The NTFL’s best players for the 2021-22 season by the stats revealed
Wanderers’ elite defensive kicking, Nightcliff’s multifaceted forward line and an all-conquering ruckman were statistical standouts of the Men’s Premier League.
Northern Territory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Who were your club’s best performed players in season 2021-22?
It’s a matter of opinion of course but NT News has dug up the numbers which reveal the players who clearly shone across the key benchmarks of disposals, marks, goals, kicking efficiency, inside 50s, rebound 50s, clearances and tackles.
Some familiar names popped up, like Darwin Buffaloes jet Jarrod Stokes who charted across all but one of those categories, as Palmerston gun Eric Guthrie led his club in disposals, marks, inside 50s, tackles and clearances.
Meanwhile, Nightcliff’s even spread of goalkickers and possession winners, and Wanderers’ clean defence by foot, also stood out.
SEE WHO MADE YOUR CLUB’S TOP FIVES AND OVERALL MVP
The NT News will also be streaming all of the men’s and women’s finals
Darwin Buffaloes
It should be no surprise Buffs star skipper Jarrod Stokes makes the top five for all but one of eight benchmarks highlighted by NT News in the 2021-22 season.
That includes top placings for most disposals (first), clearances (second), insides 50s (first) and marks (third), while also making the list for goals (fifth), tackles (fifth) and rebound 50s (fifth).
Star ruckman, Buffaloes best and fairest and NT News player of the year winner Ben Archard also proved his versatility by collecting the club’s second highest amount of disposals and clearances, while recording the highest number of taps for the competition (561), almost twice as his nearest opponent, Patrick Gallow (298).
However, the stats showed the Buffs perhaps lacked a focal point up forward this year, with Hassan Ahmat-Watkins’ 20 from eight games the competition’s lowest for leading club goalkickers.
Disposals
Jarrod Stokes: 273
Ben Archard: 238
Kevin Maroney 216
Bradley Stokes: 213
Thomas Clarke: 208
Marks
Kevin Maroney 66
Jackson Clark 64
Ben Archard 63
Jarrod Stokes 62
Lachlan McKenzie 58
Goals
Hassan Ahmat-Watkins 20
Adam Sambono 15
Jayden Kickett 12
Thomas Baulch 12
Jarrod Stokes 10
Kicking efficiency
Lachlan McKenzie 77 per cent
Tyrone Bean 75 per cent
Kevin Maroney 73 per cent
Brad Stokes 72 per cent
Jackson Clark 70 per cent
Inside 50s
Jarrod Stokes 68
Thomas Clarke 45
Patrick Boles 45
Charles Sharples 39
Ben Archard 35
Rebound 50s
Brad Stokes 42
Lachlan McKenzie 41
Kevin Maroney 41
Cade Abala 35
Jarrod Stokes 31
Clearances
Ben Archard 63
Jarrod Stokes 59
Patrick Boles 37
Thomas Clarke 32
Gareth Remfrey 29
Tackles
Charles Shraples 40
Brad Stokes 36
Luke Roberts 35
Tim Eldridge 34
Jarod Stokes 33
MVP: Ben Archard
Nightcliff
In the middle was where the reigning premiers did a lot of their damage in 2021-22, boasting easily the competition’s most prolific midfield, with four players within the top six.
Brodie Filo (357) collected the highest number of disposals in the NTFL, closely followed by Daniel Bowles (333), Sam Harper (320) and Shaun Wilson (316).
Filo (first), Wilson (third) and Bowles (fourth) also charted high for the club when it came to distributing the ball inside 50.
It also had an even spread of goalkickers with Cameron Ilett (32 goals), Kyle Emery (30), Trent Melville (28) and Wilson (23) slotting healthy numbers.
