Find out what you need to know about your NTFL side ahead of the 2024-25 season
New look squads both from a coaching and playing perspective will define what’s expected to be another huge season of NT footy. Check out how each club is shaping up for NTFL 2024-25.
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Another huge season of NTFL footy is on the way with rivalries old and new to come to the fore after an off-season full of changes.
And once again the NT News will be your one stop shop for all the action as we livestream both the men’s and women’s premier league.
The season will get under way with a grand final rematch between reigning premiers St Mary’s and Nightcliff, but from there all bets are off.
Big names have switched clubs while Marlion Pickett has been the pick-up of the preseason for the Tiwi Bombers.
There have also been huge switch-ups in the coaching ranks with new names at five of the nine clubs, giving a hint of a different flavour to the season ahead.
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ST MARY’S
St Mary’s are a side you can always trust to be thereabouts coming into the season and being the reigning premiers all eyes will be on how they start the year.
In recent years they’ve been slower starters, but with a longer prep owing to the Alice rep game and a core group of the same players they should be well conditioned.
The likes of two-time Nichols medal winner and captain Dylan Landt and goal kicking spearhead Jackson Calder are based in Darwin full time now and put as much time as they can into the club.
Kieran Parnell is another of the leadership crew who continues to perform year after year, while Nate Paredes and Joel Garner are confirmed to be returning as fly-ins.
Coach Anthony Vallejo said the season presented a strong chance for the club to hunt down back-to-back flags.
“We’ve been going for a while now, so the boys are chomping at the bit to start playing some footy,” Vallejo said.
“Some of our leaders live in town now, they’ve been leading the charge for us through preseason and are raring to take on this opportunity as reigning premiers hunting another flag.”
As with most clubs the Saints are focused on developing their local talent for the early stages of the season, before some of their imports come around.
And at the centre of that is a strong group of juniors such as Ethan Bush, Thomas Dewsbury and Parker Fawcett, who all have had a taste of senior action in the past.
Adding to them is the return of Nick Yarran, who previously won a Rising Star and NT News Player of the Year accolade, who had a year at Buffaloes last season.
Though they will be looking for ruck cover with Jake Toa out, while ball magnet Seth Harris will miss out after an injury.
“We’ve had a really good under-18s side for the past five or six years so we have some really good juniors come through that will all get their chance early in the season.
“We’ve been concentrating on our local talent early on, which may change throughout the year, but right now we’re focused on the guys who have been up here through preseason.”
Vallejo said his side were expecting an onslaught from whoever they came up against, knowing the club would always be the hunted, reigning premiers or not.
“Being Saints we know we’re the hunted every week, no matter where we finish everyone wants to beat us so the expectations and standards we set will be no different than we had last year,” he said.
“We had a great time celebrating last year’s flag, but that is a long time ago now and the guys are just all raring to go for this season.”
NIGHTCLIFF TIGERS
A few missed chances in a muddy grand final came between Nightcliff and the flag last year, but they’re a side with the talent to bounce back.
The Tigers somewhat flew under the radar last season, went about their business and when it mattered against the big sides got the results.
They’re one side that are chomping at the bit to get stuck in, particularly in their first match where they come against St Mary’s once again.
Guys like Brodie Filo, Nathan Brown and Ryan Nyhuis will be back again with their boatloads of experience and a want to add another flag to theirs and the Tigers record.
Coach Leigh Crossman said despite some guys perhaps carrying the events of last year in the back of their minds they would be taking the season as a clean plate.
“We’re travelling along okay after a solid preseason and now we’re really looking forward to getting started and playing,” Crossman said.
“What’s done is done with last year, you move on pretty quick to focus on the new season though a few guys will use that disappointment to motivate and push forward them to go one better.”
Nightcliff has also been building it’s junior base with plenty of guys coming up through the ranks, as well as some returning club juniors from state league level.
Those being Zackary Derksen, Joel Budarick and Marly McGregor who will join Boyd Bailey as some of the early season ins or returnees for the year to come.
While the veterans such as two time Nichols medallist Filo have had success in the off season they will want to carry forward to Tiger town.
“We’ve been lucky enough to play five or 10 junior footballers who have come through the season and they will all get their opportunity at different stages throughout the year,” Crossman said.
“Promoting those juniors through the senior side is crucial for us, we’ve been lucky to have had junior success and a really strong base there.
