Your complete guide to Northern Territory sport in 2024
Whether it was premiership glory or success on the national stage Territory sport enjoyed a huge year in 2024. Here are some of the biggest stories from the year that was.
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Territory sport enjoyed another huge year in 2024 with Territorians excelling both in local competitions and further afield.
Territorians made their presence known with some competing at the top level of the sport, though there was a fair mix of scandal as well.
Check out all the biggest moments in sport from the year that was.
January
REP SIDE SUCCESS
The NTFL Buffaloes have maintained their unbeaten run against the Essendon Bombers in an impressive display of NT rep footy in wet conditions.
Starring performances from the likes of former AFL player Jed Anderson and Nick Yarran allowed the NTFL Buffaloes to beat their VFL foes 11.7 (73) to 5.11 (41).
The NTFL women held on to the narrowest of leads to overcome an Essendon VFLW side that never let up the pressure in the 2024 representative fixture.
The Jasmyn Hewett-led burst out of the blocks to grab the 2.5 (17) to 1.4 (10) against their southern rivals.
February
UNIVERSITY BULLS FOLD
The University Bulls Cricket Club folded due to insufficient funding, despite previously denying rumours it would.
The transient club decided to fold after suffering from a lack of volunteers and being threatened with losing its CDU funding if it merged with another club.
They received a lifeline from the Waratah Cricket Club in March with the clubs agreeing to an amalgamation.
NATIONAL INDIGENOUS CRICKET COMP
The National Indigenous Cricket Championships took place in Alice Springs for its seventh edition, however hosts Northern Territory did not entered a side.
After a poor showing in the 2023 competition and lacking nominations, NT Cricket decided not to put a team forward in either the men’s or women’s comps.
In October, it was announced Cricket Australia planned to move the competition interstate, with Great Barrier Reef Arena and Harrup Park Mackay to host from April 2-7, 2025.
March
UMPIRE ASSAULT
Northern Territory footballer Warwick Williams received a 20-week ban after throwing a young umpire to the ground during PINT’s NTFL elimination final against Southern Districts.
The PINT recruit was caught in the middle of a melee when he reached out and yanked a nearby umpire, attempting to split up the fight, to the ground.
The length of the ban means Williams was deregistered.
NICHOLS MEDAL COUNT
St Mary’s skipper Dylan Landt and PINT’s ruck juggernaut Jasmyn Hewett etched their names into the NTFL history books as they both won the comp’s highest honours for a second time.
Landt made it back-to-back Nichols tilts after polling 23 votes in a season where he led the competition stats with an average of 28.9 disposals per game.
Hewett, who was also best on ground in the NTFL rep game, collected 28 votes after another typically strong year in the ruck.
DENNIS DUNN NAME STRIPPED FROM AWARD
The Northern Territory footballing community expressed their outrage after an NTFL legend’s name was stripped from the prestigious leading goal kicker award.
Dennis Dunn has long been regarded as one of the legends of the NTFL for his goal kicking exploits in the great St Mary’s sides of the 1980s and 90s, with 817 goals.
However, just a couple of days before the 2024 Nichols medal his name was removed from the award, because of a 2016 conviction for smuggling a pound of cannabis to the Tiwi Islands.
NTFL GRAND FINALS
St Mary’s shook off their Nightcliff hoodoo exactly when it mattered to claim their 34th NTFL premiership title in incredibly muddy conditions.
The Tigers had the wood over St Mary’s all season, but in the wet Saints prevailed to win their 34 premiership 5.14 (44) to 3.13 (31), with Joel Garner named the Chaney Medallist.
The PINT women achieved dynasty status after they regrouped late in the final quarter to beat St Mary’s and achieve their third premiership in four years.
The Queenants pushed through with a goal from Steph Lawrence to win 4.3 (27) to 3.4 (22), while their captain Jasmyn Hewett was named best on ground.
DARWIN RUGBY GRAND FINALS
The Casuarina Cougars claimed their second premiership in a row after snatching victory when Trey Crowley kicked the winning penalty in their 33-30 win against University Pirates.
The Cougars wouldn’t secure the B-Grade competition however as they were beaten 17-15 by a Swampdogs as they achieved their first title in more than a decade.
The University women got some glory for their club when they toppled the depleted heavy favourites Darwin Dragons 24-0.
April
CROWNED CHAMP WITHOUT FIGHT
Brett “Jakamarra” Taylor won his fourth championship title in a bizarre set of events.
The Super Welterweight fighter was slated to face his arch rival, however, his opponent was a no show for a fourth time and Taylor won the title as a result.
Taylor then took the opportunity to fight Aussie boxing legend Mark “Chopper” Burgess; up two weight classes.
May
MXGP TO COME TO DARWIN
The Territory was announced as Australia’s home for motorsport after securing the FIM Motocross World Championship from 2025.
The event has not come to Australia in 24 years, but a landmark agreement between the NT government and MXGP rights holder Infront Moto Racing has brought it back.
