Waratah Football Club recruits three Geelong footballers for the NTFL 2024-25 season
A bunch of Geelong and Bellarine footballers have ventured north to play for clubs in the Northern Territory. Find out how they’re going so far.
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The footy season has continued on for a bunch of leather-hungry Geelong players who have drifted north to get a kick in some of the country’s most challenging conditions.
This masthead has tracked six footballers who played locally in 2024 and are currently running around in the NTFL in Darwin.
And the premiers of two seasons ago, Waratah, have recruited three players who played in Geelong and Bellarine leagues in 2024: Tanner Lovell (Geelong West), Bailey Scott (Colac) and Josh Saltalamacchia (Newcomb).
Baxter Mensch
NT club: Darwin Buffaloes
Local club: Torquay
The skilful left footer has become a familiar face in Darwin footy circles in recent seasons, first venturing up north to play 10 games with Palmerston in 2022-23 which boasted a raft of ex AFL players: Eddie Betts, Neville Jetta, Travis Varcoe and for one special game in November, Gary Ablett Jr and Mathew Stokes.
And there was one future AFL player too, in Sam Clohesy.
However, after starring in Torquay’s second premiership in a row in early September, Mensch is flying north again on weekends to play three games for the Darwin Buffaloes this year — averaging 18 touches a game so far.
Mensch also played 12 games in 23-24 and was named in Darwin’s best in half of them.
The 24-year-old has since signed with Sunraysia Football Netball League outfit, the Robinvale Euston Eagles, for the 2025 season.
Chase Loftus
NT club: Darwin Buffaloes
Local club: Torquay
The young Tigers star and former Falcon, who won the club’s best and fairest in 2023 and starred in Torquay’s premiership in early September, joined Mensch for a game with the Buffaloes in Round 5.
It was an unfamiliar result for the two-time BFNL premiership player, thumped by 151 points in Round 5.
Loftus would pick up 19 touches and boot a goal.
It’s the 20-year-old’s second season with Darwin after playing three games the previous campaign under former coach Cameron Stokes, named in the best on two occasions.
Connor Giddings
NT club: Southern Districts
Local club: Leopold
Not content to put his feet up after back-to-back GFNL premierships, Giddings has appeared in every game so far bar one for NTFL ladder leaders Southern Districts.
And he’s enjoyed a similar amount of success as he did with the Lions, with the Crocs still unbeaten after six rounds.
Tanner Lovell
NT club: Waratah
Local club: Geelong West, Geelong VFL
After playing for both Geelong’s VFL team and Geelong West in the GFNL, the prolific midfielder is backing it up with iconic Territory outfit, Waratah.
Lovell, who came second in the Mathieson Medal despite missing several games due to VFL duties, has played three games so far at the Tahs in the NTFL under senior coach Rick Nolan.
The Heywood product, who will return to Portland in 2025, had 23 touches with 10 contested and a goal in Round 6.
Bailey Scott
NT club: Waratah
Local club: Colac, Essendon VFL
In a similar vein to Lovell, Scott mixed his footy this year between VFL duties and the odd game with Colac in the GFNL.
However, Scott has been keen for further footy action, making his debut in the NTFL with the Tahs in Round 6 against PINT.
Josh Saltalamacchia
NT club: Waratah
Local club: Newcomb
After a tough campaign with Newcomb in 2024, the young forward has enjoyed a bit more success after dipping his toe into the world of Territory footy.
Playing all 18 games for the Power in the BFNL in 2024, Saltalamacchia has already been involved in three wins from four games — including an 11-point defeat of Territory powerhouse, St Mary’s.
He chipped in with three majors in a 120-point, Round 2 flogging of Palmerston.
Originally published as Waratah Football Club recruits three Geelong footballers for the NTFL 2024-25 season
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