NT sports shorts: Maurice Rioli Jr and Matt Barker headline week 9
Collingwood, Rioli Jr, a Palmerston Croc and a tennis initiative highlight this week’s shorts. Check out our week nine wrap here.
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This Wet season the NT News is highlighting the achievements of the Top End’s unsung athletes and sports news by recapping all the sports stories you might have missed each week.
Check out our week nine recap below.
WEEK 9
DAD’S NUMBER
Richmond Tigers’ small forward Maurice Rioli Jr will wear the famous number 17 guernsey moving forward, honouring his legendary father Maurice Rioli Sr. The Tiwi Island footy player has worn both the number 49 and 10 jumpers since 2021, with his nephew and three-time premiership winner Daniel Rioli owning the 17 before Jr joined the club.
PIES VISIT THE TERRITORY
Collingwood Magpies AFL, AFLW players, staff and members recently visited Tennant Creek as part of its ‘ongoing commitment to cultural learning and community engagement’.
“This cultural immersion allows many at our Club to gain a deeper understanding of the Tennant Creek community,” captain Darcy Moore said on Collingwood’s website.
“It’s about learning, growing and hopefully making a positive impact.”
The Pies also made the trek down to Alice Springs where they met up with local footy nuts.
50 GAME MILESTONE
Palmerston Crocs rugby club welcomed another member to its 50 game club as loose head prop Matt Barker played his milestone match. A hardworking big-man Barker was described by his club on their FB as a dedicated, passionate and committed club man that is ‘nothing short of inspiring.”
RACQUET ROADSHOW RETURNS
Last week the Hot Shot Tennis Racquet Roadshow returned to the Top End -an initiative that makes tennis more accessible for Australians. Moulden Park School were the recipients of 50 brand new racquets, presented in tandem by Tennis NT and Tennis Palmerston. “It’s a great way to keep the kids active and engaged, all while having a bit of fun,” said Tennis NT’s Emily Carroll. By the end of 2024 more than 200,000 racquets will have been gifted to primary school-aged children across Australia per the initiative.
Week 8
ASIAN CHAMPS
Four Darwin Salties have come out of Asia with fresh pieces of gold bling around their necks. Weston Tedcastle and Jaylen Brown played themselves into a gold medal as their team won all six of its matches, storming past second placed Japan in the final winning 67-41. Spinners co-captain Brown was also named MVP of the tournament finishing the championships with 139 total points, 23.2 ppg, 9.2 rebounds pg and 4.5 assists pg.
TENNIS AWARDS
Last week the annual Tennis NT Awards night was held with players, members, officials and volunteers descending on the Darwin Turf Club for celebrations. See who this year’s award recipients are below.
Winners:
– Volunteer of the Year: Nicky Mayer (Gove Peninsula Tennis Club)
– Excellence in Officiating: Greg Dickson
– Excellence in Coaching – Club: Ben McLachlan (Top End Multi Sports)
– Most Outstanding School: Nightcliff Middle School
– Club of the Year: Gove Peninsula Tennis Club
– Most Outstanding Tournament: The Katherine Open (Katherine Tennis Club)
– Austin Asche Award: Lincoln Pratt (Top End Multi Sports)
– Male Junior athlete of the year: Lincoln Pratt (Top End Multi Sports)
– Female Junior athlete of the year: Eva Harris (Top End Multi Sports)
– Club Person of the Year: Mihalia Giallouris and Annette Hebi (Gove Peninsula Tennis Club)
– Club Person of the Year: Steve Ward (Palmerston Tennis Club Incorporated Association)
– Club Person of the Year: Daniel Birch and Tracey Dobson (Katherine Tennis Club)
– Club Person of the Year: Ruth O’Brien (Darwin International Tennis Centre)
– Club Person of the Year: Michelle Trawinski (Top End Multi Sports)
BLUES ON TOUR
AFL star and Carlton gun Charlie Curnow alongside some of his Blues teammates such as Jesse Motlop spent time in the Top End last week. The Carlton players attended training sessions across the league and were in the stands at TIO during the match of the round between St Mary’s and Districts.
SRI LANKA AWAITS
Cricket Academy NT has announced it’s taking a group of Territory crickets on a tour of Sri Lanka in the new year (departing Darwin on February 4). Headed by Waratah’s Udara Weerasinghe, the academy will travel the sub continent for 12 days, play three matches, attend the Australia vs. Sri Lanka test match at Galle as well as visit Mirissa, Kandy, Colombo and Sigiriya. Head to the Cricket Academy NT Facebook page for details.
