Ankers elevated to NT Thunder captaincy alongside Rioli

Star NT Thunder midfielder Abraham Ankers has been elevated to the NT Thunder co-captaincy for season 2019.

Ankers will share the captaincy with Shannon Rioli, who has led NT Thunder as sole captain since 2016.

Twice last season Ankers broke in to the top 10 highest individual contested possessions tallies in NEAFL history in a superb season, earning a debut NEAFL Team of the Year selection and elevating the Alice Springs product to one of the competition’s best midfielders.

Overall, Ankers averaged 26 disposals, seven clearances and six inside 50s, as well as kicking hitting the scoreboard with 16 goals. He was well up there with the very best in 2018, where he was ranked fourth in the competition for disposals, third for contested possessions, third for clearances, and first for inside 50s.

Ankers, who joined the club’s leadership group as its vice-captain last season, went on to win the Ilett Medal (Club Champion).

Rounding out the NT Thunder leadership group for this year are joint vice-captains; Joe Anderson, new recruit and former Fremantle ruckman Jack Hannath and Nichols medallist Phillip Wills.

NT Thunder Manager Andrew Hodges validated the playing group’s choice of leaders.

“It’s pleasing to have such a quality group of guys appointed to lead our club in 2019,” he said.

“All five are strong on driving standards, upholding the values we hold dearly and will continue steering a positive club culture into the future.

“We know our joint captains will lead from the front and to have both the Top End and also Central Australia represented is fantastic.”

NT Thunder kicks off its 2019 campaign against Brisbane Lions at home on Saturday night.