Dom Carbone announced as Collingwood Magpies’ VFLW captain for season 2025

Darwin Buffett’s new captaincy role, four Territory footy talents ball-out, a TKO after hiatus and the return of football headline this week’s edition of Sports Shorts.

Dom Carbone, Daniel Rioli, Bronson Powell.

The NT News sports team is continuing to highlight the achievements of the Territory’s unsung athletes and sports news you might have missed each week.

Check out this week’s edition with stories from AFL, VFLW, Muay Thai and football.

MARCH 18, 2025

NT’S ROLE IN SUNS’ BIGGEST VICTORY

Daniel Rioli of the Suns in action during the round one AFL match between West Coast Eagles. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Three Territory footy guns played very well at the weekend, all major contributors in Gold Coast’s largest ever winning margin - 20.16 (136) to 7.7 (49) against West Coast. Three time Richmond premiership player Daniel Rioli had a memorable debut for the Queensland outfit, while Ben Long and Joel Jeffrey had a great start to their campaign. The trio recorded the following stat lines:

Daniel Rioli – 2 goals, 21 disposals, 5 marks, 1 clearance

Ben Long – 4 goals, 1 behind, 12 disposals, 5 marks, 1 goal assist

Joel Jeffrey – 20 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 1 goal assist

FOOTBALL NT ROUND 1

Men’s Premier League season 2025 action started at the weekend, smack bang in the middle of AFL NT’s grand finals, with the women’s competition kicking off Saturday 22. Garuda made light work of Azzurri winning in a 5-1 scoreline with David Gonzalez scoring a hat-trick for the orange and black. Olympic and Casuarina played out the first draw of the season in a 1-1 result. A feisty clash, Olympic were dealt one red and a yellow to Casuarina’s three yellow cards. Hearts kept Port scoreless in a 4-0 victory, Angel Giri the star of the round with a four-goal first half. Elsewhere 2024 champions Mindil finished the round with a 1-1 draw against rivals Hellenic.

CARBONE CAPTAINS COLLINGWOOD

Dom Carbone (left) playing for the Darwin Buffaloes against the Tiwi Bombers in Round 4 of the 2024-25 NTFL season. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Reigning VFLW B & F winner and Darwin Buffaloes alum Dominique Carbone has taken on the prestigious role as Collingwood VFLW captain for 2025. After captaining the Bulldogs to a grand final last season and spending part of her off-season with the Double Blue in the NTFL, the small forward will take to the field for the first time in her new colours against Geelong for Round 1.

POWELL’S SYDNEY KNOCKOUT

Bronson Powell won his first bout after a hiatus from the sport. Picture: Facebook

Territory fighter Bronson Powell completed a stellar outing down in Sydney with a terrific second round TKO. Fighting out of Lukphinong Muaythai the 22-year-old’s victory puts him in good stead with his Australian debut mere months away.

BAILEY BRILLIANCE

Zac Bailey (right) post match vs. Sydney Swans Rd 1. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Southern Districts junior Zac Bailey was another Territory boy who had a massive first hit-out at the weekend. The Lions premiership centre was immense in his side’s four-point victory over the Swans. He finished the match with 4 goals, 1 behind, 17 disposals, a mark and a clearance.

Originally published as Dom Carbone announced as Collingwood Magpies’ VFLW captain for season 2025