The top interstate players in the 2023-24 NTFL season
From former AFL stars to some of the best state league players, we take a look at the top interstaters from across the country in the NTFL this season. See the list.
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The NTFL has always been home to plenty of talented local players, but in recent years a sharp increase in interstate talent has made its way north for the competition.
Whether they are former AFL players or state league stars looking to take advantage of the separate season, players from every state have made the NT their home of footy during the summer months.
In recent years we’ve seen footballing legends such as Eddie Betts and Gary Ablett Jr grace the league, and this season is no different with plenty of AFL names making their presence known.
Check out just some of the interstate players making an impact in the 2023-24 NTFL season.
Baxter Mensch (Darwin Buffaloes)
The Torquay player very quickly found his rhythm in the NTFL in the 2022-23 season as a near-constant around the ball for Palmerston.
Has slotted straight into the Buffaloes midfield this season, where he picked up a significant 41 possessions in Round 1.
Ryan Pendlebury (Darwin Buffaloes)
It’s been a big year for the Pendlebury family, but while Collingwood has benefited from Scott the Buffaloes have enjoyed constant service from Ryan.
A player who just seems to have more time when he has his hands on the ball than anyone else, and an asset wherever he’s used in the Buffs’ line up.
Rhys Mathieson (Darwin Buffaloes)
The 72-gamer for the Brisbane Lions had a brilliant start to life in the NTFL, with 38 possessions and 11 clearances making him a standout in Round 4.
He will continue to service the Buffs as a fly-in this season as he eyes his footy move for the southern season.
Mitch Robinson (Darwin Buffaloes)
First came to the Double Blue in the 2022-23 NTFL season, and has been an explosive presence ever since.
Formerly of Carlton and later the Lions, the Tasmanian knows how to kick a goal when needed, or bomb it long out of midfield to give his forwards every chance of a score.
Brodie Filo (Nightcliff Tigers)
Filo has truly made his name in the NTFL in recent years having won three premierships and two best and fairest Nichols medals with the Nightcliff Tigers.
He first made a name for himself for the Eaglehawk Football Club in the Bendigo league as a junior player who helped his side to a famous flag in 2007.
Cody Szust (Nightcliff Tigers)
The Port Adelaide SANFL player took his chance to follow some of his squad mates north to play in the NTFL and make a spot for himself at Tigers.
Scored five goals in his Top End debut as Nightcliff’s efficient use of the ball saw off Wanderers in the second round.
Cooper Dahms (Nightcliff Tigers)
The Central Districts junior with SANFL experience is another newcomer to the NTFL and has had a strong start to his time at Nightcliff.
Has been particularly electric at Nightcliff Oval getting plenty of the ball in a best on ground performance against Palmerston and scoring four goals the week after against Buffaloes.
Mitchell Norton (Nightcliff Tigers)
A back line player from Nuriootpa in the Barossa Light and Gawler Football Association who has been improving week after week for Nightcliff.
Had a standout showing when the Tigers played Southern Districts in Round 8 keeping former AFL player Jarrod Brander to just two goals earning himself a best on ground nod.
Brett Kennedy (Nightcliff Tigers)
Nightcliff’s leading goal kicker at the halfway point of the season and a good user of the footy when he gets his hands on it.
Started his footy career in South Australia playing for South Adelaide in the SANFL, before coming north in the 2022-23 season where he won the NTFL Reserves comp with Banks Bulldogs.
Lucas Edmonds (Palmerston Magpies)
Edmonds was a St Bernards junior in the Western Region Football League and has gone on to play for the club in the VAFA.
A true standout for Palmerston in the opening rounds of the season having been named among their best players every time he has taken to the field.
Ashton Hams (Palmerston Magpies)
The former West Coast Eagles and South Fremantle star has long been one of the standouts of the NTFL whether playing for Tiwi, Banks or more recently Palmerston.
His side may not be on a winner in the 2023-24 season, but his experience and leadership is plenty of help to the side’s younger players, and he still has what it takes for the odd 40+ touch game.
Elliott Chalmers (PINT)
Boasting SANFL pedigree with both Glenelg and more recently North Adelaide, Chalmers has been a standout for the Greenants over the past few seasons.
Usually a game changer in the midfield he has helped PINT to a strong start to life in the NTFL Premier League.
Matt Ryan (PINT)
The Greenants captain has been a mainstay at the club since his pre-Premier League arrival in 2019, but he started his senior footballing journey in the GOTAFE Golburn Valley League.
The skipper has been a club standout through their first two years in the competition, and is currently close to the top in the 2023-24 goal kicking stats.
Lochie O’Brien (PINT)
The former Carlton player made his first appearance for PINT in Round 9 where he scored a goal and was named in his side’s best.
Prior to his 60-game AFL career he attended Geelong Grammar School and was picked up by the Bendigo Pioneers to play in the TAC Cup.
Connor McDonald (PINT)
The man who played most of his junior footy for Noosa in Queensland has been a frequent performer for the Greenants this season.
Was most impressive in his side’s tight victories against Nightcliff and Waratah early in the year and earned himself selection into the NTFL rep squad as a result.
Matthew Dennis (Southern Districts)
Arguably the best ruck in local footy, and certainly the premier ruck in the NTFL over a long period whether at Palmerston or Southern Districts.
There are few men who can match Dennis in the middle at his best, and his cupboard full of best and fairest medals from across the country prove that.
