Northern Territory’s rich sporting history in good hands with these 28 national and international sports stars
From AFL and Big Bash stars to Olympic medallists, these are 28 standout athletes ensuring the Northern Territory reputation for producing more than its fair share of elite sports men and women rolls on. Check out the list.
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The Northern Territory may have the smallest population in Australia, but our athletes continue to set themselves apart as some the best in the nation.
The Territory has a rich history of sporting superstars such as Olympians Michael Ahmat, Nova Peris, cyclist Cadel Evans, AFL stars Maurice Rioli, Michael Long, Andrew McLeod and Darryl White are all regarded as AFL greats. There is a long list of high performers across the other sports too.
We’ve taken a look at the professional Territory athletes of today whether they’re cricketers, motorsport athletes or hockey stars.
The list outlines Territory athletes performing at the top levels of their chosen sports in 2024.
This is not an exhaustive list so let us know -- in the comments section below -- about Territorians at the top of their game.
BRANDAN PARFITT – AFL
The Nightcliff junior very quickly cemented himself as a genuine star of the future when he won the NTFL Rising Star award in 2016. He was drafted to Geelong that same year and stuck it out with the club becoming a premiership player in 2022, a grand final he kicked a goal in.
KEIDEAN COLEMAN – AFL
The Katherine man set the AFL alight in the 2023 finals series with some stellar showings for the Brisbane Lions. He unfortunately was unable to continue that run due to a major Round 1 injury in 2024, but when he comes back oppositions will be expecting him to be a danger.
DANIEL RIOLI – AFL
The three-time premiership winner with Richmond and 2017 Goal of the Year winner has established himself as a staple of the competition. Rioli has 104 goals in 174 AFL matches, though reformed as a back line player in the 2021 season where he has impressed.
WILLIE RIOLI Jr – AFL
Another product of the Garden Point football factory the man has shown off his magnificent skills on the main stage for both West Coast, where he won a premiership in 2018, and more recently Port Adelaide. In the NTFL he was the youngest winner of the Chaney Medal.
MAURICE RIOLI Jr – AFL
The son of one of the best regarded players in history, Maurice Rioli, is starting to make a name of his own at the Richmond Tigers. Maurice Rioli Jr is known for his pressure acts in the forward line and goal sense when he finds himself in the area.
BEN LONG – AFL
The St Mary’s junior achieved the 100-game milestone this year, a match he kicked four goals in for the Suns against Essendon. Long was initially drafted to St Kilda, but moved to the Gold Coast outfit for their connection to his home region.
ZAC BAILEY – AFL
The 24-year-old started life as a footballer at Southern Districts, and his performances there and at the SANFL got him picked up by Brisbane in the 2017 draft. He has established himself as a first teamer in the years since, and was impressive in the Lions’ 2023 finals campaign.
JOEL JEFFREY – AFL
The son of NT legend Russel Jeffrey and Wanderers junior was always destined to take his game to the top level. He is part of a strong crop of young Territory players at the Gold Coast Suns and has the X-factor and ability to play forward or back as required.
LLOYD JOHNSTON – AFL
The boy from Borroloola captured interest in his debut season with Wanderers where his high leap and marking ability took opposition offences by surprise. He won the 2022 NTFL Rising Star, played in the NT rep side and that same year was drafted to the Suns where has had a taste of AFL footy.
MALCOLM ROSAS – AFL
Rosas became the first Territorian picked up by the Gold Coast Suns as part of the connection between the club and Darwin. The Buffaloes club player has established himself in the side with his pace and ability to find goal.
STEVEN MAY – AFL
May’s 200-plus AFL career includes lengthy stints at both the Gold Coast Suns and Melbourne Demons. It’s at the latter where the defender cemented himself as one of leagues best with a premiership and two All Australian selections.
DANIELLE PONTER – AFLW
A generational talent, Ponter has already achieved greatness in a short time frame. A proud St. Mary’s alum, the Crow has won two Premierships with Adelaide in 2019 and 2022, was named in the 2023 All-Australian Team and was a 2019 AFLW Rising Star nominee.
