A Goulburn Valley League product has stamped his authority on debut in the Top End.
Shepparton United junior Jye Chalcraft lit up TIO Stadium on his first appearance for Pint in Northern Territory Football League’s opening round, racking up 26 disposals during a 12-point loss to Darwin Buffaloes.
The current Geelong VFL on-baller finished with 13 contested possessions, 12 ground ball gets and a goal as the Hoppers relinquished a three-point lead heading into the last quarter, eventually losing 13.12 (90) to 11.12 (78).
He wasn’t the only GVL product to star in the match.
Ex-Tatura forward Matt Ryan left with four goals, while current Bulldog Ethan Penrith was best on for Pint with 22 touches, seven intercept possessions and seven rebound 50s.
A trio of Euroa weapons were on the right side of the scoreline for the Buffaloes.
Lachie Hill and Nathan Stewart donned double-blues colours for the first time and joined Magpies teammate Ryan Pendlebury in sharing the spoils.
Hill stood out on his Darwin debut, chalking up 19 disposals and two goals for his troubles.
Another to feature among the goals was Shepparton United spearhead Jayden Magro.
The tricky forward fizzed through three majors to help Waratah along to a 19.12 (126) to 5.8 (38) thrashing of Southern Districts.
Meanwhile, former Tongala ball magnets Cam Ilett and Ryan Nyhuis powered Nightcliff to a five-goal victory alongside Shepparton’s Cam Wild.