The Thunder play in the North East Australian Football League which includes the reserves teams from AFL sides Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney.

Delahunty will keep Minyip-Murtoa as his home club and said he hopes to return to the side on weekend’s he isn’t selected to play for the Thunder.

Delahunty’s departure adds further difficulty for Minyip-Murtoa who lost best and fairest winner Pat Purcell earlier in the off-season.

Delahunty was scouted by the Thunder after playing several games for St Mary’s in the Northern Territory Football League this summer.

“The Thunder sort of reached out after half a dozen games at St Marys,” Delahunty said.

“With my cousin and one of my best mates John Delahunty coaching Minyip-Murtoa this season it was a tough decision to leave, but he has been really supportive and hopefully I’ll be able to get back and play a few games this year.

“I still want to be a part of helping them out.”

Delahunty said he was incredibly excited for the opportunity to test himself at a high standard of football.

“It’s a new opportunity to go elsewhere and play at a really high standard,” Delahunty said.

“It’s something that I’ve wanted to do for a while – I’m 25 and it was sort of now or never for me.”

Delahunty has now moved permanently to the Northern Territory and said he has been enjoying the move away from home.

“It will be great to be able to live in a different area of Australia for a while,” Delahunty said. “Hopefully I can skip winter completely up here.

“Obviously being at Minyip-Murtoa the majority of my life, this is a really good opportunity to get away and try something a bit different.

“To be able to continue to play a few games back home is a great part of it as well.”

Delahunty has been playing good football in the Northern Territory league so far this season, kicking five goals from his five games and getting named in the best on three occasions. 

“It’s a totally different style of footy, a lot more open and free flowing back home so it’s taken time to adjust,” he said. “But I’m getting used to it now and really enjoying it.”

Delahunty is not looking too far ahead when it comes to playing for the Thunder next season.

He said he is just looking forward to learning as much as he can from the professional environment.

“It’s one of those things you want to learn off the best to make yourself a better player and potentially down the line a better coach,” Delahunty said.

“At this stage I’m just looking forward to getting into training and putting my best foot forward.”