Disposals
Brodie Filo 357
Daniel Bowles 333
Sam Harper 320
Shaun Wilson 316
Ryan Nyhuis 223
Marks
Shaun Wilson 83
Daniel Bowles 75
Cameron Ilett 75
Ryan Nyhuis 64
Sam Harper 63
Goals
Cameron Ilett 32
Kyle Emery 30
Trent Melville 28
Shaun Wilson 23
Thomas North 16
Liam Holt-Fitz 16
Kicking efficiency
Darcy Keast 87 per cent
Simon Deery 81 per cent
Ryan Nyhius 80 per cent
Joel Budrick 73 per cent
Daniel Bowles 72 per cent
Inside 50s
Brodie Filo 64
Bailey Edwards 60
Shaun Wilson 53
Daniel Bowles 49
Sam Harper 45
Rebound 50s
Daniels Bowles 91
Nathan Brown 52
Ryan Nyhuis 47
Simon Deery 37
Darcy Keast 27
Clearances
Sam Harper 50
Brodie Filo 49
Bailey Edwards 41
Thomas North 38
Shaun Wilson 28
Tackles
Phillip Wills 41
Nathan Brown 36
Jamie Jones 36
Sam Harper 35
Liam Holt-Fitz 33
MVP: Shaun Wilson
St Mary’s
Two names standout in particular at the Green Machine – Nate Paredes and Jackson Calder – as the Saints storm towards the finals with serious momentum after a 117-point smashing of Wanderers in round 18.
Paredes collected the fourth-highest number of touches during the home and away season – and the club’s most amount of inside 50s and clearances – while Calder shone up forward, with a league-high number of goals and the club’s most marks (68).
Meanwhile, Kieran Parnell was the league’s most accurate kick (89 per cent) for players who had registered at least five games during the season.
Disposals
Nate Paredes 331
Nick Yarran 201
Lachlan Taylor 176
Henry Labastida 173
Dylan Landt 160
Marks
Jackson Calder 68
Nate Paredes 57
Henry Labastida 54
Zach Robinson 43
Lachlan Taylor 36
Goals
Jackson Calder 58
Nigel Lockyer Jnr 20
Nick Yarran 18
Nate Paredes 14
Joseph Salmon 11
Kicking efficiency
Kieran Parnell 89 per cent
Jacob Long 81 per cent
Shannon Rioli 79 per cent
Samuel Holna 77 per cent
Isaiah Baldock 70 per cent
Inside 50s
Nate Paredes 90
Dylan Landt 54
Nick Yarran 46
Lachlan Taylor 43
Joseph Salmon 39
Rebound50s
Jacob Long 46
Matt Wilkinson 37
Lucas Jellyman-Turner 25
Grant Gallus 25
Zach Robinson 23
Kieren Parnell 23
Clearances
Nate Paredes 83
Dylant Landt 37
Henry Labastida 32
Jack Kluske 25
Nick Yarran 22
Shaun Edwards 22
Tackles
Nick Yarran 54
Nate Paredes 43
Zach Robinson 37
Jack Kluske 27
Jake Toa 25
MVP: Nate Paredes
Southern Districts
It has been a year of ups and downs for Districts but Michael Bowden remained ultra consistent.
Bowden placed top in the league for rebound 50s – an incredible 124 times – second for disposals and topped his side in kicking efficiency.
In recent rounds, however, Districts have found plenty of momentum with their forward line racking up the scores through the double threat of Leigh Williams and Jonathon Ross.
Ross in particular stands out across a number of stats, but both will be crucial if Districts are to go deep in finals.
Disposals
Michael Bowden 352
Jack Ganley 244
Frazer Driscoll 214
Jake McQueen 211
Jonathon Ross 191
Marks
Jack Ganley 71
Leigh Williams 68
Michael Bowden 57
Jake McQueen 56
Frazer Driscoll 55
Goals
Jonathon Ross 38
Leigh Williams 35
Jack Ganley 16
Josiah Farrer 16
Beau Schwarze 13
Dylan Barry 13
Kicking efficiency
Michael Bowden 75 per cent
Aron Morrish 75 per cent
Charles McAdam 73 per cent
Luke Delahey 73 per cent
Michael Duffy 72 per cent
Inside 50s
Jack Ganley 72
Jake McQueen 46
Jonathon Ross 40
Dean Staunton 39
Dylan Barry 37
Rebound 50s
Michael Bowden 124
Frazer Driscoll 79
Luke Delahey 43
Ethan Maney 33
Charles McAdam 32
Clearances
Jack Ganley 35
Josiah Farrer 33
Dean Staunton 27
Patrick Gallow 25
Conor Bowden 23
Tackles
Dean Staunton 46
Jack Ganley 42
Frazer Driscoll 39
Michael Bowden 34
Jake McQueen 33
MVP: Michael Bowden
Waratah
It’s the top five which could go some way to explaining Nightcliff’s relatively easy defeat of the Tahs in round 18 by 35 points.
