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The Top 10 footballers to watch at the Northern Territory v Claremont representative game

From a prolific Queenant onballer to a former VFLW goalkicker, these are the players to keep an eye on in the Northern Territory v Claremont game.

Replay: NTFL Representative Games – NTFL Men's v Woodville-West Torrens Men's

Representative football returns to TIO Stadium next month with the Territory taking on South Fremantle and Claremont in the men’s and women’s fixtures.

Since the concept’s resurgence in 2020, both of the NT’s rep teams have remained undefeated.

However, it will be a tough encounter for the NT’s premier women, coming up against reigning WAFL premiers, Claremont Tigers, on January 22.

Guided by 2021-22 flag-winning coach Melinda Taylor, the 52-member NT squad is marked by 10 PINT players, plus six from St Mary’s and her Darwin Buffettes.

10 women’s players to watch in the Territory representative match

Billie Byers – St Mary’s

A key plank of the Saints’ eight-game winning run to Christmas, footnoted by a best on ground display in an all-important 25-point win over ladder leaders PINT in the closing round.

The 23-year-old former Magpie, who has also played in Queensland competitions and for NT Thunder, has slotted nine goals from 11 games and named in the club’s best on seven occasions.

Byers, who also played for Eastside in the Big Rivers Football League in 2022, has been one of the Saints’ smarter recruits of the season so far, alongside Jemma Iacono and Tikesa Docherty-Cole from premiers Buffettes.

Molly Althouse – Darwin Buffettes

Molly Althouse (right) won the Gwynne Medal in 2021-22. Picture: Supplied.
Molly Althouse (right) won the Gwynne Medal in 2021-22. Picture: Supplied.

The reigning Gwynne medallist has helped her Buffettes hold onto fifth place by the Christmas break.

The star ruck has been consistent force again in 2022-23, four times named in her club’s best from nine games, including a best on ground performance in an 82-point smashing of Palmerston in Round 6.

Kylie Duggan – Darwin Buffettes

Kylie Duggan has starred on both the basketball court and the footy field in 2022. Picture: Celina Whan / AFLNT Media
Kylie Duggan has starred on both the basketball court and the footy field in 2022. Picture: Celina Whan / AFLNT Media

The club’s great all rounder – she also played with the Darwin Salties in the NBL1 North competition in 2022 and is part of the undefeated Tracy Village Jets women’s team – has been named three times in her club’s best from eight Women’s Premier League games.

That includes a best on ground against Waratah, albeit in a 72-point losing cause in Round 2, while she also slotted two majors against Palmerston in Round 6.

The 2021-22 premiership player simply leads by example on the field.

Jahla Hunt –PINT

Jahla Hunt was judged best on ground in PINT's reserves grand final. Picture: AFLNT Media.
Jahla Hunt was judged best on ground in PINT's reserves grand final. Picture: AFLNT Media.

Judged best on ground in PINT’s reserves grand final win, Hunt has grown into one of the best players in the competition.

The prolific onballer has been named in her club’s best in all but one of her 11 matches this year.

In her second season with the Queenants, Hunt also played eight games with Eastside in the Big Rivers Football League in 2022, who went on to win the premiership by two points.

Jasmyn Hewett – PINT

Jasmyn Hewett (right) made her NTFL return in Round 5 against Tiwi Bombers on Bathurst Island. Picture: Alison McGowan / AFLNT Media.
Jasmyn Hewett (right) made her NTFL return in Round 5 against Tiwi Bombers on Bathurst Island. Picture: Alison McGowan / AFLNT Media.

The AFLW premiership player made her return to Women’s Premier League in Round 5, kicking two goals against the Tiwi Bombers on Bathurst Island — proving to be a handy foil alongside fellow forward Stephanie Lawrence.

Returning for PINT’s only loss for the season, against St Mary’s just before Christmas, Hewett is expected to play more games after the break.

Stephanie Lawrence – PINT

Lured up north by friend and Carlton VFLW teammate Sarah Ingram, Lawrence has had a huge impact with 30 goals from just nine matches.

She slotted five on NTFL debut against the Tiwi Bombers in Round 5, backing it up with six against the struggling Wanderers the following round.

Sophie Hatzismalis – Nighctliff

Sophie Hatzismalis playing against Woodville-West Torrens at TIO Stadium. Picture: Glenn Campbell;
Sophie Hatzismalis playing against Woodville-West Torrens at TIO Stadium. Picture: Glenn Campbell;

One of the Tigers’ premier players, Hatzismalis has been named in her club’s best in half of her 10 Women’s Premier League games so far, from a season played in the ruck and defence.

The former Waratah junior has become one of the club’s most dependable players over the past five seasons.

She also represented the Territory last January against Woodville-West Torrens.

Mickayla Ward – Nightcliff

Nightcliff champion Cameron Ilett and Mickayla Ward show off the Australia Day Medal. Picture:
Nightcliff champion Cameron Ilett and Mickayla Ward show off the Australia Day Medal. Picture:

In a similar vein to PINT’s Hunt, Ward has been judged in her club’s best each round with extreme regularity (six games).

That includes best on ground performances in a three-point loss to the Tiwi Bombers and Southern Districts.

Kicking 13 goals from 10 games, it includes a mini bag of three against the Crocs in a 62-point thrashing.

She went to the Christmas break in good form, too with four majors against Palmerston as the Tigers slotted seven unanswered majors by quarter time.

The star forward, in her fourth season at Nightcliff, also played 14 games with the Western Bulldogs in the VFLW competition in 2019.

Isobel Hartog – Waratah

Simply one of Waratah’s best in 2022-23, Hartog has played all over the ground in Women’s Premier League.

Including a best on ground performance in a 95-point belting of the Tiwi Bombers, Hartog has been named in her club’s best on six occasions this year.

