Australian rules football in the Northern Territory

Australian Football in the Northern Territory (The Territory) (typically referred to by its official name "Australian Football" or more simply as "football" or "footy") is the most popular sport, particularly with indigenous Australian communities in Darwin, Alice Springs and the Tiwi Islands. It is governed by AFL Northern Territory. 18% of all Territorians in 2017 participated in Australian Football, the highest participation in Australia (and second worldwide only to Australian rules football in Nauru). The sport also produces more professional Australian Footballers per capita in the Australian Football League than any other state or territory. The Territory is home to several representative teams, most notably the Indigenous All Stars and the Flying Boomerangs. Both Darwin and Alice Springs have strong local competitions, the semi professional Northern Territory Football League and Central Australian Football League which draw a significant audience. A professional club, the Northern Territory Football Club (NT Thunder) was formed in 2008 and competed in the second tier semi national NEAFL competition. The Territory hosts two to three AFL premiership matches a year, currently home games for the Gold Coast Suns (since 2020). Since the first matches were played in the Territory (Western Bulldogs home games from 2004 to 2010) AFL attendances have averaged 9,320, however they have steadily declined from a peak of 14,100 in 2006 to under 8,000 while attendances to local competitions has increased. Following a 2018 scoping study, in 2021 the Northern Territory AFL taskforce launched an official bid to enter a team into the national Australian Football League (AFL) competition which is under consideration by the league for entry around 2030. The Territory briefly had its own team making its interstate representational debut at the 1988 Adelaide Bicentennial Carnival. Selected under State of Origin criteria, the team, featuring Maurice Rioli, Michael Long and Michael McLean went through undefeated to take out the Division 2 premiership with big wins against Tasmania, the VFA and the national amateurs team. However it has only ever appeared once. After taking over as governing body the AFL Commission merged The Territory with Queensland to create a composite side. The QLD/NT side featured only six Territorians and has not reappeared since. The AFL however created a talent pathway with The Territory fielding underage teams in the AFL National Championships which have won Division 2 titles at Under 16 level in 1999 and at Under 19 level in 2004 and 2012. Since the debut of Reuben Cooper in 1969 a large number of born and raised Territorians have played in the AFL. However a significant percentage have launched their professional football careers from other states, particularly South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland. Two dynasties from the Northern Territory have together produced numerous prominent footballers: the Rioli and Long families. Australian Football Hall of Famer Maurice Rioli was known also for his career in the WAFL prior to playing in Victoria. Perhaps the most accomplished born and raised AFL player is Hall of Famer Andrew McLeod. Fellow Hall of Famer Nathan Buckley is the only Territorian to win the prestigious Brownlow Medal. Darwin born Shaun Burgoyne holds both the AFL games and goals records for a Territorian with 407 games and 302 goals. Shaun Burgoyne and Cyril Rioli have played in 4 AFL premierships, more than any other Territorian. In the AFL Women's, Danielle Ponter (of the Rioli Long) family is the most prominent having kicked the most goals and played the most games for a born and raised Territorian.