Without two of its most best goalkickers against the Tigers – Corey Rich and Cameron Arnold – Waratah struggled to kick a winning score at Gardens Oval, despite a bag of five from its most prolific forward in 2021-22, Jayden Magro (39 goals).
Rich also charted in the club’s top five for marks (first) and disposals (fifth), underlining his importance to the club’s finals chances.
Disposals
Dylan Collis 313
Brodie Carroll 257
Jayden Magro 249
Robert Turnbull 247
Corey Rich 204
Marks
Corey Rich 82
Jayden Magro 68
Dylan Collis 63
Jake Bowd 57
Brodie Carroll 55
Goals
Jayden Magro 39
Corey Rich 24
Brodie Carroll 18
Harrison Kitschke 18
Cameron Arnold 13
Kicking efficiency
Dom Booth 77 per cent
Amya Ross 77 pe cent
Nicholas Gooch 74 per cent
Zach Griffiths 74 per cent
Daniel O’Dwyer 71 per cent
Jake Bowd 71 per cent
Inside 50s
Jayden Magro 79
Robbie Turnbull 60
Dylan Collis 50
Brodie Carroll 49
Abe Ankers 39
Rebound 50s
Jake Bowd 60
Daniel O’Dwyer 56
Dylan Collis 41
Amyas Ross 36
Joel Crocker 28
Clearances
Robert Turnbull 50
Brodie Carroll 46
Thomas Cree 33
Abe Ankers 33
Joel Stevens 32
Tackles
Brodie Carroll 64
Dylan Collis 43
Jayden Magro 39
Robbie Turnbull 32
Tom Cree 31
MVP: Jayden Magro
Wanderers
Werribee recruit Brodie Newman is thought to be irreplaceable in the Eagles line up, and the numbers back up that theory.
Newman not only charted fourth in the club’s most disposals count, he pulled in the most marks, and intercept grabs, for the league.
The stats also underline the Eagles’ tight yet polished defence, with Newman, Mitchel Taylor and Lloyd Johnston all going at 72 per cent or better with kicking efficiency.
However, the club’s reliance on leading goalkicker Eddie Simpson (38 majors) – who has been absent since the Christmas break – could be exposed in finals with the next best being Keelan Fejo’s 16.
Disposals
Jarred Erlandson 262
Marcus Totham 254
Daniel Clee 250
Brodie Newman 220
Beau O’Connell 220
Marks
Brodie Newman 95
Daniel Clee 78
Daniel Weetra 65
Braedon McLean 62
Thomas Motlop 58
Goals
Eddie Simpson 38
Keelan Fejo 16
Darren Shillabeer 13
Beau O’Connell 8
John Tipiloura 8
Kicking efficiency
Mitchel Taylor 78 per cent
Alexander Weetra 75 per cent
Daniel Weetra 75 per cent
Brodie Newman 73 per cent
Nathan Jones-Cubillo 73 per cent
Insides 50s
Beau O’Connell 60
Marcus Totham 49
Keelan Fejo 39
Warwick Williams 38
Jobastin Priest 35
Rebound 50s
Brodie Newman 59
Daniel Weetra 58
Mitchel Taylor 54
Lloyd Johnston 44
Braedon McLean 29
Clearances
Jarred Erlandson 49
Matthew Motlop 33
Daniel Clee 26
Jereome Motlop 25
Marcus Totham 24
Tackles
Daniel Clee 46
Matt Motlop 42
Joel Cubillo 42
Keelan Fejo 41
Jarred Erlandson 31
MVP: Brodie Newman
Palmerston
A quick glance at Palmerston’s stats will tell you one thing — Eric Guthrie is a gun.
Guthrie not only features in just about every statistical benchmark for his club, but tops them, gathering pole position in disposals, marks, inside 50s, clearances and tackles.
His disposal game was one of utmost importance to his side and something that was noticed whenever he was absent from the squad.
The 2020-21 Rising Star winner Ryan Warfe also pops up across plenty of statistical divisions, and is one who continues to improve his game in the Magpies midfield.
