Former AFL player Nakia Cockatoo is set to make his return for his junior club Southern Districts this weekend.
The ex-Geelong and Brisbane utility has been named in the Crocs' extended squad for what will be his first Northern Territory Football League game in almost a decade.
The Marrithiyel, Iwaidja and Yupangathi man announced his retirement from the AFL earlier this month after 49 AFL games for the Cats and Lions.
Cockatoo's father Jason is a Southern Districts great and former club captain.
Nakia spent his junior footy years at the Crocs and was one of the youngest players to represent the NT Thunder in the now-disbanded NEAFL competition.
A highly-talented junior, Cockatoo's best afield performance on the MCG in an U18 Allied All-Stars game led to his first-round selection by the Cats in the 2014 AFL Draft.
After showing plenty of potential during his early years at Geelong, Cockatoo was plagued with persistent injuries which limited his appearances at AFL level.
He was eventually sent to the Brisbane Lions, but would continue to suffer injury reoccurrences and struggle with continuity in his game.
Southern Districts face PINT in a 2PM game at TIO Stadium with swelteringly hot conditions expected.
It has been an up-and-down start for last season's grand finalists.
The Crocs rebounded from a disappointing 88-point loss to Waratah in the NTFL's season-opener by defeating a rejuvenated Tiwi Bombers by 11 points at home a fortnight ago.
It was a competitive contest last weekend against St Marys, but ultimately the Crocs would rue inaccuracy in front of goal and were defeated 13.6 (84) to 10.12 (72).
Former West Coast and Greater Western Sydney player Jarrod Brander kicked four goals last Saturday in what was his best showing for the club.
Ex-Hawthorn, North Melbourne and Gold Coast midfielder Jed Anderson has averaged 18.3 disposals and three tackles per game since joining the Crocs, while the club have been boosted by a handful of highly credentialed country Victorian recruits.
In other NTFL games this weekend, Darwin Buffaloes face Palmerston tomorrow night with a trio of former Brisbane Lions players included in the double-blues team.
Nightcliff meet the highly-improved Tiwi Bombers on Saturday afternoon at TIO Stadium, while Wanderers host St Marys at Tracy Village Oval on Sunday.
