From Dane Swan to Willie Rioli: The ex-AFL stars taking over the 2025-26 NTFL season
Richmond champion Dustin Martin is in talks with a Top End footy club – but he’s not the only star talent on the NTFL radar. See the full list and how to watch them live.
Call it a Territory talent show or retirement home for ex-AFL players, either way the NTFL has experienced an influx of star power for season 2025-26.
More than 20 footballers with experience at the elite level have either pulled on the boots in Darwin or are in line to do so this campaign.
From Brownlow Medallists to four-club journeymen, we’ve taken a look at every former AFL player who has landed in the NT.
And there could be more to come with Richmond champion Dustin Martin just one name in talks for an appearance this season.
You can catch watch all of the big stars live with every NTFL Men’s Premier League match live streamed exclusively on KommunityTV.
WATCH THE FULL 2025-25 NTFL SEASON LIVE
DANE SWAN
(Waratah/Collingwood)
The Brownlow Medallist arrived with plenty of fanfare and delivered, helping Waratah to a Round 3 win over Palmerston and giving the club plenty of reasons to smile.
Swan picked up 16 disposals – well down on the lofty numbers of his Magpies career – playing mainly in defence but produced one of the moments of the day with a goal in the fourth quarter.
The 258-game Collingwood champion said post-match the win was more important than any personal recognition and even flagged a potential return to the Top End this season.
“Hopefully I can get up and play a couple more but you would have to ask the coach if I’ve held my spot first,” Swan said.
BRANDAN PARFITT
(Nightcliff/Geelong)
Of the players on this list who could slot back onto an AFL list with little fuss, Geelong premiership player Parfitt brings plenty of talent and experience back to his junior club.
The 27-year-old returned to the Tigers last season for the first time since being drafted and played eight games as they fell one win short of a grand final appearance.
Parfitt has already shown his quality this campaign with a 31-disposal display against Palmerston.
WILLIE RIOLI
(Tiwi/West Coast/Port Adelaide)
The West Eagles premiership player made his NTFL return playing for the Bombers, and his first match couldn’t have been scripted better being against his junior side St Mary’s.
The small forward recently retired from the AFL after a career that also included a stint with Port Adelaide scoring 151 goals from 109 games.
And already he has made a mark scoring goals and inspiring those around him with his ability working in tandem with the natural talent of the Bombers.
JAMES ROWE
(PINT/Adelaide)
The Greenants have shot out of the blocks early in the season with ex-Adelaide small forward Rowe a crucial part of that success.
Running through the midfield as well as attack, he has four goals in five games so far and is averaging 24.2 disposals per game.
With 36 AFL appearances and a SANFL premiership under his belt, the energetic Rowe will undoubtedly be one of the key factors if PINT is to continue its hot form.
QUINTON NARKLE
(Southern Districts/Geelong/Port Adelaide/Fremantle)
AFL journeyman Narkle was one of the big talking points of the NTFL off-season with links to multiple clubs before being picked up by the reigning premiers.
It proved a masterstroke for a side that has already shaped up as one of the best on paper in the NTFL with Narkle a menace through the middle and up forward.
Narkle played 59 AFL games across three clubs including Geelong, Port Adelaide and Fremantle before calling time on his career.
JAYDEN DAVEY
(Palmerston/Essendon)
After an injury-affected career with Essendon ended following the 2024 season Davey – son of 100-game Bomber Alwyn – sought a fresh start back at his junior club.
The exciting forward made four appearances for the Magpies last campaign and has featured three times already this season as the club looks to rebuild around its youth.
ANTHONY MUNKARA
(Tiwi/Essendon)
The NTFL human highlight reel was selected as a Category B Rookie by Essendon and since his delisting has been must-watch viewing in the Top End.
He returned to his junior club of Waratah in the 2023-24 season, but it’s his exploits since moving to the Tiwi Bombers that have caught more than a few eyes.
Last season he had highlights galore with his incredible marks, goals from positions most would consider impossible and celebrations to match.
JED ANDERSON
(Southern Districts/Hawthorn/North Melbourne/Gold Coast)
Anderson is now in his third season back in the NTFL and continues to be one of the league’s standout performers.
The hard tackler knows how to find the ball and make use of it and that’s why he’s consistently among the Nichols medal favourites having played a chief role in Crocs premiership last season.
Anderson played 99 games for Hawthorn and North Melbourne, but departed for the Territory before playing a top flight game for the Gold Coast Suns.
