Territory young guns on the charge

THE Territory will enter next week’s AFL Under-18 Championships full of confidence thanks to a stunning five-point victory over TAC Cup highflyers Oakleigh yesterday.

Debutant Isiah Farrell-Nelson was the hero, kicking four goals and setting up Ezekiel Frank for the matchwinner in the 10.7 (67) to 8.14 (62) result.

The NT was outstanding in the first three quarters and took a 24-point lead into the last term, only to concede four successive Charger majors — and the lead — before Frank’s go-ahead goal.

Oakleigh won four of their first five matches this season. It is the second straight year the Territory has taken down a TAC Cup rival.

The NT starts its national championships campaign in Darwin on Friday night against Tasmania.

Coach Andrew Hodges said the win owed to an improvement in effort, particularly defensively.

“It was a positive performance ... we did a fair bit of homework on Oakleigh leading in and this morning, to understand what they do,” Hodges said.

“They feed the ball behind the contest and really set themselves up, but we knew what we wanted to do and played a bit smarter.

“The boys are pretty happy, but their focus shifted pretty quickly to Friday night.”

The result was even more noteworthy given top-line AFL prospect Brandan Parfitt (groin) was a late withdrawal.

Hodges said the injury would not stop Parfitt playing next week, but meant the Territorians were one short against the Chargers.

Farrell-Nelson, Rohan Armstrong, first-time captain Patrick Taban — whose reputation grows by the week — Jamie Hampton, Josh O’Brien and Lachie McKenzie ensured the NT scored the confidencebooster.

Exciting Sudanese-born tall Tony Olango, returning after battling osteitis pubis and shin stress fractures, also impressed up forward and in one brief ruck stint in his first match since October last year.

“We have a fair bit of belief at the moment that if we do the hard work we can get some rewards,” Hodges said.