Week 7
THIRD IN ASIA
Alannah Joyce has smashed it at yet another major judo meet in 2024. The current NT Sportsperson of the year added to her stellar 12 month campaign with a bronze medal at the Hong Kong Asian Open. Playing in the 78kg, she has now recorded two thirds, a fifth and a first place from her last four meets.
BAJA 1000
Alice Springs’ motorsports supreme David Walsh put together a brilliant drive at the 57th Baja 1000. One of the most prestigious long distance off-road races in the world, Walsh finished the 2109.75km epic in 19:31:01.584 hrs, good enough for fifth in his category and fifth overall.
NT RECORD BREAKER
A best throw of 51.13 was also a Pan Pacific Masters Games record. Territory masters athlete Jon Schatz obliterated the competition at the 2024 Pan Pacific Games on the Gold Coast last week. The 51-year-old recorded a monster 51.13m throw; with second place throwing 2.75m behind Schatz. The distance was not only a personal PB but a Pan Games record, too.
ADELAIDE 500
Rossi Johnson delivered his best ever race finish in his V8 SuperUte at the last race weekend of the season. What started out as a decent meet for ‘The Territorian’ turned into a stellar one as he claimed two top 10 finishes (6th, 10th) as well as an 11th and 13th. Elsewhere full-time Supercars driver Bryce Fullwood finally had some good fortune fall his way in the last two races of the year. The Darwin born driver placed 11th in Race 23 and 12th in Race 24 after moving 11 spots up the field.
JNR. SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR
Teenage sensation Telaya Blacksmith has been crowned Junior Sportsperson of the Year at the National Indigenous Sports Awards. The 16-year-old made her Paralympic debut at Paris this year after she ran herself into the history books with the 100m, 200m and long jump Australian age records. She is also currently a member of the Sydney Swans AFL Academy.
SECOND TIME LUCKY
After falling agonisingly short at the COBRA 10s a week earlier, the guys from Casuarina Cougars redeemed themselves in Singapore. Playing in the 75th Singapore Cricket Club International Rugby Sevens tournament, the Cats came away with the chockies, claiming the Plate Championship.
Week 6
AWARD WINNING VOLUNTEER
Darwin Surf Life Saving Club’s Sharon Stewart took home the chockies at this year’s Surf Life Saving Australia awards. The devoted club member was awarded the prestigious Volunteer of the Year Award of Excellence.
LITTLE LEAGUE
Baseball NT had a major win last week, securing its future for 2025. BNT announced its Little League charter had been officially certified for next season. The milestone is indicative of BNT’s commitment to providing junior baseballers in the NT with an opportunity to play the sport as well as, “providing young players with quality training, sportsmanship, and the joy of baseball.”
RETURN OF CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY
Darwin Golf Club celebrated the return of an iconic piece of silverware, first presented to the club in 1950. The trophy survived Cyclone Tracy at the East Point Club house (the Darwin Golf Club was there), it was taken to the now Marrara Golf Club albeit a little bent and tarnished after Tracy in 1975. It was rescued from the old club house in Fannie Bay. Norma has kept it in safe keeping for 45 years after she and her family left Darwin and she wanted to return it to its rightful home – Darwin Golf Club – so made the journey from Brisbane to Darwin to deliver it this week.
RUGBY MILESTONE
NT rugby union veteran Rob Taylor took to the field at the weekend, officiating his 150th game of DRU. Palmerston Rugby Union Club paid tribute to the referee on its Facebook page, posting the following: “Congratulations, Rob Taylor. We hope everyone will join with us in celebrating your 150th A-grade referee appointment this weekend. It’s a remarkable achievement and a testament to your dedication and passion for the game we all love. You are a legend!”
AUSSIE CO-CAPTAIN
One of the Darwin Salties’ breakout stars during its 2024 national championship-winning campaign, on top of representing the Rollers at the Paris Paralympics, Jaylen Brown has added another accolade to his name. He will co-captain the Aussie under-23 Spinners at the 2024 IWBF Men’s U23 Asia-Ocenaia Championships.
WORLD CUP
Commerce-Pints and Hockey NT stalwart Jane Slater has pulled on the green and gold singlet of Australia. Representing the nation in the Women’s 65+ side, she is in Auckland playing in the 2024 Masters World Cup.