The big booted midfielder is known for his celebrations and has already pulled out a couple of gems this season.
RORY ATKINS
(Nightcliff/Adelaide/Gold Coast/Port Adelaide)
Nightcliff pulled a late surprise on the eve of the season with the addition of the three-club AFL veteran for its Round 1 clash with Tiwi.
Atkins, fresh off retirement from Port Adelaide, had 29 touches, 11 contested possessions and nine marks in a strong display to help the Tigers start the campaign with a win.
ALWYN DAVEY JR
(Palmerston/Essendon)
Davey Jr played 20 games across two seasons on the Bombers’ list but did not do enough to keep his spot for 2026 and instead made his return to Territory footy in Round 4.
Playing alongside brother Jayden and cousin Waylon, the 21-year-old collected 14 disposals in the defeat to Wanderers.
At his best Davey Jr is an exiting prospect with a lot of good footy ahead of him and the Magpies will be keen to see him pull on the black and white again this campaign.
STEVEN MOTLOP
(Southern Districts/Geelong/Port Adelaide)
The former Geelong and Port Adelaide player has enjoyed a successful journeyman-esque career since returning to the Top End.
Motlop first returned to his junior club of Wanderers, kicking 12 goals in a single match on one occasion, before joining his brother Shannon Motlop at PINT while the latter was coach.
Last season he moved to a third club in as many years getting on board the Districts train for what was a successful tilt at the 2024-25 flag.
At PINT he proved his versatility moving from his usual forward role to a position down back and has proven his ability to transition across the ground since.
BRAYDEN CROSSLEY
(PINT/Gold Coast)
Crossley, who played 10 games in two years on the Suns’ list, has more recently made his name as one of the most dominant state league ruckmen in the country.
He made his PINT debut in a brilliant win over St Mary’s in Round 5 where the Southport co-captain recorded 29 hit outs and 11 disposals, eight of those contested.
The 26-year-old said after the game he would be back for more at PINT and was “really excited”.
ASH JOHNSON
(Southern Districts/Collingwood)
The talented former Magpie kicked 36 goals in a 27-game AFL career and, despite his recent double-delisting, continues to show his talent in the north.
Another Districts selection in what is the best-credentialed list in the NTFL, Johnson is related to two Districts stalwarts in Will and Josiah Farrer and was a junior at the club before his time in the AFL.
RYAN NYHUIS
(Nightcliff/Fremantle)
Nightcliff co-captain Nyhuis made his return to the side in Round 4 and quickly slotted back into his usual backline general role.
The Tigers junior was picked up by Fremantle in the 2016 rookie draft and would feature for Peel Thunder in their first ever WAFL flag.
Nyhuis booted four goals in his AFL debut, including one with his first kick, but since returning to the NTFL has for the most part played in the backline, as he did as a junior.
Known as one of the best defenders in the comp, he was a standout in the 2023-24 season when he helped the Tigers to a grand final and is determined to lead them to a flag.
ASHTON HAMS
(Tiwi/West Coast)
Hams is a true veteran of the game winning a WAFL premiership in 2009 ahead of a 39-game stint with West Coast where he scored 41 goals.
Those footy smarts haven’t dulled with time now known for his work in the back line for the Tiwi Bombers where it isn’t uncommon for him to rack up a game topping disposal count.
The WAFL great for South Fremantle has made a name for himself in the NT with standout stints at Banks, Palmerston and now the Bombers.
LLOYD JOHNSTON
(Southern Districts/Gold Coast)
The former NTFL Rising Star got his chance to experience the big league playing in front of thousands at AFL level with the Gold Coast Suns.
His skills shone most on the turf of TIO Stadium, the Suns home away from home, and was perhaps unlucky not to have featured as much in the 2025 season.
The VFL premiership winner who played his junior football with Wanderers returned to the NTFL with Districts this time around as he aims for a flag in his home competition.
JACK PERIS
(Nightcliff/St Kilda)
The son of Olympians Nova Peris and Daniel Batman, Peris spent two years on St Kilda’s list for one AFL game along with 53 VFL outings for Sandringham and Essendon.
He returned to his junior club in Round 1 against the Bombers but has not pulled on the Tigers guernsey since.
