Darwin Buffettes star Molly Althouse says she has been in discussions with an AFLW team
Darwin Buffettes champion Molly Althouse says she’s been in discussions with an AFLW club as Nichols Medallist Eric Guthrie thanked Eddie Betts for his influence this season. NICHOLS MEDAL WRAP UP
Northern Territory
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Gwynne Medallist Molly Althouse has been in discussions with an AFLW club, the champion ruck has told NT News this morning.
“I’ve only had one club chat to me at the moment,” Althouse said at a press conference at the Michael Long Learning and Leadership Centre, who finished fourth in last year’s count.
“I’ve got AFLW ambitions, but I’m pretty happy where I am at the moment.”
Althouse, a teacher’s aid, who supports the Western Bulldogs in the AFL but has a soft spot for the Adelaide Crows in the AFLW, said she was at the gym at the start of the count before her phone started blowing up with messages.
She rushed home to watch the count on the family computer with her mum over a roast dinner.
“I was shocked, mum was crying,” the 19-year-old said, winning the medal with 20 votes, two clear of her nearest rival, Waratah’s Lisa Roberts.
“I really didn’t know what to think.
“It was pretty good to be around family.
“I was really lucky to hold on in the end, ‘Robbo’ nearly got me.”
She thanked her Buffettes teammates for making her a better player, including captain Kylie Duggan.
“Our team has built a sisterhood like no other,” she said.
“I couldn’t do it without them.
“(Duggan) lifts me up when I’m down, she always knows what to say and what to do if I need anything
“When I’ve had games where I’ve got into my own head, she’s been able to tell me to push through and I’m doing all right when I’m telling myself that I’m not.
“Telling me everything is going to be OK.”
She also got a text message of congratulations from NT footy icon Colleen Gwynne, who was an influential coach during Althouse’s time in the NT Thunder program.
Despite the win, Althouse’s sights remain firmly on the Women’s Premier League grand final against Nightcliff this Saturday.
“I just want to get out on the oval already, the build-up is killing me,” she said.
Althouse said she celebrated with a few drinks last night, and ran into Nichols medallists Eric Guthrie and Daniel Bowles at a Darwin pub.
Guthrie, who reportedly got home at 3am this morning, while Bowles was a no show at the media event, is looking forward to giving his body a rest and enjoying the NT’s dry season with some camping and fishing.
The left-footer, who works at a local croc farm, had a “sneaky suspicion” he might poll well on Sunday night.
“(But) it was a bit of a shock when I actually won,” he said.
“There was a bit of carry on when I won it.
“To do it in black and white colours was pretty special.”
Guthrie also thanked his teammates for aiding his super consistency this season, with a special mention for Eddie Betts, who played a handful of games with the Magpies in 2021-22.
“He was a major one, he brought a lot of life to the club,” he said.
“He’s put a bit of a spark back in NT footy.
“We’re both probably the two larrikins of the footy club, we used to muck around a fair bit.”
It was just Guthrie’s second NTFL season after moving up north from Victoria, taking time to adjust to the speed of the game and the weather.
“NT footy’s a lot faster, it’s a lot harder to read the play. The ball just flies around,” he said.
“If it’s not lightning it’s 2.30pm, stinking hot, being a red head… it’s pretty brutal the conditions sometimes.”
When asked if he had done anything different this season to take his game to new heights, a laconic Guthrie admitted with a laugh: “I just wing it half the time”.
Eric Guthrie, Daniel Bowles and Molly Althouse named the league’s best
AFTER a thrilling vote count, Palmerston’s Eric Guthrie and Nightcliff’s Daniel Bowles were joint winners of the prestigious Nichols Medal while Darwin Buffette Molly Althouse took home the Gwynne Medal.
Guthrie cemented himself as a standout, go-to player for the Magpies in the 2021-22 season, taking his game to new heights.
A pivotal part of his club’s midfield, Guthrie had already been awarded the Magpies’ best and fairest and topped most statistical benchmarks for the club.
Hailing from Harrow-Balmoral, Guthrie averaged 5.5 clearances, 21.8 disposals and 10.9 contested possessions across 14 games, while also playing for the Territory in the annual representative match..
Meanwhile, consistent Nightcliff halfback Bowles capped off a brilliant year for the Tigers, ranking in the top two intercept markers of the league with 32 for the home and away season.
The Shepparton defender has made a name for himself with his sweeping left kick and this season ranked third in disposals (333).
