TIP FOR NEW NT COACH

TERRITORY Thunder will have a new man in charge of the senior coaching duties on Monday and it won’t be a Territorian.

Southern Districts premiership coach and Thunder assistant Shannon Rusca, Melbourne star Aaron Davey and three-time St Mary’s premiership coach Rick Nolan all fitted the bill to replace the outgoing Andrew Hodges.

But the Sunday Territorian understands former Brisbane Lion Aaron Cornelius (pictured), who narrowly missed out on the coaching role with Tasmania’s TAC Cup side, is the bookies’ favourite.

Another applicant from South Australia is in the mix, with the official announcement expected to be made by AFLNT boss Stuart Totham tomorrow morning.

Rusca cited business commitments with his family’s earthmoving firm Rusca Brothers and unfinished business with the Crocodiles as reasons for withdrawing from the race after agonising over the decision for some weeks, while Davey and Nolan did not apply.

Nolan’s work as an airport fireman prevented him making the appropriate phone call to new Thunder general manager Hodges.

“Obviously my employ- ment there is long term, while you’re not a football coach forever,’’ Nolan said.

“Having said that I like what is happening off the field with Andrew Hodges as manager and Stuart Davies his right-hand man on the operational side.

“Both of those blokes are very good operators and I reckon the new bloke in charge will get maximum support from them.’’

Meanwhile, Nolan has watched his old side emerge from an early season rebuilding program to become definite finals aspirants.

“They’re going OK under Brent (coach Brent Renouf) in what is a very, very open season,’’ he said.

“Districts are up and about with Nightcliff and the Buffaloes have showed they can match it with the top sides.

“Nightcliff probably have to make the most of this season because in terms of a premiership window it’s time for them and they can’t afford to let another season get away from them.’’