Darwin’s new boy Darren already on boil

DARREN Shillabeer’s postmatch summary of his first NTFL game for the Darwin Buffaloes had more to do with Darwin’s wet-season weather than any deeds he performed on the field.

“Mate, it wasn’t hot out there, it was boiling,’’ he told the NT News after booting four goals in the Buffaloes’ 33-point loss to Southern Districts at Norbuilt Oval.

Shillabeer, 27, played with Buffalo pair Matt Campbell and Cameron Stokes at North Adelaide and wanted to test the Darwin heat in search of a game of footy.

“I spent a couple of years in the SANFL with North Adelaide when Matty and Stokesy were there and Todd Miles is a good mate of mine,’’ he said.

“Todd played up here last year with Alan Obst and while he’s keen to have a kick again, Obst is struggling with his knee so we might not see him.

“So hopefully we can get Todd up here in the next couple of weeks, I’d rather be playing footy up here than going back to Port Augusta and play cricket in 40C heat,’’ that’s for sure.’’

Shillabeer smiled when told his height (195cm) and experience would be invaluable in a Buffalo side full of mediumsized runners.

“They’ve got some small boys who are pretty lively and do a bit with the footy, that’s for sure,’’ he said. “Hopefully I can give them a bit more with some work under my belt.

“The signs are good right through the team. Obviously it’s my first time here and I thoroughly enjoyed it, apart from being spent at the end.

“They’ve got a good attitude and we only went down by five goals in the end. There was no arguing or the players getting stroppy, which is a good sign in any footy club.’’

Shillabeer wants to play a lot more footy in a double blue jumper.

“I work in the prison system back home which means I’m a shift worker, but I’ll have a chat to Motty (coach Mark Motlop) about what we can do, but I’m pretty keen to come up over the next couple of weeks,’’ he said. “If I can make that four weeks I’ll be laughing, it’s a great place to play footy.’’