The duo finished on 14 votes each, one clear of Darwin Buffaloes skipper Jarrod Stokes and three ahead of Wanderers midfielder Marcus Totham.
Earlier, Darwin Buffette Molly Althouse won the Gwynne Medal, capping off after a massive season in the Women’s Premier League.
After finishing fourth in the count last year, the 19-year-old ruck, who was the best on ground in the Territory representative game, topped the tally with 20 points, two clear of Waratah’s Lisa Roberts, and five above Nightcliff captain Eliza Morrison and Southern Districts skipper Bella Clarke, who finished joint third.
Meanwhile, speedy Wanderers defender Lloyd Johnston and Waratah ruck Annabel Kievit have won the NTFL’s Rising Star awards for the Men’s and Women’s Premier League season 2021-22.
The pair were named at the annual Nichols and Gwynne Medal ceremony on Sunday night, which was held online this year due to the “ongoing threat” of Covid.
Johnston, who was the round four Rising Star nominee, slipped seamlessly into Wanderers’ back six this year and was arguably the leading Eagle in its elimination defeat of Southern Districts by 12 points.
Johnston is a product of the Eagles’ junior program who became known for sweeping runs, turning defence into attack, complementing the likes of Braedon McLean, Brodie Newman and Mitch Taylor who all made the Territory’s representative side against Woodville-West Torrens.
He has also been a beneficiary of the Clontarf Foundation which guides and mentors young indigenous people.
The talented teenager also ranked ninth in the league for intercept marks and 13th for defensive 50 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Kievit was heralded for a standout season for Waratah, who played 10 Premier matches during the home and away season and kicked two important goals in a two-point preliminary final loss to Nightcliff on Saturday.
She also played with the Gold Coast Suns in the AFLW Under 17 championships in Queensland in September last year and was named in the Territory representative team’s game against Woodville-West Torrens in January.
Other winners so far at the Nichols and Gwynne awards ceremony:
Dennis Dunn Leading Goal Kicker: Jackson Calder (St Mary’s, 58 goals)
Women’s Leading Goal Kicker: Lisa Miceli (Waratah, 37 goals)
ABC Player of the Year: Brodie Carroll
ABC Umpire of the Year: Joel Morrison
Men’s Coach of the Year: Ryan Ayres
Women’s Coach of the Year: Melinda Taylor
Men’s Division 1 Mitch Lee Medal: Edward Morris (Banks Bulldogs, 19 votes)
Men’s Division 1 Leading Goal Kicker: Mathias Liddy, St Mary’s, 55 goals)
Men’s Division 2 Lancaster Medal: Duane Von Senden (Banks Bulldogs, 23 votes)
Men’s Division 2 Leading Goal Kicker: Aaron Knapman (Banks Bulldogs, 52 goals)
Women’s Division 2 Best and Fairest: Rhiarna Myatt (PINT)
Women’s Division Two Leading Goal Kicker: Danielle Wiseman (Nightcliff, 10 goals)
Volunteer of the Year: Tamara Spence (Jabiru Bombers)
Big Club of the Year: Southern Districts Football Club
Small Club of the Year: Jabiru Bombers Football Club
Most Improved Club: Jabiru Bombers Football Club
NTFL’s Nichols and Gwynne fancies
Who will take home the Nichols and Gwynne medals on Sunday night?
There have been some incredible individual performances from NTFL players this year, across the men’s and women’s competitions, especially from those in struggling teams, like Darwin Buffaloes big man Ben Archard to Palmerston’s Eric Guthrie.
In the Women’s Premier League, Southern Districts midfielder Bella Clarke, was a force behind the Crocs' late push for finals.
Also in the mix this year are previous Nichols and Gwynne medal winners: premiership Tiger Brodie Filo, key Eagle Beau O’Connell to Tahs general Lisa Roberts.
However, key absences include Wanderers’ elite defender Brodie Newman, who despite his great season, is ineligible after picking up a suspension.
Here are ten players from the Men’s and Women’s Premier League competitions who are poised to poll well on Sunday night.
SEE OUR TOP TEN FANCIES
Men’s Premier League
Jayden Magro
Club: Waratah
In 16 matches this season, Magro was second in the league for goals with 39, including two bags of five, and seven against Palmerston.
A dynamic player who can burst through the middle and create scoring opportunities at will, he ranked second for inside 50s as well as a top five finish for score assists.
The East Perth product also finished with the most behinds in the comp (44), and will be hoping his accuracy is on point come grand final day.