Matthew Johnston (Southern Districts)
One of the many Ballarat connections in the NTFL for this season, coming in to bolster the Districts midfield and feed his forwards.
Had his best game so far in the red, white and black against PINT with 30 possessions, six tackles and two scoring assists.
Jarrod Brander (Southern Districts)
The former West Coast and GWS player originally from the Bendigo Pioneers has popped in as the full forward for Southern Districts in the 2023-24 season.
His big boot has already started to pay dividends for the Crocs booting multiple goals to put himself hight on the table.
Jake McQueen (Southern Districts)
A talented midfielder who started his footballing career in the Wimmera Football Netball League, before getting his chance in the VFL for both Southport and Essendon.
Has been a mainstay for Southern Districts for the past few seasons getting plenty of possessions in the midfield.
Dylan Landt (St Mary’s)
Few players have been more successful than the St Mary’s skipper since he first joined the club in the 2020-21 season.
In that time he has won the Nichols medal, the NT News player of the year and was a key part in Saints 2021-22 premiership win.
Landt has started the season in red-hot form after taking the captaincy and whether it’s in the middle or up front he is a the go-to man for his side, especially when he gets 56 touches.
Jack Landt (St Mary’s)
An explosive presence in the St Mary’s forward line, the older of the Landt brothers is always on the hunt for a goal.
A hard player to stop when he’s on the run the senior coach of the Dimboola Roos has been a standout for Saints in recent weeks.
Darcy Chirgwin (St Mary’s)
The Geelong native has been one of the standouts for Saints early in the season as a frequent contributor in the Green Machine’s backline.
A dogged defender who never gives up will continue to be key to the title ambitions of his club, which shares the same name as his junior club.
Jackson Calder (St Mary’s)
The tall forward from Mornington has been the most impressive boot over the past three seasons, twice winning the Dennis Dunn leading goal scorer accolade.
Quickly bounced back from his Round 1 hand injury to kick seven goals against the Muk Muks in Round 4, and is the current goal leader.
Charlton Offermans (St Mary’s)
The Queensland footballer lined up for St Mary’s for the first time against Wanderers in Round 4 and very quickly showed the talent playing in QAFL and VFL nets you.
Has had stints with Southport and Brisbane in the VFL, with Gold Coast in the now defunct NEAFL and has played 57 matches with Labrador in the QAFL.
Seth Harris (St Mary’s)
It didn’t take long for the young gun from the Mornington Peninsula to make an impression in his St Mary’s side.
The 18-year-old made the trip north on his own and has already earned himself a Rising Star nomination after several courageous performances.
Tex Korewha (St Mary’s)
Korewha has been a massive find for Saints this season with his ability to find the middle of the posts or chip in at ruck time when needed.
The big man has played a lot of footy for Koroit in the Hampden Football League, and more recently for Ararat in the Wimmera League.
Brock Orval (Tiwi)
This isn’t the Victorian’s first stint in the NTFL having previously played with Waratah for three seasons, while juggling his time in the Horsham District Football League.
Now he’s at the Bombers where he brings leadership and experience to a squad full of exciting local players.
Sam Darley (Tiwi)
The former GWS and Western Bulldogs player has established himself as a leader at the Tiwi Bombers over the past couple of seasons.
The 30-year-old brings his experience and talent to a side full of youngsters, but it’s really his buy in at the club which has earned him the respect of those around him.
Jaxon East (Wanderers)
The recruit from Bussleton has been one of the standouts for the Muk Muks in their start to the season.
An onballer who knows how to find the ball and kick a goal is someone Wanderers will be building their season around.
Nathan Arbon (Wanderers)
The vice-captain has arguably been Wanderers most consistent performer in a season they’ve struggled for results in.
Knows how to find the ball and gets plenty of it, will just be hoping his side can get moving in the right direction come the back half of the year.
Ryan Clarke (Waratah)
Another big signing for Tahs, the former Sydney Swans and North Melbourne man will likely set the league alight coming fresh out of the AFL.
A regular ball winner for his news side, has already made a difference in the Waratah midfield.
Dylan Collis (Waratah)
The new captain at Waratah has been among the club’s best for a number of seasons now bringing class and toughness to the Warriors’ backline.
The former Casey Demon is known off the ground for his role in recruiting interstate players to the Warriors.
Arnold Kirby (Waratah)
The big man from Swan Hill has become somewhat of a cult figure in the Waratah makeup in recent years.
Has locked down his place as the Tahs ruckman, and beyond tap out duties is a constant busy presence around the midfield or even in front of goals when needed.
Jayden Magro (Waratah)
Perhaps the most explosive small forward in the NTFL over the past three seasons with his ever-changing hair styles and ability to kick from anywhere.
Narrowly missed out on the leading goal kicker accolade in the 2022-23 season, a year where the West Australian played a key role in Waratah’s drought breaking title.
Scott Carlin (Waratah)
Carlin is a near constant around the ball for Waratah, and is on track for his best individual season in the Top End as he’s consistently named in his side’s best.
He played his junior football in the Hampden Football Netball League, and went on to play with Werribee and Geelong in the VFL before playing in Waratah’s premiership winning 2022-23 season.
Robbie Turnbull (Waratah)
Turnbull is another who has played across the country whether in the VFL for Frankston or winning a premiership for the Cairns City Lions.
The past year has been massive for him winning a premiership with Tahs and getting picked up by South Fremantle in the WAFL, which may make his 2023-24 NTFL appearances sporadic.
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Originally published as The top interstate players in the 2023-24 NTFL season
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