The Australian exclusive deal runs from September 2025 until 2029, with the option to extend beyond the initial five year term.
NT AFL TEAM BUSINESS CASE
The establishment of an NT team could be realised within the next decade, with key figures stating the location could open a pathway for the AFL into the rest of the world.
The discussion of the NT claiming the AFL’s 20th licence remerged with the completion of a strategic business case, which outlined the key financial and social boons a team could bring.
Former AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou and AFL champions Nathan Buckley and Andrew McLeod joined the NT’s task force aimed at investigating the feasibility of an NT AFL club.
AFL legend Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin also threw his support behind the NT becoming the 20th AFL team on a visit to Darwin.
PGA CANNED
The NT PGA Championship did not go ahead for the 2024 season as $3m worth of key irrigation works went ahead at the Palmerston Golf and Country Club.
The popular event is sponsored by the NT government through Major Events and is estimated to drive $1.6m of local spending each year, though was missed in 2024.
NATIONAL COMPS COME NORTH
Whether they were cheering on family or supporting their childhood club Territory sporting fans were out in force to watch as the AFL and NRL came north.
The Gold Coast Suns were once again successful in their trip to the NT beating both North Melbourne and Geelong in historic fixtures.
However, Melbourne went down to Fremantle in Alice Springs and the Parramatta Eels suffered defeat to the Broncos in the NRL, in what is now their second last Darwin fixture.
June
NRL NT WOMEN EXCEL
Darwin Brothers players Ellie Niki and Latoniya Norris as well as Ana Malupo, who is a Northern Sharks junior, were selected to train with the North Queensland Cowboys in the NRLW pre-season.
It preceded another huge year for the NRL NT women prior to several being selected for international sides in October.
Latoniya Norris (PNG), Ana Malupo (Tonga), Ilisapeci Bari, Abigayle Sekitoga and Nanise Vakacavu (all Fiji) all got the chance to pull on their national colours after winning recognition.
SQUASH CHAMPION
Joseph White took out the title of Australia’s best male squash player at the national championships in Perth against his childhood mate and closest rival.
White defeated fellow Darwinite Rhys Dowling in the final 3-2 in a 70 minute 11-6 11-6 5-11 6-11 11-7 slog-fest.
White’s maiden title, he said it was one of the most physically and mentally taxing matches of his career.
July
SALTIES HOME FINAL
The men’s Salties hosted their first ever home final after ending the regular season with plenty of success with 13 wins from 17.
It didn’t end the way they would have wanted though going down 103-76 at the hands of fourth placed Brisbane Capitals.
The Salties had several big recruits including Kouat Noi and Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, while the women gained the services of Courtney Woods.
A catalyst in the women not qualifying for finals was a freak accident between captain Ruby Porter and starting-five player Catherine MacGregor as they clashed heads accidentally.
FOOTBALL NT’S WAR OF WORDS
Football Northern Territory chairman Stuart Kenny stepped down from his role after eight years as supporters of the game continue calls for investigation into the sporting body.
Kenny, who is also on the NT Cricket board of directors, had been in the role since 2016 but stepped away to focus on business commitments replaced by Selina Holtze.
The significant reshuffle came as conflict of interest complaints emerged against the league and its management of academy NAFA.
August
DARWIN CUP
Hadouken overcame an unfortunate outside barrier and a race filled with winners to claim the 2024 edition of the Darwin Cup.
The galloper who has had nothing but winners in its brief stint in the Top End triumphed again for Peter Robl with often triumphant jockey Tyler Schiller on board.
Hadouken squeaked home, beating Gary Clarke’s Wolfburn on the line.
COMMUNITY FINALS BANNED
Community footy finals could be a thing of the past in Alice Springs after their council passed a motion that its council controlled grounds would no longer host those matches.
It came after the final between Papunya and Ntaria on August 25 was linked to a spate of crime in town, despite police suggesting the crowd were mostly well behaved.
DARWIN HEARTS’ AUS CUP
Darwin Hearts grabbed its slice of history as its men’s premier league side qualified for the Australia Cup Round of 32, beating out bigger Top End clubs.
The Hearts faithful packed out the Darwin Football Stadium to support their team against the visiting Hume FC.
Although a solid half made the game competitive the home team were defeated by NPL powerhouse Hume FC.
BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPIONS
The Darwin Salties have gone back-to-back in the NWBL after beating their arch rivals with a three-pointer that literally came in the final seconds of play.
The Salties were leading for the majority of the match against the Wollongong Roller Hawks, but had to tighten their grip late in the piece when the opposition surged.
Local Tom O’Neill-Thorne along with fellow Salties Jannik Blair, Brown and Jaylen Brown were selected for the Paralympics.
SALTIES RACISM SCANDAL
An alleged racial attack against former Australian Boomer and NBA player Nate Jawai was under investigation following the Darwin Salties knockout game.
