SOME of the most talented players in the Hampden league are spending the off-season expanding their horizons up north.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Port Fairy star Daniel Nicholson and Warrnambool trio Travis Graham, Darcy Graham and Sam Cowling have been playing in the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL).
The talented quartet have been playing for Waratah in the NTFL premier league.
Travis Graham has played three games, Nicholson and Darcy Graham two and Cowling one.
All four have been strong contributors with Cowling making a big impact in his debut last Saturday, kicking five goals.
Travis Graham said like many in the NTFL, the four have been fly-in-fly-out players.
“We will probably head back for another game just before Christmas and then maybe back for a couple when the season starts up again in January,” Graham said.
“The football is completely different to back here, it’s a lot quicker and more mercurial, players have that real brilliance, kicking goals from anywhere and selling heaps of candy.
“Things we do down here like feeding off a handball when you pick the ball up off the ground doesn’t really apply up there.”
Graham has built his reputation as a key forward for Warrnambool during a career that has yielded three premierships.
For Waratah he has played at full forward and also had a run through the middle of the ground while Nicholson and Cowling have played familiar roles.
“Moo (Cowling) kicked five goals straight and crashed the packs like he does and Dan played really well, he’s a classy onballer,” Graham said.
“I have really enjoyed it, I would recommend it for young blokes down here to go up and have a go, it’s a great experience.
“You get to play with so many different players and get to know people and make some great contacts.”
This is Travis Graham’s second stint playing in the NTFL having played for Palmerston in 2008-09.
I have really enjoyed it, I would recommend it for young blokes down here to go up and have a go, it’s a great experience.
- Travis Graham
His latest venture is providing the 30-year-old with a good base for the 2016 season although football at a local level is not yet on his mind.
“We’re building a house at the moment so to be honest I haven’t thought about footy next year yet,” Graham said.
The addition of the quartet adds to an already strong south-west contingent playing in Darwin. Former Terang Mortlake and Panmure onballer David O’Sullivan, former South Warrnambool rover James Hussey and former Port Fairy forward Jaydon Stiles have also played at Warath this season. Penshurst export Darren Ewing is an established star for Northern Territory Thunder and former Koroit star Simon Seddon is playing at Nightcliff.