Isobel Hartog In the Women's semi final between PINT and Waratah. at TIO Stadium. Picture: Glenn Campbell
Isobel Hartog In the Women's semi final between PINT and Waratah. at TIO Stadium. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Freda Puruntatameri – Tiwi Bombers

With the Bombers playing in their first Women’s Premier League season, Puruntatameri has been a crucial asset in their 4-7 campaign so far.

A former Essendon VFLW and Palmerston player, it’s no surprise she has been named in Tiwi’s best on five occasions from just eight games.

Has thrilled the crowds whenever the Bombers have returned to Bathurst Island, with impressive displays against PINT in a losing cause and a 41-point win over Southern Districts.

Full squad:

Akayla Peterson (PINT), Amy Chittick, (PINT), Anna Traill, (PINT), Annabel Kievit

(Waratah), Arthurina Moreen (Tiwi Bombers), Billie Byers (St Mary’s), Cassie McWilliam

(Nightcliff), Christy Landwehr (Nightcliff), Ciaralii Parnell, (St Mary’s), Crystal Browne (Darwin Buffaloes), Dakotah Pettit-Holmes (Palmerston), Deontae Sheppard-Greenoff (Nightcliff), Elisa Niki (Darwin Buffaloes), Emma Clifton (Nightcliff), Emma Stark

(St Mary’s), Freda Puruntatameri (Tiwi Bombers), Freda Wosomo (Darwin Buffaloes),

Hannah Torsney (Palmerston), Isabella Rapson-Staropoli (Waratah), Isobel Hartog (Waratah),

Jahla Hunt (PINT), Jasmine Ware (Tiwi Bombers), Jasmyn Hewett (PINT), Jemma Iacono

(St Mary’s), Jessica Fatnowna (Palmerston), Kalliopi Gikas (St Mary’s), Kierra Zerafa (Waratah), Kylie Duggan (Darwin Buffaloes), Lily Harden (Southern Districts), Madeleine Jeans (Waratah), Maria Rioli (Tiwi Bombers), Marietta Puautjimi (Tiwi Bombers), Matisse Hunter (Nightcliff), Mesapa Frank (Palmerston), Mickayla Ward (Nightcliff), Molly Althouse

(Darwin Buffaloes), Naomi Celebre (Waratah), Nayana Patmore (Tiwi Bombers), Noreen Mungatopi (Tiwi Bombers), Reni Hicks (PINT), Rhania Hewitt (Southern Districts), Rhiarna Myatt (PINT), Sarah Ingram (PINT), Shaqkayla Bading (Tiwi Bombers), Sophie Berry (Southern Districts), Sophie Hatzismalis (Nightcliff), Stephanie Lawrence (PINT),

Tatyana Perry (Palmerston), Tayla Hart-Aluni (Darwin Buffaloes), Tikesa Docherty-Cole

(St Mary’s), Tsharni Graham (Palmerston), Zoe McWhinney (PINT)

Northern Territory to take on South Fremantle in annual representative matches

Historic connections will be honoured as the best of the NTFL prepare to take on two top clubs from Western Australia in the 2023 NTFL Representative matches.

The famed ochre, black and white jerseys will return to the field for the third year in a row, this time against historically linked South Fremantle and the women’s premiers Claremont Tigers.

The matches will be played on January 21.

There is no shortage of connections between South Fremantle and the NT, with their first meeting coming in 1973.

On that day at Gardens Oval the NTFL rep side coached by Tony Shaw and featuring past greats such as Darryl Window and Joe Cooper went down by 80 points.

South Freo once more flexed their muscles in 1998 beating a Mark Motlop coached NTFL contingent with Chris Williams and Michael Athanasiou by 30 points.

But the connections don’t just rest on two games with many NT greats such as Sibby Rioli, Basil Campbell, Benny Vigona, Willie Roe, Cyril Rioli, and more recently Ben and Shannon Rioli pulling on the colours of the WA club.

And perhaps most notably after 188 games at Richmond Tigers Maurice Rioli Sr captained the club in 1988 and 1989.

South Fremantle chief executive Cameron Britt said the trip was about far more than just a game of football.

“South Fremantle Football Club has a strong and enduring connection with the NT, and it was exactly 50 years ago that Sibby Rioli travelled to Fremantle Oval to play for us in 1972,” Schwartz said.

“From this trailblazing moment, we have welcomed dozens of Territory footballers to our Club, truly enriched by their skill, courage and outstanding character.

“This trip is far more than just a game of football. It is about connecting with a community that means a great deal to our club, honouring the history and legacy between the NT and us.”

The NTFL women will face WAFL reigning premiers Claremont, which was one of the four inaugural WA women’s teams when the competition began in 1988.

Coached by Jack Schwartz the Tigers have produced multiple AFLW products including Isabella Lewis and Ella Smith.

Head of AFLNT Sam Gibson was “thrilled” to have South Fremantle and Claremont heading north for the representative fixtures.

“We’re thrilled to have South Fremantle locked in as our men’s opponent for 2023 and we look forward to celebrating the historical connection between South Fremantle and the NT,” Gibson said.

“We’re also thrilled to have reigning WAFLW premiers Claremont heading to Darwin to take on our women’s team.

“The opportunity to recognise the best players across the NTFL competition and face strong West Australian opponents in January is exciting.”

AFLNT Hall of Famer Mark Motlop will take on the Chairman of Selectors role for the men’s side, while AFLNT Life Member and former NT News Sport Editor Grey Morris will take the reins of the women’s side.

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Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/sport/local-afl/south-fremantle-and-claremont-tigers-to-face-ntfl-representative-side/news-story/a8c6fd7c4572399831fd3e18db9a9684