Tiwi Bombers call for less 2pm men’s games in NTFL 2025-26 season

The Tiwi Bombers have called for a more equal schedule after the overwhelming majority of their NTFL Men’s Premier League games were marked down for the hottest time of day.

The Tiwi Bombers have called for a more equal schedule after the overwhelming majority of their Men’s Premier League games were marked down for the hottest time of day.

The Bombers are scheduled to play 13 of their 16 matches at 2pm or sooner, including their three home games on Bathurst Island that take place at 1.30pm.

Meanwhile, the Buffaloes and Wanderers both have four - the next most at that time slot - with Nightcliff and PINT the fewest with just one, each games against the Bombers.

Only three games not including Tiwi were scheduled at that time, those being Wanderers versus Buffaloes in Round 1, Wanderers versus Palmerston in Round 13 and Buffaloes versus Districts in Round 14.

The Tiwi Bombers in the 2025-26 NTFL season. Picture: Patch Clapp / AFLNT Media

It comes in contrast to last season where the Bombers had a more even schedule with just seven games played when the sun was at its peak.

As it stands the NTFL has access to seven ovals with lights, TIO Stadium, TIO 2, Gardens Oval, DXC Arena, Nightcliff Oval, Cazalys Arena and now Norbuilt Oval.

Tiwi coach Patrick Bowden said the schedule had been made around travel considerations rather than player wellbeing.

“We don’t want to play all our games at that time, it’s very difficult to keep playing when we have to back up at that time,” he said.

“Last year we requested an equal fixtures and got that and as a result we were able to better prepare our players to be competitive.

“If one team has to play 13 games at 2pm then perhaps all teams should have to and if one team is doing it three times then all teams should be the same.”

Tiwi Bombers coach Patrick Bowden has called for a more even fixture after his side were fixtured for 13 out of their 16 games to be played at 2pm in the 2025-26 NTFL season. Picture: Patch Clapp / AFLNT Media

Bowden said it wasn’t so much about playing the odd 2pm fixture if all clubs had to, but more an issue of backing up week after week at that time.

In his first year coaching he found teams playing at 2pm had a performance drop off the following week and that was true beyond just the Bombers.

“A one off is okay, there’s two teams out there on the day so both teams will struggle to run out games in the heat,” he said.

“It’s just the players we have are coming from a remote community where the nutrition and hydration possibilities are not as easily accessible or affordable.

“We try to start the work the day before but that preparation needs to start three or four days before and what we can do isn’t enough to be playing at that time consistently.

“Weighing players before and after consistent 2pm games is something you could do to get some data on the impacts but at the moment we’re just focusing on preparing our guys.”

An AFLNT spokeswoman said fixtures were decided based on a range of logistical and operational factors.

“Prior to public release, fixtures are determined through consistent off-season consultation with clubs and are set around a range of logistical, financial, and operational factors,” they said.

“We’ll continue to work closely with all clubs including the Tiwi Bombers to ensure their operation and participation remain sustainable.”