Marlion Pickett, Cam Nyko and Tom Simpson among big recruits for the 2024-25 NTFL season

Former AFL stars, home club returners and interstate standouts are at the centre of massive recruitment drives ahead of season kick off. Check out the biggest moves.

AFL stars and interstate performers alike are making their way to the Top End to compete in the 2024-25 NTFL season.

Marlion Pickett has been the big announcement to this point with the recently retired premiership player making the move to the Tiwi Bombers.

Well-known NTFL names such as Nick Yarran, Phil Wills and Shaun Wilson have all switched clubs while Steven Motlop is joining Southern Districts.

As is common in the NTFL competition new names are likely to pop up as the season goes on, particularly after Christmas so this list is subject to change.

St Mary’s

Coach: Anthony Vallejo

Ins: Nick Yarran (Buffaloes), Tyson Kent (up from Div 1)

Outs: Seth Harris, Jake Toa

Nick Yarran will rejoin St Mary’s in the 2024-25 NTFL season. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

St Mary’s will be a very similar outfit to the one that found premiership success in the 2023-24 season, with club leaders Dylan Landt and Jackson Calder now staying in the Top End.

Former Rising Star and NT News best player winner Nick Yarran makes a return and a needed one to fill the space of the injured Seth Harris.

One area of concern will be ruck with Jake Toa unlikely to make an appearance this season leaving the Green Machine short in the middle.

Nightcliff Tigers

Coach: Leigh Crossman

Ins: Boyd Bailey, Zackary Derksen, Joel Budarick, Marly McGregor, Zac Buechner, Kye Declasse

Outs: Jay Moody, Cooper Dahms, Mitch Norton

Nightcliff is likely to be another side with the majority of its experienced squad staying on but with a healthy dose of juniors also coming up the ranks.

Perhaps most pleasing will be the return of former Nightcliff juniors Zackary Derksen, Joel Buderick and Marly McGregor who have all gained key experiences in their time away.

Jay Moody has relocated so won’t return to the losing grand finalists at this stage, with the experience of Brodie Filo, Cam Ilett, Nathan Brown and Ryan Nyhuis all remaining for another go.

Southern Districts

Coaches: Dave Barnard and Shannon Rusca

INS: Steven Motlop

Returning names: Matt Johnston, Jordyn Cotter, Wyatt Ryan, Jarrod Brander, Nakia Cockatoo

Outs: Mackenzie Slee

Steven Motlop playing for PINT in the 2023-24 NTFL season. Picture: Patch Clapp / AFLNT Media

The Crocs have pulled one of the coups of the season landing former AFL player Steven Motlop from PINT.

Southern Districts will be leaning heavily on the big names who have brought it success in recent years including former AFL players Jed Anderson and Jarrod Brander.

Mackenzie Slee is the major out due to injury, but is likely to be the only non-returner from a side that has recruited very will of late.

There are rumours brewing of another potential major signing, however the points system is an area the Crocs will be battling, as with any club.

Waratah

Coach: Rick Nolan

Ins: Jack Bambury (Ballarat), Liam Odea (Norwood)

Outs: Jayden Magro, Jack O’Sullivan, Arnold Kirby

The Waratah mainstays of Dylan Collis, Brodie Carroll and Scott Carlin are likely to remain under new coach Rick Nolan, but there is change elsewhere.

The 2023-24 leading goal scorer Jayden Magro will not return this season, with premier ruckman Arnold Kirby also in doubt for consistent games if not the whole season.

Jack Bambury and Liam Odea are two of the major ins for a side that will once again be pushing for the upper echelons of the league.

PINT

Coach: Mark Whiley

Ins: Adam Jorgensen, Cam Wilson, Jamie Fulton

Potential out: Steven Motlop

Yarrawonga’s Cameron Wilson is one of a host of players heading to PINT from the Ovens and Murray League. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

It’s a whole new year for the Greenants as they welcome a new coach, and a host of new talent as they aim for another step up in the Premier League.

A host of talent is coming from the Ovens and Murray League including Adam Jorgensen from Wodonga, Cam Wilson from Yarrawonga and Jamie Fulton from Bell Park.

The Greenants will also regain the services of Tom Schott and Chris Nield both missing parts of last season through injury, though captain Matt Ryan is a concern through injury.

Darwin Buffaloes

Coach: Phil Wills

Ins: Tom Simpson, Phil Wills

Outs: Nick Yarran, Jalen Clarke

Labrador’s Tom Simpson in action. Picture: Labrador Football Club Facebook

A disrupted preseason has resulted in the return of NTFL champion Phil Wills in the role of playing coach for the 2024-25 season.

The Nichols medal winner is one of the big coups for the Double Blues as well as Tom Simpson who this year made headlines for a 51 touch game in the QAFL.

Otherwise, the likes of well-known locals Jarrod Stokes, Daniel Stafford and Kevin Maroney are sure to keep the fire burning for the side hunting a return to finals.

Tiwi Bombers

Coach: Patrick Bowden

Ins: Marlion Pickett, Braedon McLean, Ashton Hams

Marlion Pickett will play for the Tiwi Bombers in the 2024-25 NTFL season. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The Bombers broke the biggest recruitment news of the preseason when they announced Richmond premiership player Marlion Pickett.

And as a relocated player he will be an asset for the side throughout the whole season, alongside another major coup in former Wanderers captain Braedon McLean.

The question remains on whether Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti will return to the Bombers after a successful season down south.

Wanderers

Coach: Aaron Motlop

Ins: Max Johnson (returning), Brodie Newman (possible), Beau O’Connell (possible)

Outs: Braedon McLean

Wanderers are another side targeting some upwards momentum after a slip off of sorts in recent years, and there have been talks they’ve made some decent changes.

There’s plenty of returning players, particularly from their faithful core of veterans such as Brenton Motlop and captain Mitch Taylor.

But the question remains if they can lure some of its premium talent back such as Brodie Newman and Beau O’Connell.

Palmerston Magpies

Coach: Mark Tyrrell

Ins: Shaun Wilson, Josh Koster, Cam Nyko

Outs: Phil Wills

Palmerston is rebuilding around a young core of players with the hopes of pushing on from what was a disappointing 2023-24 season.

Nightcliff premiership player Shaun Wilson brings experience as the club’s new captain while the likes of Cam Nyko and Josh Koster will bring some skills from interstate.

Tyson Young and Lucas Edmonds are two of the big names returning from last season and will be hoping to push the side to some success this year.

Originally published as Marlion Pickett, Cam Nyko and Tom Simpson among big recruits for the 2024-25 NTFL season