WANDERERS’ flagging NTFL season will get a big boost on Saturday when former North Melbourne midfielder Sam Gibson pulls on the blue and gold jumper.

Gibson will play his first Premier League game when he runs out for the 2.30pm clash with Palmerston at Marrara’s TIO Stadium.

The 32-year-old played 130 consecutive games at North Melbourne from 2012-17 and had a brief five-match career at Adelaide this year before deciding his time at the top was over.

Wanderers president Jerome Cubillo said Gibson’s time at Wanderers would involve Premier League football and working with the club’s junior and women’s list.

“Sam has a wealth of knowledge from his playing days at the elite level and we’re keen to get as much as we can out of him while he’s in Darwin,’’ Cubillo added.

“He’ll be staying in Darwin during November and we want to use his expertise in a variety of ways.

“So he’ll be right across the junior grades by staging a series of clinics and he will engage with the women’s sides at training sessions.’’

Gibson’s inclusion comes at an important time for the young Eagles, who are staring at a fifth consecutive loss since beating the Tiwi Bombers in Round 1.

A tough, no nonsense midfielder, Gibson will give the Wanderers forwards a close look at the football and plenty of opportunities to score with his hard running and precise disposal.

Cubillo is less sure of the effect Darwin’s heat will have on Gibson, with the 2.30pm timeslot a challenge for players from both sides.

“I know he’s a bit apprehensive about the afternoon game and the pace of the game, we’ll have to see what happens,’’ Cubillo said.