NORTHERN Territory midfielder Roland Ah Chee stole the show in the Thunder's come-from-behind win over Tasmania on the opening weekend of the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.

Ah Chee, 18, collected a game-high 33 disposals to go with 11 marks, five inside 50s and six hard-ball gets.

His efforts were not lost on Northern Territory coach Brett Hand.

"He's been working really hard," Hand told afl.com.au. "His fitness has gone to another level from where it was last year."

Hailing from Alice Springs, Ah Chee left Central Australia when he was 16.

He moved to Victoria and studied at Melbourne Grammar, but has since moved to South Australia and is playing with SANFL club Norwood.

"The SANFL has been really good for him and he provides a lot of leadership for us in the middle of the ground," Hand said.

"His strength over the ball and his footy smarts also brings other guys in the game."

Ah Chee's cousin Corey also played for Northern Territory and now for Port Adelaide Magpies in the SANFL.

Ah Chee himself debuted for Norwood in round two but has been playing in the reserves ever since.

"I'm really enjoying my footy over there," he said. "It's a good club and they support me, particularly with [the U18 Champs], because they know how important it is to me to represent the Northern Territory.

"[Today] was a great effort by all of the boys really. We put our hearts into it and really worked hard.

"We've worked hard on our fitness in the pre-season, because obviously the Darwin guys are out of season. But there are a few of us from Alice Springs who are in-season at the moment.

"A lot of the guys who are out of season are working hard on the track, so it paid off in the last quarter, because we came through fine.

"I found space pretty well and kicked a goal. I was glad I was given the opportunity to play onball and run my legs out – pushing as far as I could go. It's a real self-esteem booster."