Prior to separation from South Australia, during the 1870s and 1880s the local media reported almost equally on both Australian rules and rugby, there was a growing awareness of international rugby and also of both American football and soccer. Australian rules began to gain favour in the Territory late 1880s due mainly to South Australia's involvement in intercolonials with Victoria. Apart from the difficulties presented by distance and population, attempts to form a local football club were hampered by the lack of an oval, with the only available oval in being by destroyed white ants. Following separation from South Australia in 1911, soccer was the first form of football played in the Territory, against sailors in 1912, however there were insufficient local footballers to field a full team. Reuben Cooper Snr, an Iwaidja, is credited with introducing Australian rules football in Darwin in 1915 after learning the game while boarding at St Peter's College, Adelaide. The first rugby match was played on 3 February 1916, and an Australian rules match was also planned for that day but proved difficult to organise due to insufficient numbers. The first recorded match of Australian Football in Darwin was played in Saturday 12 February 1916 on Darwin Town Oval between Red and Blue (32) and Red and White (20). It was followed by a second match the following Saturday organised as a Red Cross fundraiser. The NT Football Association was formed shortly thereafter with its first regular competition matches beginning in March 1916. The Northern Territory Football League chose to play in the Northern Territory's 'wet season', primarily due to hard playing surfaces during the 'dry season'. Games were played on the Esplanade or Town Oval. Most other leagues in Australia operate during the winter, but since the Territory does not have a winter, it is played at different times. The Wanderers Football Club were the founding members of the league in 1916. Australian rules was introduced to Port Keats (now Wadeye) by Father Richard Docherty with the commencement of the local mission Werntek Nganayi in 1935. By 1940, football matches in Darwin were not only highly popular with the indigenous community but also highly multicultural with a high percentage of the crowd being Chinese. John Pye and Andy Howley introduced Australian rules football to the Tiwi Islands in 1941, which grew to become the most popular sport there. Within a couple of decades, the major Australian leagues began to take an interest with the first player offered a contract being Joe Saturninas in 1955 followed by the more successful David Kantilla in the SANFL and later by Maurice Rioli in the VFL. Today around a third of the Territorians in the national AFL are from the two islands. The Tiwi Islands Football League is a strong competition which feeds players into the NTFL. Skills of the TIFL players are widely celebrated. The TIFL Grand Final is the largest event on the island and a major tourist drawcard. The Central Australian Football Association began in 1947 and quickly became Alice Springs most popular sport. In 1954 the NTFL moved from the ageing Darwin Town Oval to the newly opened Gardens Oval. In 1974, the Gove Australian Football League began, establishing the sport in Arnhem Land and the Gove Peninsula. In 1988, competition began in the Katherine region with the establishment of the Katherine District Football League. At the inland townships of Tennant Creek and to a lesser extent Katherine, rugby league is popular due to it being established earlier (at Tennant Creek in the 1930s and Katherine in the 1960s) and the strong Queensland influence being close to the inland route between Queensland, Darwin and Alice Springs. Nevertheless, the Barkly Australian Football League was formed in 1991 to cater for increased popularity of Australian rules in the remote communities of the region. In 1991, Marrara Oval was increased in capacity, and became the new home for the NTFL and AFL matches. The first AFL pre season fixture between Collingwood and West Coast was played in February 1992 in front of a crowd of 11,000 spectators. In 1991, Darwin hosted the first Arafura Games, the first international competition to include the sport of Australian Rules, and local teams have competed against nations from around the world. The city has hosted the games since. Since the late 1990s, the Indigenous All Stars have captured the imagination of indigenous Australians in the Northern Territory, and have gained a huge amount of support.

In 2000 the Tanami Football League was formed in the Yuendumu region. In 2002, a record crowd of 17,500 attended an AFL pre season practice between the Indigenous All Stars and Carlton Football Club. However, in a deal struck with the Northern Territory government, Melbourne based Western Bulldogs AFL side has played several home games a year at Marrara Oval. The first NT women's league was founded in 2004 as a division of the NTFL in Darwin. In 2004, Alice Springs main ground Traeger Park was re developed and has hosted several AFL exhibition matches. In 2007, a representative side began in earnest a campaign to join a major league, the SANFL, WAFL or QAFL with the new team split between Alice Springs and Darwin. A decision was reached in late 2008, with the Northern Territory Football Club, known as the Thunder, formed to field a team in the Queensland competition from the 2009 season onwards. The Thunder now play in the NEAFL, an elite competition for clubs from Queensland, New South Wales and Canberra as well as the reserve teams of four AFL clubs (Sydney, GWS Giants, Brisbane and Gold Coast). In 2009, a league was established on Groote Eylandt which quickly became popular. In 2012, the Wilurrara Tjataku Football League was established due to the substantial obstacles faced by remote communities to travel to Alice Springs. In 2017, the AFL's Melbourne Football Club and Melbourne Cricket Club began a fundraiser to turf the desert football ground surface at Northern Territory home of the Ltyentye Apurte Community 80 km south east of Alice Springs. Completed in 2021, the softer ground helped establish a new league, the CAFL Country League Premiership. NT women will play a prominent role in the Crows team, with the teams playing under a combined Northern Territory/South Australia banner. There are eight clubs in the competition. As of the start of 2017, these NT teams have contributed the following players:
Wanderers: Sophie Armitstead, midfield/defender; Stevie Lee Thompson, midfielder. Waratahs: Ange Foley, midfielder; Abbey Holmes, forward; Heather Anderson, defender; Lauren O'Shea defender/ruck. St Marys: Tayla Thorn, utility. Tracy Village: Sally Riley, utility. Darwin Buffaloes: Jasmine Anderson, midfielder.

The Northern Territory was represented in early Interstate matches in Australian rules football, before being incorporated into the QLD/NT and then Australian Alliance representative sides. They won the Australian National Football Carnival (Div 2) Championship in 1988. At Under 16 and Under 18 level, the territory fields teams in the national championships. The Indigenous All Stars, a team composed of indigenous Australian players mostly from the AFL and all over the country, are based in Darwin. Darwin is also home of the Flying Boomerangs, the junior indigenous side, which has toured the world to play matches against other countries.

In 2017, AFLNT reported 44,729 direct participants in Australian Rules through official competitions or programs, which makes up 18% of the NT population. There are also around 15,000 more participants in AFL promotional activities. Around half of all participants are in non metropolitan areas of the Territory, and a growing 34% of participants are women. The Tiwi Islands is said to have the highest participation rate in Australia (35%) .

