Southern Mallee Giant duo Brock Orval and Sam Weddell are playing for the Waratah Football Club in the premier league. 

Rupanyup Football Club trio Zack May and Dan and Chris Schaper played for the St Mary’s Football Club. 

The Schaper brothers only played one game for St Mary’s before returning to the Wimmera while May is set to play future games for the side.  

Orval said himself and Weddell didn’t do much sport over the summer. 

“We spoke to our former president who had played in the league before and got in contact with a few people and made the decision (to play in the summer league),” he said. 

Orval said the weather in Darwin has a massive impact on the game. 

”The hardest transition has obviously been the heat, trying to work 40 hours a week as a tradie, plus training three days a week and playing a game either Saturday and Sunday has taken 4-6 weeks to adapt to,” he said. 

“When we went for our first couple of training runs the ball was literally slipping straight through our hands because it was so humid and sweaty. “ 

Orval said the Warriors have been unlucky with injuries, they have won two games and lost three. 

“We are looking at making finals. (The style of play) is completely different to down south, it’s so quick,” he said. 

Orval said it is a lot easier to recover from a game in the Northern Territory league. 

“It is definitely easier to jump into an ice bath up here,” he said.

“We easily rotate four to five times a quarter.”  

Weddell has been playing a majority of his football across the half back line while Orval has been playing through the midfield. 

“This football suits me a lot better,” Orval said. 

“We have been so lucky with the club we have chosen because, just like back home, they were so helpful to find us work and accommodation. 

“We go to our vice presidents (Steven Kotz) house for tea once a week, they look after you pretty well.”  

Dan Schaper said this was his first time playing in the Northern Territory league. 

“It is a bit more of an outside game, once it is tapped out the quicks like to get into it,” he said.