“We’ve been pretty lucky with a number of our guys playing football down south and doing so deep into September, they’ll all come up cherry ripe after a break for the season.”
The Tigers are a side that can never be counted out and with some background rumours of players to come whether returning or not they should be up there again.
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS
Few sides can boast the returning talent that the Crocs have at their disposal with several former AFL players making this the side to watch.
Jed Anderson, Jarrod Brander and Nakia Cockatoo were among the stars of last season and all carry AFL pedigree, not to mention returning interstaters such as Matt Johnston and Wyatt Ryan.
Districts have also pulled one of the coups of the off-season with Steven Motlop moving on-board as a four point player from PINT.
Motlop moved to the backline and excelled last season and now will have a several strong teammates in Michael Bowden and Jordyn Cotter to side with down there.
Coach Shannon Rusca, this year joined by co-coach Dave Barnard, said preseason was going brilliantly at the club that has been there or there abouts across the past two season.
“This preparation has been a really breath of fresh air to be honest, we’ve had a great turnout and it’s been wonderful to teach the game alongside Dave Barnard,” Rusca said.
“There’s no doubt this will be another strong season, we always plan to be competitive and everything is pointing in the right direction.”
There’s plenty of young guys at Districts as well to fill the gaps, but the Crocs juniors are pretty strong this season with Taj Stanley, Stanley Waistcoat and Brodie Grace all having senior experience.
Those alongside the returning imports the Crocs will have at their disposal make this a side that should be pushing not just for finals, but deep into finals.
“We will always get our recruits as well, without them we don’t have the high standard competition, and we’re happy we’ll be able to retain the service of those guys from last season,” Rusca said.
“We’re excited to see the likes of Brander back kicking goals again, as well as Cockatoo, a local junior returning as a fly-in player, it’s always great to have his service.
“We’ve got a few younger kids too who will get their chances, there’s no doubt it’s all up to them how many times they play by being able to contribute to the team and adhere to our values.”
Rusca also praised Barnard who brings plenty of experience from other clubs and plans to take the Crocs to new heights.
“He’s a very smart, analytical coach who has brought some calmness to the group as well as a different dimension to how we approach the game,” Rusca said.
“He’s been in a very successful Nightcliff side and we’ve put our heads together to form a plan that we can hopefully execute and hopefully take us another step further than a prelim final.”
WARATAH
League powerhouse of recent years, Waratah, will take on a new look this season, but they’re among the finals favourites.
It’s a new regime with one of the Territory’s most successful coach’s in recent times, Rick Nolan, taking up the reigns after winning three titles in four years with the PINT women.
Now back in the men’s competition he has a chance to add to his personal cabinet, with plenty of players who can get the job done.
Waratah will have plenty of the usual suspects that have helped bring success in recent years including captain Dylan Collis, Brodie Carroll and Scott Carlin.
However, they will be without the services of last season’s leading goal kicker Jayden Magro and Jack O’Sullivan, while heroic ruck Arnold Kirby is more of a wait and see option this year.
Waratah’s preseason has started a little differently to others forgoing the trial matches for a trip to Belyuen to get prepped for the season.
“Pre-season has been going pretty well for us, the numbers have been good and everyone’s been pretty keen to learn,” Nolan said.
“Our normal customers like your Collis’ or Carroll’s have been setting good standards at training and then we have some kids that have been pretty impressive too.”
Waratah remains a club with a strong culture with plenty remaining after the drought breaking flag of season 2022-23.
It wasn’t quite the same result last time around bowing out early but Nolan will come in wanting nothing less than the best from his new charges.
There’s a few new names in the side such as such as Jack Bambury and Liam Odea from interstate, while youngsters such as Xavier Blitner are expected to take a step forward.
The questions will be how do they fill the holes they have with Magro and Kirby such pivotal parts of their make-up for the past few seasons.
“The aim at the moment is to certainly make finals off the back of previous campaigns, but at this stage as with every club it’s about seeing how the competition lies,” Nolan said.
“The community is great at Waratah, there’s a lot of good people and things in place and it’s about working and chipping away now to bring success.
“It’s all about the people, that’s something I’ve found wherever I’ve coached and we have really good people involved at Waratah.”
PINT
PINT faces a big test this year with all eyes on if they will maintain their upward momentum as they welcome their first new coach since joining the top grade.