Disposals
Eric Guthrie 305
Ryan Warfe 208
Max Sutton 193
Steven Lampton 185
Lennon Marlin 180
Marks
Eric Guthrie 64
Steven Lampton 55
Ryan Warfe 52
Liam Flanagan 49
Chris Williams 47
Goals
Daniel Stafford 28
Eddie Betts 13
Chris Williams 10
Justin Cooper 8
Waylon Davey 8
Kicking efficiency
Josh Hollamby 85 per cent
Liam Flanagan 74 per cent
Ryan Warfe 73 per cent
Alwyn Davey 71 per cent
Lennon Marlin 67 per cent
Inside 50s
Eric Guthrie 69
Chris Williams 34
Steven Lampton 28
Luke Meadows 28
Max Sutton 28
Rebound 50s
Lennon Marlin 55
Liam Flanagan 36
Eric Guthrie 35
Alwyn Davey 26
Clarence Baird 24
Clearances
Eric Guthrie 77
Max Sutton 37
William Rowbottom 31
Chris Williams 28
Luke Meadows 22
Tackles
Eric Guthrie 55
Max Sutton 40
Ryan Warfe 37
Kallyn Groves 25
Chris Williams 24
MVP: Eric Guthrie
Tiwi Bombers
The Bombers haven’t played as many games as other clubs due to Covid difficulties, but there have still been some clear standouts.
Magic man Dion Munkara had plenty of the football, gathering 191 disposals, while also topping the clearances, inside 50s and rebound 50s.
The newly-recruited Kim Kantilla was also regularly in his side’s best, collecting the most goals and marks while also performing well in disposals and inside 50s.
The side was perhaps most let down by their lack of a consistent scorer outside of Kantilla, who shone when he managed to get the ball in his hands.
Disposals
Dion Munkara 191
Kim Kantilla 143
Nicholas Hooker 117
Harley Puruntatameri 103
Brendan Kantilla 99
Marks
Kim Kantilla 56
Michael Thompson 36
Michael Dunn 31
Brendan Kantilla 29
Dion Munkara 28
Goals
Kim Kantilla 23
Anthony Munkara 9
Harley Puruntatameri 6
Paulinis Tipungwuti 6
Michael Thompson 5
Kicking efficiency
David Kruse 79 per cent
Brendan Kantilla 78 per cent
Nicholas Hooker 73 per cent
Aidan McAdam 68 per cent
Shane Austral 66 per cent
Inside 50s
Dion Munkara 49
Kim Kantilla 29
Harley Puruntatameri 22
Michael Thompson 21
Paulinis Tipungwuti 18
Rebound 50s
Dion Munkara 38
Nicholas Hooker 38
Brendan Kantilla 26
Shane Austral 23
David Kruse 19
Clearances
Dion Munkara 24
Edward Puruntatameri 21
Harley Puruntatameri 20
Nicholas Hooker 16
Kim Kantilla 15
Tackles
Nicholas Hooker 22
Brendan Kantilla 21
Doug Cunningham 20
Dion Munkara 19
Kim Kantilla 19
MVP: Dion Munkara
More Coverage
Originally published as The NTFL’s best players for the 2021-22 season by the stats revealed
‘See some records broken’: First medals given out as ‘Games with Heart’ kicks off
One of the biggest weeks on the Red Centre sporting calendar is underway in full force, drawing thousands of competitors – some of whom have already taken out the top prize. SEE THE PICTURES.
Fire fears as heritage-listed mural sits forgotten after $3m acquisition
A fire danger period being declared hasn’t spurred the government into action over a site it acquired for more than $3 million – leading to fears an important piece of NT heritage could be reduced to ash.
Ankle monitors no deterrent for young crims as cafe boss hit twice
Two hospitality venues in Palmerston have been ransacked to the tune of about $20,000, with incredible CCTV stills illustrating at least one devil-may-care youth offender wearing an ankle monitoring bracelet.
‘Support us’: Flood-prone community holds emergency meeting with authorities
A remote Top End community with a long history of being hit by floods has met with authorities, calling for greater emergency support and a long-term solution to house their residents.
Darwin soldier claims boozy brawl was a ‘preemptive strike’
A young Darwin soldier has claimed his defence training spurred him to shatter a man’s jaw in a popular Top End nightclub.
REPLAY: Magpies impress in first outing of new campaign
Is this a changing of the guard moment in the NTFL women’s competition? A young Palmerston side has overcome a rebuilding Waratah to kick off their season in style. Check the REPLAY.