombers.
Against Motlop’s Southern Districts team in round two Sinclair picked up 24 disposals, 12 marks, three clearances, six rebound 50s and a goal.
Motlop was a star in the 84-point win for his team, finishing with 34 disposals, seven rebound 50s and a goal.
Another Murray league player, Congupna premiership forward Jak Trewin, has kicked four goals for Wanderers in the club’s two games — it had a round three bye.
Sinclair and Fitzgerald are playing in Darwin alongside another Murray league star Bailey Bell (Pint FC) and Girgarre’s Brock Peirce (Waratahs).