Week 5
SUNS COME HOME
Former Wanderers duo Joel Jeffrey and Lloyd Johnston imparted some invaluable footy knowledge on some of their old club’s current players. The Gold Coast Suns pair took to the turf at TIO 2 last week, taking part in Auskick, juniors and senior training sessions.
RISING STAR
Nineteen year old ex- St Marys gun J’Noemi Anderson has been recognised for her stellar form in Round 10 of the ALFW, earning a Rising Star nomination. The fourth Anderson to play in the nation’s premier division put up 11 disposals, eight tackles, six kicks and two score involvements in St Kilda’s 27 point loss to reigning premiers Brisbane.
COUGARS ON TOUR
The Cats can agonisingly close to international silverware as they competed at the Malaysian COBRA 10s, the world’s premier club 10 a side rugby union tournament. The back-to-back A-grade DRU champions were defeated 19-10 in the final by Penguins.
JABIRU’S BIG WIN
For the first time in the club’s history, Jabiru are NT champions. Crowned pennants champions at the weekend, the men’s team prevailed on home soil over a well drilled Humpty Doo outfit. The club proudly posted the following to their Fb page following the win, ‘Congratulations to our champions who took home the victory – the flag will fly high and proud!’
Week 4
BEST EVER
Adelaide Crows forward and St Mary’s alum Danielle Ponter kicked herself into the history books last week. The forward, now in her seventh season of AFLW, became the league’s greatest ever goal scorer as she hit three majors against the Kangaroos, taking her total to 80 goals in 68 matches.
WEEKEND FROM HELL
‘The Territorian’ Rossi Johnson had a dismal Gold Coast 500 weekend in his V8 SuperUte. Fresh off his best ever round in the ute at Bathurst, the young driver couldn’t catch a break in Queensland. Drilled by another driver in the first race, Johnson’s ute was significantly damaged for the remainder of the weekend, causing the driver and his crew enormous trouble.
RESULTS: Race 1: 22/22, 2 laps down. Race 2: 20/24. Race 3 NC, four laps down. Race 4: NC.
FATHER & SON
A rare feat occurred for a father and son duo as they both took to the field for the South Darwin Rabbitohs A-grade side at the weekend. Club legend Sete and his son Dan played for the Bunnies in what is believed to be the first father-son duo in the club’s history.
TERRITORIAN AVOIDS HISTORIC COLLAPSE
D’Arcy Short had a front-row seat to the greatest collapse in Australian first class cricket history, as his Western Australian teammates imploded. Opening the batting against Tasmania in the One Day Cup, Short (22 runs off 41 balls) hit 41.5 per cent of WA’s 53 run total, in which the men in yellow lost 8-1 in 28 deliveries.
Week 3
TEAM AUSTRALIA VICTORIOUS
Team Australia B claimed victory over Australia A at the weekend in the grand final of the 2024 Multicultural Cup. Both comprised of very capable first and second grade players, the two Australian sides played a fast paced match, highlighted by Australia B’s numbers one and three Coby Edmondstone (51*) and Alex Bleakley (71). The duo were on song with the willow, putting on a 110 run partnership.
BALI VIBES
Touch NT’s Wet season beach footy festival is back for its third edition.
Registrations opened last week, with the league selling themselves as the “greatest show on surf”. A mixed competition with squads of six to eight players, the round robin tournament will be back on the sand at Darwin Surf Life Saving Club’s headquarters at Casuarina Beach.
The festival is a charity raising affair with all funds donated to the Rotary Club of Darwin. Scheduled for November 2, the beach and club will once again come alive with a variety of beach sports, live entertainment, cultural performances, food stalls, a giant water slide, carnival games and more.
AOC VISIT THE NT
Northern Territorys aspiring junior athletes put their best foot forward and skills on show last week, as they took part in the nation’s largest ever talent search. The Future Green and Gold campaign visited Darwin and Palmerston last week in what was the first time the high-performance sports sector has come together in search of discovering Australia’s next Olympians ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Games. The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and Paralympics Australia partnered with the Northern Territory Sports Academy, offering athletes from the NT a chance to test their skills in over 30 major sports as part of the program, including swimming, athletics, cycling, rugby, and para basketball.