LATONIYA NORRIS – LEAGUE
Norris is one of the brightest talents in Territory rugby league with a best and fairest medal to her name down to her ability to find the try line. She was selected for the PNG Orchids in the 2023 Prime Ministers Cup, and alongside Alana Malupo and Ellie Niki is on a pre-season contract with the Cowboys NRLW side
CLARENCE McCARTHY-GROGAN
The man they call CJ has become one of the talismans of wheelchair basketball, particularly in the Top End where he has spearheaded clinics. He has played across the world and has pushed heavily for selection into the national side for the Paralympics.
TOM O’NEILL-THORNE
O’Neill-Thorne took up the sport when he was nine and quickly rose to prominence getting his first taste of international action as part of a gold-winning under-23 side. He has since played in two Paralympics, with sights on a third, and won a World Championships.
BROOKE PERIS – HOCKEY
Cousin of Olympic gold medallist Nova Peris, Brooke became the 26th Hockeyroo to play 200 caps earlier this year. A Nightcliff Tigers junior, Peris has scored 34 goals in the green and gold. She has a Commonwealth Games silver medal and is heading to her third Olympic Games in Paris in July.
JEREMY HAYWARD – HOCKEY
Regarded as one of the best players of his generation, Hayward has earned 224 caps for the Kookaburras, netting 119 goals in his 10 year tenure. The Waratahs HC junior was named the world’s best defender in 2023, has two Commonwealth Games gold medals, an Olympic Games silver medal and has a plethora of additional cups and titles to his name.
LEON HAYWARD – HOCKEY
Older brother of Jeremy, Leon is the current goalkeeper for the NZ Black Sticks. Having previously represented Australia in under-21s and as a senior, Leon has represented NZ at the Comm Games and Olympics.
D’ARCY SHORT – CRICKET
Katherine’s Short has pulled on the green and gold for Australia’s One Day and T20 International sides a total of 31 times. A damaging left-handed opener and a handy spinner, Short has played his trade in the Sheffield Shield, Big Bash, IPL, County Cricket and The Hundred.
JAKE WEATHERALD – CRICKET
A talented top order batter, Weatherald burst onto the scene playing for the Northern Territory Strike in the West End Premier League. The Darwinite has been a mainstay for both the Adelaide Strikers and SA Shield teams since 2015-16.
KANE RICHARDSON – CRICKET
Born south of the border but having spent the majority of his childhood in Darwin, Richardson has been one of the nations premier short form quick over the past decade. With 25 ODI and 36 T20I caps, Richardson currently plays for the Renegades and Queensland Bulls.
TOM ANDREW – CRICKET
A Darwin Eagles junior that represented the NT under-17s/19s and under-19s Australian sides has been a handy all-rounder in Sheffield Shield and List A for the past decade. A former Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Renegades player, Andrews has been representing Tasmania since 2020.
CAMERON COOK – FOOTBALL
Current shot-stopper for Perth Glory, Alice Springs born Cook has racked up 24 caps at the age of 22. The keeper has also made two appearances for the under-23s national side at the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup in Qatar.
JOEL KELSO – MOTOGP3
Originally from Wide Bay, the 21-year-old has been tearing up the tarmac in Moto3 for the past four seasons. Earning his maiden podium in Rd. 16 last year, Kelso has continued his form and sits fifth overall as of Rd. 5.
ROSSI JOHNSON – SUPERUTES
A rookie with a big passion for racing, Johnson made the decision to switch from Toyota 86’s to SuperUtes late last year. Nicknamed ‘The Territorian’ by his peers, the number 333 has had a tough start to his career but is improving each time he throws on the helmet.
BRYCE FULLWOOD – SUPERCARS
Since bursting onto the scene and taking out the Dunlop Super2 Series title in 2019, Fullwood has hopped around teams while in the big time, landing with BJR in 2022. With just the one podium from his 110 starts, Fullwood’s best finish came last season when his placed 11th overall in the drivers standings.
JOSEPH WHITE – SQUASH
Current Australian National Champion and Australian representative, White is carving out a name for himself in the world of squash. Currently ranked inside the Top 100, White has his sights set on LA 2028; squash’s reintroduction into the games.
RHYS DOWLING – SQUASH
Australian representative and second highest ranked male in the country, Dowling was felled by good mate White in the Aust. Championship final recently. Just outside the 100, Dowling too has his sights set on LA.
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