The Northern Territory news Wed 22 Aug 2018
NT news
The Northern Territory news; NewspaperNT
2018-08-22
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English
Community newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Darwin; Australian newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Darwin
News Corp Australia
Darwin
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News Corp Australia
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2019C00042
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/301480
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/368561
46 SPORT WEDNESDAY AUGUST 22 2018 NTNE01Z01MA - V1 PALMERSTON was truly tested only twice throughout the 2018 NRL NT regular season and on both occasions Litchfield was the challenger. So its only fitting the two sides will meet in Saturdays major semi-final. The Raiders enter the play-offs with their Palmerston Raiders player Stefan Dippel heads for the line against Nightcliff Picture: KERI MEGELUS Unbeaten Raiders wary of Bears challenge undefeated record intact and, realistically, its going to take a huge effort from the Bears to threaten it. But the rural club believes its possible, and Daniel Keelan is cautious. We are wary of Litchfield and how they are going, Palmerstons coach told the NT News. They are talking it up, saying they are going to beat us, so they are confident, but so are we. The boys are fit, ready to go and are up for a challenge. This time last year, the Raiders entered the semi-finals in exactly the same position as undefeated minor premiers. What came next is something they dont want repeated. We did the same thing, went in undefeated and went out in straight sets, which made us a laughing stock, Keelan said. But no one is going on holidays this year; the boys have the right attitude and will show that on Saturday night. Keelan said the key for his side would be limiting the impact of Litchfields Frank Johnson Medallists, Luke Mahood and Matt Goodfellow. Hoody did a great job for them last week in the middle against Nightcliff and Matty Goodfellow orchestrated everything, he said. A RECENTLY departed NTRU employee has cast doubt over the validity of new CEO Tamie Needhams appointment. Bryn Templeman yesterday told the NT News the decision to install Needham as the new boss of Territory union had to be questioned because, when hired by the NTRU board, she was a member of it. Its about the whole appointment procedure, said Templeman, who left his role as a pathway development officer earlier this month. (Needham) was an NTRU board member when the board was interviewing for the role. How can four board members back to him, or want him involved, Templeman said. The fact (Needham) was a board member and there was no one else on the interview panel that could verify that she was the right person for Former staffer hits out at NTRU hiring she has worked with interview one of their own and say that shes the right person for the job. For me, it doesnt add up. As far as I know, she also had a role in the axing of (former CEO Mark Heath) and has then applied for the job, and the board has given it to her. Templeman said at least one independent person needed to be a part of the process to appoint a new CEO. From what I have been told, Cameron Tradell from Rugby Australia had offered to come up to NT Rugby while the process was being underdone to help with the interview process, but (NTRU chairman) Dan Bree didnt get the job it means there is always going to be doubt in the minds of most people in the rugby community. Bree said the decision not to renew Heaths contract was a unanimous decision by NTRUs nine-member board, made without any preconceived views on a replacement. When the board were advised that Tamie Needham was considering applying for the role, she was immediately excluded from all further involvement in the recruitment process and communications about it, Bree said. We are delighted that Tamie Needham has accepted the CEO role and have every confidence that she will bring enormous energy and passion. Bree said Rugby Australia had always respected NTRUs autonomy to undertake its own recruitment processes. There was never any discussion about a Rugby Australia representative needing to be on the interview panel, he said. We have been in regular communication with Rugby Australia throughout the period since the departure of our former CEO. Needham rejected the suggestion she had a conflict of interest when asked by the NT News. I wasnt involved in all of the conversations (regarding Heaths contract), she said. JACK HISLOP We have been in regular communication with Rugby Australia N T R U C H A I R M A N D A N B R E E JACK HISLOP Scott still a Cat in 22 GEELONG and coach Chris Scott have agreed to terms on a new deal that ties him to the AFL club until the end of the 2022 season. The Cats announced Scott, who was contracted for next year, signed a three-year contract extension on Monday. Since he arrived at the end of the 2010 season, Geelong have won the 2011 premiership, reached the finals six times in seven attempts and are on the verge of playing finals again this season. Its a commitment to the path that were on as a group, Scott said. We have been through a period probably over the past seven or eight years of transitioning our list (but) when we look at the possibilities in front of us its really exciting. If Scott sees out the term of his new deal he will be second only to club great Reg Hickey in the number of games coached, pushing Mark Thompson to third. Swans SOS to Buddy for Hawks SYDNEY will pull out all stops to get Lance Franklin on the park for Saturday nights blockbuster against Hawthorn, with the Swans putting a premium on clinching a top-four berth. Franklin is nursing a tight groin but given he has only trained for 20 minutes all season, playing hurt has become second nature for the superstar forward this season. If the Swans fate for the finals was already set in stone, its hard to imagine Franklin being risked for this weekend when theres a bye to follow. However, the fact Sydney is playing off against the Hawks for an all-important top-four finish has heightened the stakes and made the Swans virtually desperate for Franklin to push through. The Western Bulldogs famously won the flag from outside the top four, but as far as Swans coach John Longmire is concerned, securing two bites of the cherry in the playoffs is absolutely critical. Longmire says he has enormous faith in Franklin. Were certainly hopeful and if anyone can play we tend to back Buddy in because hes just got the ability to get himself up week in and week out, said Longmire. Lance Franklin