Best performance by a NT team for a long time.
2023 National Touch League (NTL) All Abilities (AA) Tier One
The Northern Territory (NT) AA team competed against some very strong opponents in their first ever competition at the national level finishing 3rd in the NTL AA Tier 1 Division.
The AA division allows teams to enter as a mixed team with no set limits on numbers however, NT were the only team in the Tier 1 competition that competed with 3 males and 3 females under traditional ‘mixed rules’ for the whole tournament. They scored points in every game and maintained their enthusiasm and commitment throughout the tournament.
Final Team Awards:
Keanu Fraser-Althouse received the ‘Players Player’ Award and also featured on TFA’s tik tok for a try showcasing his speed and agility.
George Maillis, was the 3rd highest try scorer for the AA Tier 1 competition receiving the Highest Try Scorer Award.
Tia Barba received the Coaches Award for her solid defence and implementing everything she had learned in training into the game.
Kate Copley received the Managers Award for her great cover defence and continued improvement from game to game.
Jordan Riddle received the Team Award in recognition of his positive team contribution and the calm manner in which he conducted himself throughout the tournament.
5 rounds played over two days with 1st and 2nd ranked teams straight into the GF.
The Tier One All Abilities division was the only competition where semi-finals were not played. Tries earn double points (2 points per try)
RESULTS:
Round 1 – AA NT Devils vs Brisbane Cobras – the raining champions of the Tier 1 competition.
16 – 4 to Cobras
Round 2 - AA NT Devils vs Hunter West Hornets.
25-10 to HW Hornets
Round 3 – AA NT Devils vs South West Queensland Swans, our first win for the tournament.
18-6 to NT Devils
Round 4 – AA NT Devils vs Sydney Scorpions, our second win in a try for try game.
16-14 to NT Devils
Round 5
Bye AA NT Devils
AA GRAND FINAL
Brisbane Cobras (10) def HW Hornets (8)
2023 National Touch League (NTL) Open Mixed
NTL 2023 NT Mixed Opens PLAYED Sydney Mets first game for the first time in years they drew 7 all, if we had more men subs I am confident we would have won. We then played Sharks who won the mixed open GF and lost 15 to 5 for the first time ever we were able to put 5 points on them and again just ran out of legs. Again more men subs we would have matched it with most teams we played, they only beat us only cause we ran out of legs. we did have a win against Vic in a drop off so good to have a win and a draw and put points in every team we played. Best performance by a NT team for a long time. as Coach I was so proud of the Team.
The Coaches award went to young Denzie Morris who didn't give up and always had a smile on his face. the players player female went to Asher Fisher Who played awesome ran holes like she had been playing mixed for awhile but it was her first time in mixed opens NTL. the Male players player was Hez Tamatea who was a ring in from Goldcoast little unfit but thank God he played saved us and wants to become a territory player from now on. Shout out to my two Captains Caleb Smith and Brendon Donnelly who lead the team with great confidence and last of all a big thankyou to Brendon for coaching the side to they come down. Thankyou to Ian Bateman for the support and very proud of our all abilities they were just to deadly precious moment when Denzels brother scores in front of the mixed opens and does them kangaroo ears made us all cry. Ive enjoyed coaching and will be back next year.
Mixed Opens coach Hank Solien