Much was made of the dismissal of inaugural Premier League coach Shannon Motlop in the off-season after he led them to the Greenants to their first finals campaign after just two seasons.
But newcomer Mark Whiley is no stranger to success from playing 21 AFL games with GWS and Carlton to a successful stint guiding Yarrawonga in the Ovens and Murray Football League.
“This is my first one so it’s hard to gauge where we will be, but everyone’s happy with how we’re tracking and the numbers have been strong,” Whiley said.
“I think the challenge the NTFL presents is an exciting one with people coming in and out, alongside the fly-in factor, so I’m keen to come up and learn a few skills and impart my knowledge.”
The Greenants have retained the majority of their list from their previous two seasons, where they shocked many in their almost immediate ability to perform in the top competition.
Last year they went to finals for the first time and to do the same, or even better that result will set them in good stead for a shot at a flag in the years to come.
Whiley will pull some talent from the Ovens and Murray League, where he himself just finished a grand final as a player before making the trip north to the Top End.
A host of talent will follow him including Adam Jorgensen from Wodonga, Cam Wilson from Yarrawonga and Jamie Fulton from Bell Park, with some other names expected.
Tom Schott makes a return to the side after being sidelined for much of last season with injury and will slot in well after a grand final of his own.
Chris Nield is another returner from long term injury, though usual captain Matt Ryan is an injury concern and there are rumours Steven Motlop is moving elsewhere.
“We’ve retained most of our list, we’ve got a few boys coming up from the Murray, which is pretty cool, and we’re still trying to finalise a few names,” Whiley said.
“In the early stages it will be about us all sounding each other out, I just want the players to go out and play to their strengths and see where they are from there in terms of a game plan.”
DARWIN BUFFALOES
The Darwin Buffaloes have had perhaps the most disrupted preseason with not one but two coaching changes before any action has begun.
But one of their favourite sons of recent years in Phil Wills is making a return as playing-coach to lead a group of experienced campaigners.
Wills was a late switch in for Rick Bean who was originally named coach after Cam Stokes stepped down post last season.
There’s a wealth of returning talent to steady the ship including their game breaking captain Jarrod Stokes, premium goal kicker Daniel Stafford and the ever reliable Kevin Maroney.
“I feel I’ve got a lot to give and a lot to learn as well, it’s really exciting to take on the opportunity at my family club,” Wills said.
“We have a really strong list at Buffaloes, with lots of players that I’ve grown up around and getting the buy in from those boys will give us a strong foundation.
“We’re assessing our fly-ins in terms of attracting players at the state level that will add value to the skilful group that we already have.”
Buffaloes are another club trying to work their way up, while battling the points system, and will be eyeing a step up from their younger squad too.
Bradley Ganambarr, Nathaniel Cooper and Antonio James are some of those younger guys who are stepping in the right direction.
Ryan Pendlebury will come in as a fly-in once again and the likes of other NTFL veterans Chris Williams and Tim Eldridge will continue to do the job for their squad.
“There’s plenty of juniors I saw last year who really impressed me and I’m really keen to get those boys up and playing in the seniors as well to add to their growth,” Wills said.
“One of the biggest things for me as a coach is to help develop these players not just on the footy field, but as people as well.
“We just want to be really consistent in how we play, get through those early games and make sure we’re training really hard to ensure we’re getting all those basic fundamentals right.
“It just takes everyone buying in 100 per cent and putting their hands up to play their role and put in the work, and as I’ve seen at other successful clubs that’s what brings results.”
TIWI BOMBERS
The Tiwi Bombers showed great improvement in the 2023-24 season after three consecutive wooden spoons.
The question now is can the young outfit containing Richmond premiership player Marlion Pickett improve their placing and reach finals once more.
Pickett was the big name recruit of the off season, and if Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti comes back too there will be a healthy dose of experience to compliment the natural Tiwi flair.
Braedon McLean has also come across from Wanderers to bring some NT footy experience.
Coach Patrick Bowden said a player of his calibre would add the experience the Bombers need to convert their strong showings into wins more consistently.
“We’ve got a really young team still so we’re looking at adding experience around that, and someone like Pickett brings that,” Bowden said.
“The squad’s looking really good, we’ve got that core group of young fellas coming through that developed last year, and they’re all looking good after the winter season.
“We’ve cracked into the preseason and are now hoping we can be cherry ripe for the first block of games and be good and ready for those.”
