Matt Ryan, Reni Hicks and others selected for Northern Territory Football League representative sides

By Liam Nash

Dec 6, 2023

Given the call up: Nathalia's Reni Hicks will suit up for NTFL’s rep side in January. Photo by Luke Hemer

Northern Territory Football League’s representative squads are out and our talents in the Top End are in.

A selection of the Goulburn Valley’s finest football exports has made the grade for the January 24 exhibition at TIO Stadium, battling with Essendon’s corresponding VFL and VFLW outfits in the Darwin footy coliseum.

Nathalia’s Reni Hicks is the sole local product to get the tap in the women’s squad.

The Purples product has been in pink touch for first-ranked Pint and will get her chance to show off against the Bombers in the company of the best the league has to offer.

Scattered among the men’s representative squad is a cluster of homegrown stars or recent migrants to the Goulburn Valley League.

Feather in the cap: Former Tatura tall Matt Ryan has been picked in the NTFL representative squad taking on Essendon VFL.. Picture: Bruce Povey Photo by Bruce Povey

Ex-Tatura utility Matt Ryan, who also plies his trade for Pint, is in the mix alongside Waratah’s Jayden Magro, who set the GVL alight in 2023 for Shepparton United.

Nightcliff’s Ryan Nyhuis, originally from Mansfield and donned Tongala colours in 2022, is another to be selected.

Picola product Chris Baksh headed the committee as chair of selectors for the NTFL men’s side and was proud to fly the flag against Essendon in little more than a month’s time.

“I look forward to working with head coach Ryan Ayres and the rest of the selection committee,” he said.

“I’m proud to be a part of the NTFL representative team for 2024 and looking forward to building a side that showcases our diverse talent within the NTFL competition.”