FUNDING SECURED
Northern Territory Cricket has successfully secured funding that will aid in their projects concerning women and girls in the sport. NTC are among the 120 successful applicants who have been approved from the more than 600 original entrants, and will now receive a financial boost through the federal government’s Play Our Way program participation stream. NTC stated they will direct their funding towards: projects that will remove barriers to women and girls playing cricket, reduce discrimination and promote equality, and plans to create new roles and programs that increase cricket participation and retention among a diverse female population.
Week 2
BATHURST 1000
It was a difficult weekend at the mountain for Darwin’s Bryce Fullwood who struggled for pace in his BJR Middy’s entry. Paired with Jaylyn Robotham as his co-driver, Fullwood looked off the mark during the great race. After a positive warm-up pre-race in which he clocked the eighth quickest time, he and Robotham did finish two places higher from qualifying, finishing the race in 22nd.
NTRU 2024-25 SCHEDULE
The wait is finally over with rugby in the Top End getting underway this weekend. As previously reported by this masthead, the NTRU kicks off its 2024-25 season this Saturday at Rugby Park, Marrara. Men’s A-grade and women’s grade will start their campaigns on Saturday while the men’s B-grade competition has a bye, and will commence next weekend.
NUNGA CARNIVAL
It was a successful venture south for the under-15 Netball Northern Territory side as they competed in South Australia’s annual First Nations netball tournament. A competition that brings together the top Indigenous netballers from around the state, the NT side was one of 11 teams competing in the U15 bracket. Team NNT proved it was up for the fight, winning six of the 10 matches, finishing fifth overall in the standings.
MULTICULTURAL CUP WEEK 2
Rounds 3 and 4 are in the books following two more days of action packed T20 cricket at the weekend. India A have been dethroned atop the ladder following their defeat to Australia A who now sit first after their dominant victory. Australia B also jumped up the ladder, now second, boasting a 4-0 record like Aus. A. India C had the two standout performers from the weekend, opener Janu Varatharajannot smashed a 112* off 52 deliveries, hitting 16 fours and four sixes against Sri Lanka B. Varatharajannot’s teammate Dhavalkumar Patel was the pick of the bowlers after his spell against Pakistan A saw him take 5/29 off 4 overs.
TOP END CUP
NRLNT’s youngsters wowed the crows at the Katherine Sports Ground last Saturday as they competed in the 2024 Top End Cup. An off-season tournament for under-10s, 12s and 14s saw 15 sides from across the Territory including Alice Springs, as well as Kununurra from Western Australia, play 34 games across three fields in one day of league mania.
Week 1
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
The World Table Tennis Youth Contender 2024 tournament wrapped up at the weekend at Marrara. A tournament for players aged 11-19 years old, it is an internationally sanctioned event that draws in players inside the top 20 in the world for their respective age groups. Australian Nicholas Lum, who is ranked 36 overall in the world, won the 19 mens title and mixed 19s doubles title while Japan’s Sakurako Kagawa was victorious in the 19 women’s final.
GOLD CLASS CARE
Top End physio Bride Duggan is back at the Australian Institute of Sport, working with the incumbent Crocs and Sapphires at the trials for the FIBA U15 Oceania Champs. Duggan was part of the support staff that delivered elite level care during the Australian U17s triumph at the 2023 champs.
CULTURAL CUP REVAMP
The Top End Cultural Cup is back in action with a new look. The three weekend long T20 competition got underway, boasting 10 teams representing five different nations: three sides for India, two for Australia, Sri Lanka and Pakistan and one side from Bangladesh. As it stands, India A are leading the way atop the ladder with two wins from two after defeating Pakistan B by 83 runs and India B by 194 runs in a game that saw Palmerston’s premiership winning first grade captain Hamish Martin smash 106* runs off 54 deliveries and Prince Handa record 5/5 off his 4 overs.
NETBALL DEPARTURE
Darwin netball club PINT have said goodbye to one of their best. After delivering two seasons of back-to-back success, and three years in total, Liv Krygger is moving interstate. One half of the premier league and reserves coaching tandem, Krygger helped PINT secure four premierships in her time at the club.
BEST AND FAIREST
The St. Mary’s alum and three time premiership player Daniel Rioli was awarded with Richmond’s Jack Dyer Medal as the side’s best and fairest for 2024 at their annual awards night last week. The 27-year-old played 23 matches this season, recording elite metrics in his average tackles and handballs per game, above average metrics in his average disposals and metres gained per game and recorded average metrics of his total kicks per game.
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