Rising Star winner Karlson Kantilla and Thaddeus Puautjimi were two of the young finds from last season among a group of real up and comers.
Now with the new Tiwi Islands Football League season time as well as a healthy dose of players going to Adelaide in the off season there’s a true pathway to the top side for the Bombers again.
Last season the side had some big results including a lightning rule victory against St Mary’s, and with more games on the island and another season together they may go the distance.
“The experience of last season is holding these fellas in good stead,” Bowden said.
“The core group fought on though as young players got tired, but 12 months later we’re hoping they’re ready to manage the workload.
“The draw works more in our favour with not as many 2pm games, so we won’t be in the heat as much and we have three games on the island where teams have to play us at home.
“We know every side is competitive as well and will do what they can to make us not win, so it’s up to us to use our knowledge and actually start winning more games than we lose.”
WANDERERS
By all accounts Wanderers have made some moves in the off-season, but will it be enough to restore the foundation club to a finals berth?
Long-time club notables such as captain Mitchel Taylor and the likes of Simon Bates, Matthew Motlop and Daniel Fuller have done the hard yards on the track.
And with numbers and buy-in up coach Aaron Motlop is confident his side will take another encouraging step in their journey back from the bottom.
Last season the issues were numbers with players missing due to commitments elsewhere, while a few players have relocated back to the NT to play for the side.
“There’s been a lot more buy in this season compared to last, we have a few people relocating and some old faces returning after not playing for the past few years,” Motlop said.
“As coaches we’ve gone out of our way a lot more to communicate our expectations for the senior men whether that’s the premier league or reserves and try to create a committed environment.
“We know we have to train to a certain standard to perform, it’s been disappointing on the field in terms of results, but we feel we’ve turned a corner and are looking forward to this season.”
The Muk Muks will be without Braedon McLean, who has gone to Tiwi, but plenty of the usual names are still around.
There has also been a concentrated effort to recruit from interstate and build up the juniors that have in recent years bore fruit for the club.
Tyson Whyte, Thomas Knight and Sebastian O’Connell are among the younger players that will get chances, while Brodie Newman and Beau O’Connell could return at some stage.
“We’re recruiting a few guys from interstate who are relocating for the season, which would be good to have them up here consistently and build on our local base,” Motlop said.
“We’ve got the usual names associated with our club lifting their standard and a number of juniors as well who have impressed and are trying to put their hands up for selection.
“We’re rebuilding our club and playing culture, we desperately want to get back into finals and we want to be a really competitive team week in week out.”
PALMERSTON MAGPIES
The only way a team that finished bottom and with no wins can go is up, and with a former premiership winning captain returning as coach Palmerston are aiming to do exactly that.
The 2023-24 season was an unfortunate one for the Magpies after two seasons where they seemed on the up, but Mark Tyrrell has returned to instil a winning mindset back into the club.
He was there in the Magpies’ glory years at the start of the century as a captain and is back with hopes of guiding them back to success.
But success at Palmerston will not come overnight and not with just a major signing or two, it will take a long-term commitment.
“They’ve all been training really hard and have done everything they’ve been asked to do, which was probably one area I was worried about,” Tyrrell said.
“Numbers have been good too and at the moment we don’t have a huge amount of pressure on us to succeed straight away, we can take our time and slowly build our way up.”
Tyrrell has a mantra of energy and effort for the new season knowing his side need to earn the respect of their opposition before they can be in position to win games.
Proven leader Shaun Wilson comes in after his successful stint at Nightcliff as captain and the side will draw on his experience, with youngsters Ryan Warfe and Jonty Patrick now club leaders too.
There’s also a group of returning imports such as Tyson Young and Lucas Edmonds, while the likes of Josh Koster and Cam Nyko will join the fold.
The big key will be in the juniors with the Magpies needing to convert their recent age grade success into the top flight with Joel Munnich and Nathaniel Lampton two that may get chances.
“Our junior success migrating into our senior ranks is something we need to work on and hasn’t happened as much, and building on that will be our focus,” Tyrrell said.
“We’re after respect from our peers, we’ve got to earn it and that’s something we’ve probably lacked a bit of late.
“We’d like to get to the point where while we might not be beating the top sides every week, but they’re thinking they’re in for a tough game whenever they play us.”
Time will tell if this will finally be the turning point for the Magpies, who often show promise but don’t quite deliver.
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