SAM DARLEY
(Tiwi/GWS Giants/Western Bulldogs)
An on-field leader with plenty of years’ experience in this Tiwi Bombers outfit by this stage and a huge advocate for their development
Darley is often around the ball and alongside the likes of Ashton Hams plays a key role allowing the Tiwi magic to shine across the rest of the field.
He’s never one to avoid a contest and though he’s not living in Darwin this season is still someone the Bombers look up to.
WADE DERKSEN
(Nightcliff/GWS Giants)
Another Territory product back to play for a strong Tigers side, Derksen marked his first NTFL game since 2022 with a four-goal haul in Round 5.
The versatile tall, picked up by the Giants in the 2022 AFL mid-season draft, was delisted last month.
WILL ROWLANDS
(Southern Districts/Gold Coast)
The Districts junior returned home after his delisting from the Gold Coast Suns and started the season with a bang scoring three goals.
His time at the Suns included a run of 16 games including 18 goals, though his time was limited after due to injury.
Unfortunately, Rowlands was injured in Round 3 and is likely out for at least the next few months after what was an exciting return to action.
BEN DARROU
(Palmerston/Richmond)
Former Richmond rookie Darrou spent three years on the Tigers list as a key defender but has made an impact up forward in his first two games for Palmerston.
The 31-year-old booted three goals and provided a focal point in attack as the Magpies took it right up to the Tiwi Bombers on Saturday.
Darrou did not manage to make a senior appearance for Richmond and has more recently played with VAFA club Collegians and Tatura in the Goulburn Valley Football League.
JADEN MCGRATH
(St Mary’s/Brisbane)
McGrath, who played three games at the top level for the Lions, has featured in the NTFL for the Saints since 2017.
He split his time across the Premier League and reserves last campaign but has featured in two games for the top side this season.
The 29-year-old was drafted by Brisbane at the end of 2014 but decided to call time on his AFL career after losing his desire to play at the elite level in 2016, despite being contracted for two more seasons.
ISIAH WINDER
(Southern Districts/West Coast)
Seven-game former West Coast midfielder-forward Winder was the latest big recruit for the Crocs after suiting up last round against Wanderers.
The 23-year-old, who was delisted by the Eagles at the end of 2023 and has since been plying his trade in the WAFL with South Fremantle, was one of Districts’ best with 22 touches and two goals on debut.
MATT CAMPBELL
(Buffaloes/North Melbourne)
Campbell, 38, has been a stalwart of the Buffaloes since finishing up at North Melbourne in 2012.
The 82-game AFL forward has since featured for the Buffs for 13-straight seasons while also being a consistent feature in the Central Australian Football League.
Was due to make his first appearance for the season in Round 6 against St Mary’s before a late injury ruled him out.
TREY RUSCOE
(Waratah/Collingwood)
Ex-Magpie Ruscoe was a big inclusion for the Tahs ahead of their important clash with competition pace-setters Southern Districts on Friday night.
The utility managed three score assists and just eight disposals on debut as his side fell five points short.
Drafted to Collingwood as the 55th pick in the 2019 draft, Ruscoe played 18 AFL games in the black and white across four seasons.
ZACH O’BRIEN
(Waratah/Brisbane)
Three-game Lions player O’Brien also made his NTFL season debut in the blockbuster against the Crocs.
The 35-year-old had 12 touches, five contested, in Waratah’s defeat.
RUMOURED
While the NTFL is well-stocked with ex-AFL talent, there is likely more to come.
Richmond premiership legend Dustin Martin is the biggest name lined up to play after it was revealed this week the Brownlow Medallist could make his footy return with St Mary’s.
Former West Coast midfielder Connor West was a big inclusion for four games with Saints last year, including the grand final, and looks set to return as a fly-in at some stage.
Jeremy Finlayson – delisted in August after 128 games at Port Adelaide and GWS – has been confirmed by Tiwi coach Patrick Bowden to be joining former teammate Willie Rioli at the Bombers.
Another former Power player in defender Tom Clurey could join the list of gun recruits at Southern Districts with the potential to return after seven games with the Crocs last season.
Former North Melbourne player Tarryn Thomas has also been linked to Districts, however the club issued a statement on Monday that no decision had been made “regarding his potential involvement”.
At PINT, gun ruck recruit Brayden Crossley confirmed his Southport Sharks co-captain Jacob Dawson would be making a return to the Greenants.
The ex-Gold Coast Sun previously played a one-off game for the club in 2022.
Live stream: How to catch all the NTFL Round 9 action