17,500 (2002). (AFL pre season practice) Indigenous All Stars vs Carlton. (Marrara Oval, Darwin)

The Northern Territory has produced a disproportionate amount of talent for elite leagues such as the Australian Football League and South Australian National Football League and West Australian Football League, including many indigenous Australian players. Australian Football Hall of Famers include: Maurice Rioli, Michael Long, Andrew McLeod and Nathan Buckley. Other notable players include: Shaun Burgoyne, Michael McLean, Daryl White, Aaron Davey, Cyril Rioli, Joel Bowden, Brad Ottens, Matthew Stokes, Ronnie Burns, Peter Burgoyne, David Kantilla, Jared Brennan, Matthew Whelan, Daniel Motlop, Richard Tambling, Gilbert McAdam, Fabian Francis, Xavier Clarke and Dean Rioli.

Player NT junior/senior club/s Representative honours AFL Years AFL Games AFL (Goals) Connections to Northern Territory, Notes & References Lloyd Johnston Wanderers, NT Thunder 2023 1 Raised in Borroloola (Yanyuwa) Jack Peris Nightcliff 2023 1 Raised in Darwin Alwyn Davey Jr. Palmerston 2023 1 1 Raised in Darwin Jesse Motlop Wanderers 2022 33 26 Raised in Darwin Maurice Rioli Jr St Mary's U16 (2017, 2018), U18 (2019) 2021 11 11 Raised in Pirlangimpi, Melville Island, Tiwi Islands and Darwin Joel Jeffrey Darwin 2021 4 2 Born and raised in Darwin Malcolm Rosas Jr Darwin, NT Thunder 2020 7 4 Born and raised in Darwin Keidean Coleman 2020 17 8 Born in Katherine, raised in Barunga Sam Walsh Nightcliff U12 2019 98 37 Played junior football Willie Rioli 2018 40 51 Born and raised on Tiwi Islands Zac Bailey Southern Districts 2018 79 72 Raised in Darwin Brandan Parfitt Nightcliff / NT Thunder 2017 95 41 Born and raised in Darwin Ben Long St Mary's / NT Thunder 2017 64 26 Born in Darwin, raised on Tiwi Islands Ryan Nyhuis Nightcliff / NT Thunder 2017 2019 17 5 Raised in Darwin Anthony McDonald Tipungwuti Tiwi Bombers 2016 133 157 Born and raised on Tiwi Islands Daniel Rioli St Mary's 2016 123 90 Raised on Tiwi Islands Jake Long St Mary's / NT Thunder 2016 2019 5 1 Raised in Darwin Nakia Cockatoo Humpty Doo Bombers / Southern Districts / NT Thunder 2015 38 30 Raised at Humpty Doo Jake Neade 2013 66 55 Born and raised in Elliot Jed Anderson NT Thunder 2013 85 29 Born and raised in Katherine Dom Barry Federal 2013 2018 10 0 Raised in Alice Springs Curtly Hampton Pioneer / NT Thunder 2012 2018 60 12 Raised in Alice Springs and Darwin (NT Zone Selection) Shaun Edwards St Mary's 2012 2017 24 10 Raised in Darwin Steven May Southern Districts 2011 179 23 Born and raised in Darwin Steven Motlop Wanderers 2011 212 228 Raised in Darwin Liam Patrick Lajamanu / Wanderers 2011 2013 13 6 Born and raised in Lajamanu Allen Christensen St Mary's 2010 2020 133 114 Raised in Darwin Troy Taylor South Alice Springs 2010 4 3 Born and raised in Alice Springs Relton Roberts Arnhem / Wanderers / NT Thunder 2010 2 0 Born in Ngukurr and raised in Katherine and Darwin Liam Jurrah Yuendumu / Nightcliff 2009 2012 36 81 Born and raised in Yuendumu Cyril Rioli St Mary's U16 (2005) 2008 2018 189 275 Born and raised on Tiwi Islands and Darwin Austin Wonaeamirri St Mary's / Tiwi Bombers U18 (2007) 2008 2011 31 37 Born and raised on Tiwi Islands and Darwin Marlon Motlop Wanderers 2008 2011 5 2 Born and raised in Darwin Cameron Stokes Darwin 2008 2010 20 8 Raised in Darwin Alwyn Davey 2007 2013 100 120 Born and raised in Darwin Nathan Djerrkura 2007 2012 25 8 Born and raised in Yirrkala Matt Campbell 2007 2012 82 79 Born and raised in Alice Springs Malcolm Lynch 2007 2 0 Born and raised in the Tiwi Islands Joe Anderson Darwin 2007 2010 12 0 Born and raised in Darwin Mathew Stokes Palmerston U16 (2005) 2006 2016 200 209 Born and raised in Darwin Richard Tambling Southern Districts 2005 2013 124 62 Born in Northern Territory, raised in Jabiru and Darwin Tom Logan