NORTHERN TERRITORY TEAM OF THE 20TH CENTURY

Half Back Line

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Right Half Back Flank - Scott Chisholm (St Marys, Claremont, Fremantle, Melbourne, South Fremantle)

Magical, mercurial, mesmeric, miraculous, marvellous - just a few of the words that might appropriately have been used to describe Scott Chisholm in full flight.  

Chisholm's early senior career was split between St Marys, with whom he gained selection in the 'Northern Territory Team of the Year' for 1992-93, and Claremont, where his pace, anticipation and sublime ball skills were ideally suited to coach Gerard Neesham's renowned 'chip and draw' tactics.  An attacking player by propensity and temperament, Chisholm found himself transformed by Neesham into a vibrant, running half back, instructed to run with the ball whenever possible, drawing opposition players towards him to attempt to tackle before releasing the ball into the space created, where a team mate would inevitably be waiting.

Chisholm continued to play under Neesham at AFL level in 1995 when the Fremantle Dockers took their bows.  The team's revolutionary style of play took the League by storm, and Chisholm's was one of the names most frequently referred to in order to exemplify that style.  After probably reaching his peak as a player in 1996 when he finished 3rd in Fremantle's best and fairest count, Chisholm's form and fitness began to deteriorate.  He moved to Melbourne in 1998 after 63 games for the Dockers, but despite playing some good games for the Demons in his debut season his lack of consistency and erratic kicking caused concern.  He played just 1 game for Melbourne in 2000 before being delisted.

Chisholm finished his senior league career back in Western Australia at South Fremantle, playing 30 games for the Bulldogs between 2001-3.

As with Gary Dhurrkay, the report card on Scott Chisholm - the man who went by the nickname 'Prince', because of his insistence that he was related by blood to the British royal family - would probably have to read "could have done better".  Nevertheless, his importance to the Fremantle Football Club during its formative years should not be underestimated, and neither should the quality of his play when injury free, and when enmeshed in a team pattern which harnessed and augmented his natural abilities. 

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Centre Half Back - Michael Athanasiou (St Marys, South Fremantle, West Torrens, Darwin - captain)

Arguably the Northern Territory's most decorated footballer Michael Athanasiou, who had already enjoyed a highly successful junior career, made his senior NTFL debut with St Marys during the 1980/81 season.  Twenty years later, as captain-coach of Darwin, he played his last match, having achieved virtually everything possible for a 'Top End' footballer.

In addition to his 20 season NTFL career Athanasiou also played 6 WAFL games for South Fremantle in 1985, and 44 SANFL games for West Torrens in 1988 and 1989.

However, it was in Darwin that the bulk of the Michael Athanasiou legend was compiled.  After playing as an on baller early in his career Athanasiou became an outstanding success when shifted to centre half back, where he remained for most of the remainder of his career.  A member of no fewer than 12 St Marys premiership teams, Athanasiou played representative football for the NTFL every season between 1985 and 1996, including the bicentennial carnival of 1988 in Adelaide when the Northern Territory won section 2.  On the individual front he won a Nichols Medal in 1990/91 having previously been a runner up in 1986/87.  Voted St Marys' best and fairest player on 3 occasions he added a Buffaloes club champion award in his final League season.

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Left Half Back Flank - Darryl White (Darwin & Brisbane)

Originally from Alice Springs club Pioneers, dazzling utility Darryl White  enjoyed an illustrious, 267 game AFL career at Brisbane between 1992 and 2005.  Capable of both the spectacular and the straight forward, White became one of several on field leaders in the Lions' formidable line up.  His deceptive strength combined with an extraordinary ability to get high off the ground enabled him to compete with taller, heavier opponents, while his pace and assurance at ground level made him equally adept when confronted by smaller, running types.

During his time with NTFL club Darwin, White represented the Territory in its 1992 Australia Day game against Geelong.

Although individual honours have eluded him, he was somewhat unfortunate in season 2000 when he led the Lions' best and fairest count after 16 rounds only to suffer a hip injury which kept him out for the remainder of the season; he eventually finished 4th in the count.

Despite not being prominent in terms of disposals, he performed an important defensive role for Brisbane in its 2001, 2002 and 2003 premiership sides.  

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