Jawai, who played for the Salties in the NBL1 North, was the victim was an alleged racial incident during a sponsor event.
The alleged incident was reported to the Basketball Australia integrity commission, with the individual, affiliated with one of the club’s sponsors, asked not to attend the historic semi-final match in Darwin.
September
THE GRASS IS GREENER IN ASIA
The Territory Stingers sensationally announced it would take part in the Malaysian Hockey League after its attempt to join the Australian Hockey One competition was denied.
The Stingers will compete in the 2025 season, scheduled to take place in February and early March with squads full of junior talent and experienced heads already announced.
The NT government has given the Territory Stingers $150,000 in funding to support their venture.
PALMERSTON CRICKET FINAL WIN
Palmerston bowlers overwhelmed a shaky Waratah batting line-up on day two of the Darwin A-grade cricket grand final, recording an emphatic 150-run first innings victory.
A century to Maroon opening batsman Caleb Montague on day-one and a five-wicket haul with by Palmy skipper Hamish Martin on day-two were the key ingredients in the victory.
NRL NT GRAND FINALS
The Darwin Brothers had a historic grand final day with both their men and women claiming NRL NT glory, with their men putting together one of the best halves of footy to beat the Sharks.
The Brethren put together a near perfect opening half, defending and carrying hard to post 20 unanswered points by half time and went on to win 32-16.
The women completed a three-peat of premierships when they dominated their Palmerston Raiders rivals 40-4.
However, the occasion was dampened by a mass brawl in the women’s final which resulted in several hefty bans.
TPL GRAND FINALS
The East Darwin Storm men’s side capped off a stellar 2024 season in style as it defeated Nightcliff Tigers 4-2 in the final.
In the women’s competition it was an upset for the ages as the undefeated East Darwin were bested on the stroke of fulltime by Commerce Pints in a 2-1 nailbiter.
October
MINDIL’S TREBLE DELIGHT
After falling agonisingly short in 2023, the Mindil Aces women conquered their demons to take out the FNT treble.
Ace’s captain Matt Wallace put together a man of the match performance to help wrap it up for the men’s side too.
The Aces took out the champions trophy, the minor premiers trophy and the cup in a year to remember for the club.
LEGEND RETIRES
Territory sporting icon Brooke Peris decided to hang up the boots, retiring from international duties after a stellar career in which she amassed more than 200 caps.
The Hockeyroos star represented the country at three Olympics and two Commonwealth Games.
The athlete said her heart was headed in a different direction and that she is ready to start her life post hockey.
CANCER SURVIVOR
Todd McManus was playing in Canberra when he fell ill with cancer just when everything including selection to the Brumbies Academy was falling into place in 2017.
McManus fell ill, was ignored by numerous doctors and professionals across multiple states and wasn’t treated till he relocated home to the Top End.
McManus is now a Bowel Cancer Australia spokesman and has returned to playing for the Darwin Dragons, having thought his playing days were over.
November
NTFL SPONSORSHIP STOUSH
A Darwin pilates studio pulled its sponsorship Waratah Football Club after it played in the Territory’s first ever round of matches supporting the LGBTQIA+ community.
The email from a Darwin Pilates studio said it was reneging its sponsorship of the club per its vocal support of LGBTQIA+ peoples and community.
It led to widespread outrage from members of the sporting community.
DARWIN SALTIES OUT
The Darwin Salties will not return in 2025 after being unable to meet the requirements to compete in a new competition in time.
Instead they have decided to press pause on playing and instead concentrate on returning for the 2026 season.
The club announced it had withdrawn from the NBL1 North division in September due to excessive and unsustainable travel and other costs.
MENTHA DRAFTED
Alice Springs product Ricky Mentha became the latest Territorian to find his way on to an AFL list after being picked up by the Melbourne Demons.
The Pioneer Football Club junior was selected as a Category B rookie and becomes the first Centralian picked by the Demons in Next Generation Academy region.
Mentha’s talents have been lauded since he first took the field for the Eagles in the Central Australian Football League, and the small forward quickly progressed through the ranks
December
ELECTRIC FOOTY
An insane spectacle took place during the Tiwi Bombers lone home match of the 2024-25 NTFL season as ‘Hector’ on Bathurst Island.
Torrential rain and lightning strikes struck the oval rendering the match abandoned but delivering some photos worth seeing.
2024 TOP COACH
FC23 founder Matthew McNab was voted the 2024 coach of the year from more than 50 coaches for his efforts growing the academy into something special.
McNab’s passion for the game was evident as a player and coaching was a natural pathway that turned into building an academy Territory kids have really connected with.
Other top coaches for the year by votes were Chris Moore, Roger Chin, Kingsley Whitehurst, Natasha Medbury and John Kensey.
Kennewell still feeling Invincible despite Magic Millions delay
A rain delay is unlikely to affect Victorian filly Invincible Woman’s chances of victory in Friday night’s $3m Gold Coast Magic Millions Classic.
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