Tiwi Bombers - bouncing back

was Kim Kantilla
a blitz favourite a year or two ago for mid season draft or SSP?

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Was at TIO watching the bombers today. Can confirm that Kim Kantillia is a bonified gun. Some of the stuff he was doing was electric

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Can only be good news some renewed focus on support of Tiwi Bombers. Would love to see a few grads from up north get a shot at our VFL/VFLW programmes over next few years and unearth a new Longy or Tippa. Munkara one who I hope we’ve not heard the last of either.

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The men and women games were spread over two days “last year” (Jan 2023).

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This is great!

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We’d back him in as a project player that needs time to adapt…… to then delist him within 12 months.

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This should have been done years ago. In fact, we had been talking about it for years.

Hopefully Munkara comes back to play VFL for us…. To give himself another opportunity.

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Thats good news hopefully makes us competitive for that match, but probably allows for further time to find VFL recruits before season start.

Short video at link:

Essendon welcomed coaches from the Tiwi Bombers football program to the NEC Hangar for their Tiwi Coaching Exchange through the month of May.

Tiwi Bombers Women’s Coach Leonie (Lilly) Carpenter and Aunty Mary Dunn were able to work closely with AFLW Senior Coach Natalie Wood and AFL Assistant Coach Daniel Giansiracusa over the course of a week, shadowing training sessions and seeing the inner day-to-day workings of our football department.

The program has been run in collaboration with Coles, whose support of the club’s initiatives in the Tiwi Islands has been integral over the past five years, providing opportunities in the health and nutrition space for the community.

The two-way exchange has strengthened Essendon’s long-standing relationship with football programs in the NT, following on from the club’s VFL and VFLW squads venturing north for practice games and community activations in February this year.

While the Tiwi Coaches acquired skills in talent identification and high performance, Essendon’s football staff also gained an understanding of how to better resource and support Indigenous players transitioning into an AFL environment.

“It’s the collaboration around what hopefully they can learn from us, but more importantly what we can learn going back the other way,” Giansiracusa said.

"The club’s had a proud history with that connection (to Tiwi), and without Coles’ support and help, it doesn’t happen.”

With women’s football participation rates surging in the NT, the Tiwi Coaches’ immersion in Essendon’s AFLW program will help to develop the next generation of male and female footballers in the community.

Essendon Strategy and Growth Lead Kristen Bull praised the long-term benefits of the programs.

“The Tiwi Coaches Exchange Program provides fantastic learnings for both parties,” Bull said.

“From a football and performance perspective, Lilly and Mary can channel so much of what they’ve learned into the Tiwi football programs and make a real difference in boosting their own teams.

“Having them both involved in our football department has given us a first-hand look at how we can continue to support our community and pathways programs and we’ve taken a lot away from the experience.

“Coles’ support of our First Nations programs has been immense. They’re playing a massive part in helping both us and the Tiwi Bombers, helping to deliver positive community outcomes.”

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You just know that after we have put time and resources into them and it looks like bearing some fruit the AFL will add a NT team to the comp :face_with_symbols_over_mouth::face_with_symbols_over_mouth::face_with_symbols_over_mouth:

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Documentary about the Tiwis who played in our VFLW team. The general cinema release data is 17th October, but it will feature in a few festivals before then (world premiere tomorrow at MIFF).

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Let’s hope so.

Tiwi Bombers are excited to announce Richmond Premiership Hero Marlion Pickett will join the club this season.
Marlion’s football journey is an amazing story of persistence where he made his AFL debut in the 2019 AFL Grand Final at age 27.
We are fortunate to also welcome his partner Jess Nannup who is a star footballer in her own right and will play for our Women’s Premier League team.
Jess won the Best & Fairest for Moonee Valley when she played under Women’s Coach Dean Rioli in Melbourne.
We welcome Marlion and Jess and their beautiful children Marlion Jnr, Latrell, Shaniquae and Levi into our Tiwi Community.

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Two great pick ups for the Tiwi club. Canny recruiting. It is obvious they have been talking to him for a while, very proactive recruiting.

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Do they have extradition from Tiwi to Perth ?

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Hopefully the Tiwi crew are able to impart some knowledge on our coaches to boost their skills