Retired #45: Anthony Munkara - Leaving the club, returning to Tiwi - 7/9

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45 - munkara.jpg
Contract Status: Out of contract 2023 (Category B Rookie) - Retired
2023 My Boy Draft: Pick 6, fishardansin
 
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Vindicater said:
The NTFL is great to watch live. Whenever I get up to Darwin I always make sure to get to a game.
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Came here to say he’s been playing well.

I lived up there last year. Night footy and it’s abojt 30 degrees. Sweating drinking beers and it’s beautiful. A lot of respect for the players up there.. it’s either hot or pissinf rain
 

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Vindicater said:
Interesting...

Thought for sure he would move and then stay in the NT.
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I have no idea what his living situation will be but.. a lot of blokes from the NTFL are fly in fly outs for vic clubs. A few in my local leagues are paid big coin and legit fly in on a Friday or Saturday and out that night or Sunday
 
dank420_ said:
Won a flag in some country league somewhere. Legend!
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Was that not Walla ?
As far as I can find Munkara only played 1 game for Warragul industrials and 16 games for Waratah in the NTFL (23/24 season)
 
yodellinhank said:
Wel, just on that, how did Munkara end up signing with the dusties? The rolling hills of West Gippsland seemed an interesting choice at the time. Was Mrs McDonald involved somehow?
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Not sure on the ins and outs of the signing but probably a side that flys a few in week to week?
 
yodellinhank said:
Wel, just on that, how did Munkara end up signing with the dusties? The rolling hills of West Gippsland seemed an interesting choice at the time. Was Mrs McDonald involved somehow?
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They had another young bloke from Darwin. Not sure if he stayed either but that is why he went there.
 

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Snake Charmer said:
Not sure on the ins and outs of the signing but probably a side that flys a few in week to week?
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Not Industrials. One of the bottom half sides in the West Gippsland league.
 
He could always produce some X factor. Have not payed any attention to his NT season so far. He is a guy who really should have been in the VFL squad for a few years before he was looked at for AFL level. Was a mile off when he was with us.
 
ant555 said:
He could always produce some X factor. Have not payed any attention to his NT season so far. He is a guy who really should have been in the VFL squad for a few years before he was looked at for AFL level. Was a mile off when he was with us.
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Yep early days he couldn’t get a touch.
But like Jayden got on the end of a few and ended up with a couple of multiple goals games. I felt he built throughout the year, but was a project player hence cat b listing.

At least we should get Nguyen this year. Although after his combine results he may go in the national draft.
 
King Patty said:
Yep early days he couldn’t get a touch.
But like Jayden got on the end of a few and ended up with a couple of multiple goals games. I felt he built throughout the year, but was a project player hence cat b listing.

At least we should get Nguyen this year. Although after his combine results he may go in the national draft.
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He had no endurance at all and no idea defensively so he was going to be a long burn. He would be stuffed after a couple of efforts.
He is a classic case of being drafted too early.
 
I think also the culture shock from moving from his home to the big smoke combined with the requirements of a professional footballer might’ve been a bit much.

Would’ve been way better to spend a year or so in an NT side before making the move to an interstate VFL side and just easing into it
 
yeh would be good if could have an arrangement with Tiwi Bombers where a couple of players can come down and do a 6 week stint in our VFL side. enhance the connection, live like professionals for a few weeks experience life living in melbourne.
 
King Patty said:
yeh would be good if could have an arrangement with Tiwi Bombers where a couple of players can come down and do a 6 week stint in our VFL side. enhance the connection, live like professionals for a few weeks experience life living in melbourne.
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It is something the really should do. Anthony spent time in Adelaide during his under 18 year and traveled over to us for the NGA stuff but my view is the NGA program should be extended so player likes Anthony or Jayden for that matter who are clearly not ready for an AFL list can spend a couple of seasons in the VFL before having to nominate for the draft. Clubs would have to expect bids on them but at least it would be clearer where they are at. If Walla was drafted straight out of under 18 and did not spend the time he did in the VFL then he probably gets cut after two seasons as well.
Munkara was simply not physically and mentally ready for AFL life. I think he is an example of a young bloke that needed to play VFL/ SANFL/WAFL for a couple of years until he was 21 and he had an idea around taking the next step. Jayden is the same. He could easily play at the next level down for 2 seasons while he matures and be a decent prospect to look at again. He is just not ready now and with pressure on list spots , even rookie spots , they do not get a lot of time. It highlights the need for either some sort of VFL/SANFL/WAFL program and / or more rookie spots so clubs can give them time.
 
King Patty said:
yeh would be good if could have an arrangement with Tiwi Bombers where a couple of players can come down and do a 6 week stint in our VFL side. enhance the connection, live like professionals for a few weeks experience life living in melbourne.
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Could also just invest more in making Tiwi an actual professional pathway/program. Players can have professional habits anywhere.

would certainly make adjusting to city life easier as the professional environment would provide continuity to normalcy.
 

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Retired #45: Anthony Munkara - Leaving the club, returning to Tiwi - 7/9

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