Waratah 2004 2014 117 27 Raised in Darwin Aaron Davey Palmerston 2004 2013 178 174 Born and raised in Darwin Raphael Clarke St Mary's 2004 2012 86 9 Born in Yirrkala and raised in Darwin Anthony Corrie Nightcliff 2004 2010 56 50 Born and raised in Darwin Jared Brennan Southern Districts 2003 2013 173 101 Raised in Darwin Trent Hentschel Palmerston 2003 2010 71 94 Raised in Darwin Jason Roe Nightcliff 2003 2009 50 7 Born and raised in Darwin Richard Cole Pioneer 2002 2007 63 6 Raised in Alice Springs Xavier Clarke St Mary's 2002 2011 106 49 Raised in Darwin Shaun Burgoyne 2001 2021 407 302 Born in Darwin Daniel Motlop 2001 2011 130 208 Born in Darwin Patrick Bowden Rovers 2001 2007 75 70 Raised in Alice Springs Aaron Shattock Southern Districts 2000 2006 68 16 Raised in Darwin Matthew Whelan Darwin 2000 2009 150 15 Born and raised in Darwin Shannon Rusca Southern Districts 2000 2002 2 0 Raised in Darwin Shannon Motlop Wanderers 1999 2006 64 36 Born and raised on Tiwi Islands and Darwin Dean Rioli Waratah 1999 2006 100 91 Born and raised on Tiwi Islands Fred Campbell Pioneer 1999 2000 12 7 Raised in Alice Springs Brad Ottens 1998 2011 245 261 Raised in Katherine Peter Burgoyne St Mary's 1997 2009 240 193 Raised in Darwin Joel Bowden West Alice Springs U18 (1993) 1996 2009 265 171 Raised in Alice Springs Steven Koops Southern Districts 1996 2005 89 49 Raised in Darwin Ronnie Burns St Mary's 1996 2004 154 262 Raised in Pirlangimpi, Melville Island, Tiwi Islands and Darwin Mark West Darwin 1996 1998 16 3 Raised in Darwin Gary Dhurrkay Wanderers 1995 2000 72 66 Raised in Darwin Scott Chisolm St Mary's 1995 2000 81 33 Raised in Darwin Andrew Mcleod Darwin 1995 2010 340 275 Born and raised in Darwin and Katherine Robert Ahmat Darwin 1995 2001 67 68 Raised in Darwin Shawn Lewfatt Darwin 1995 3 2 Raised in Darwin Warren Campbell St Mary's 1994 1995 19 17 Born and raised in Darwin Lachlan Ross West Alice Springs 1994 2 1 Raised in Alice Springs Nathan Buckley Nightcliff / Southern Districts U18 (1983, 1984), QLD/NT (1993) 1993 2007 280 284 Raised in Darwin Adrian McAdam Southern Districts NT (c) 1993 1995 36 92 Born and raised in Alice Springs and Darwin Daryl White Pioneer U18 (1990), QLD/NT (1993) 1992 2005 268 165 Born and raised in Alice Springs Adam Kerinaiua North Darwin 1992 3 1 Born and raised on Tiwi Islands Fabian Francis Southern Districts QLD/NT (1993) 1991 2000 109 61 Born and raised in Darwin Allen Jakovich Southern Districts 1991 1996 54 208 Lived there, played in NTFL prior to AFL career Gilbert McAdam Southern Districts QLD/NT (1993) 1991 1996 111 89 Born and raised in Alice Springs and Darwin Matthew Ahmat Darwin 1991 1994 8 1 Born and raised in Alice Springs and Darwin Brian Stanislaus St Mary's 1991 1 0 Born and raised on the Tiwi Islands Michael Long 1988, QLD/NT (1993) 1989 2001 190 143 Born and raised on Tiwi Islands Kevin Caton Darwin 1988 1988 1991 18 18 Raised in Darwin Bob Jones Waratah 1988 1988 1989 20 2 Raised in Darwin Greg McAdam 1985 10 13 Born in Alice Springs Russell Jeffrey St Mary's / Wanderers 1988 1987 1992 50 4 Raised in Darwin Michael McLean Nightcliff 1988, QLD/NT (1993 vc) 1983 1997 184 40 Born and raised in Darwin Maurice Rioli St Mary's 1988 (3 caps) 1982 1987 118 80 Born and raised on Tiwi Islands and Darwin Kelly O'Donnell 1988 1979 1984 80 67 Lived there Reuben Cooper Darwin 1969 2 0 Born and raised in Darwin Elkin Reilly 1962 1966 51 2 Born in Alpurrurulam

Without a local AFLW club, the NT government had an investment partnership with Adelaide women's club between 2017 and 2019 and the club played home games in NT. Early in the AFLW many of the women's players started their career in Adelaide with the Adelaide Crows until the introduction of expansion clubs. As such there was a very strong NT influence in the early years of the Adelaide women's side.