Beau O’Connell
Club: Wanderers
While only playing 10 games this year, O’Connell continued to show why he is one of the premier midfielders in the league.
Among those who played more than 10 games in the year, he led the league in average uncontested possessions and inside 50s, and ranked fourth for average disposals.
The joint winner of the 2019/20 Nichols Medal, O’Connell was also in the top 15 players for score assists.
He should poll three votes for a 41-possession and two-goal performance in round 11.
Brodie Filo
Club: Nightcliff
The two-time Nichols medallist continued to be a headache for opposition coaches this year, leading the league in average disposals for players that played more than 10 games.
He was fourth in uncontested possessions, fifth in contested possessions, and was in the top 10 for inside 50s.
A five week-stretch between round seven and 11, where he averaged 29 touches and a goal a game, will be sure to have him in the mix for the Nichols.
Ben Archard
Club: Darwin Buffaloes
Joint winner of NT News Player of the Year award, Archard dominated in the ruck this season, finishing with 561 hit-outs — almost 250 clear of the next best (312).
Archard was also a contested beast, ranking third in the league for total clearances and fourth for contested possessions.
He may find it harder to poll than other favourites with the Buffaloes only winning four games in the year, but will surely attract the umpires’ attention for a 25-possession, 55-hitout and one-goal performance in round 18.
Eric Guthrie
Club: Palmerston
Guthrie was at the top of his game for Palmerston this season, finishing near the top in plenty of statistical categories.
Despite only playing 14 games, he finished second in clearances and contested possessions, third for tackles, four for inside 50s and eighth for total disposals.
Although Guthrie may struggle to poll due to Palmerston’s disappointing year, he may get a look in Round 13 where he collected 33 possessions (17 contested), and 10 inside 50s.
Brodie Carroll
Club: Waratah
What a season it has been for the Waratah co-captain.
He missed out on a game or two after Christmas, but strong performances across the season will see him poll well.
The ABC Player of the Year is the season’s premier tackler with 64 tackles to his name and has been dubbed in some circles as a meat magnet.
Contributing 18 goals to his side’s success, Carroll’s focus will now be solely on ensuring his side breaks the NTFL’s longest premiership drought on grand final day.
Nick Yarran
Club: St Mary’s
The joint NT News Player of the Year, alongside Buffaloes’ Ben Archard, brought all his pace and physicality to season 2021-22.
With the Saints often enjoying slick starts to matches, Yarran was usually key to that early intensity.
The third best tackler in the league (54) showed that his rugby league experience with Darwin Brothers had upped his game.
He was also the third highest goal scorer (18) for the Saints, complementing his defensive skills.
Michael Bowden
Club: Southern Districts
The rebound king of the NTFL should poll well after another consistent year.
It may not have been the finish that Districts wanted this season, going down to Wanderers in week one of finals, but when they fired, Bowden was often the key.
The defensive stalwart had a massive year, finishing second in the league’s disposal count (357) and top of the rebound 50s (124) tally.
He also had an impressive outing for the Territory in its representative game against Woodville-West Torrens.
Shaun Wilson
Club: Nightcliff
The key Tiger had an impressive start to the year, doing plenty to catch the eye in the NT News Player of the Year award, early on in the count.
Slotting an impressive 23 goals for the season, which included a bag of five against Wanderers at home, he also placed sixth in the league’s disposal count (316).
A versatile player who can fill a number of roles, either forward or through the middle, Wilson will face stiff opposition to get votes in a strong Nightcliff outfit.
Nate Paredes
Club: St Mary’s
The Saints skipper had a brilliant first year in charge, leading from the front each and every week, and the stats show it.
From 14 games, he won the clearance count (83) and topped the inside 50s (90) for the league, and was also the disposals leader (331) for the Green Machine.
So often the centre of the Saints’ forward movement, he will be a focal point for his side throughout the remaining finals series.
Paredes is still in the running for the Nichols Medal after accepting a reprimand for striking in round 10.
Women’s Premier League
Molly Althouse
Club: Buffettes
Can the versatile Buffettes player improve on her fourth place in last year’s Gwynne Medal?
Althouse had another big season in 2021-22 and was a major reason why Darwin qualified for the Women’s Premier League grand final next weekend.
The forward and ruck, who gained valuable experience in the SANFLW with Glenelg and league football for the Territory, polled 15 votes in last year’s count and is expected to bank plenty more on Sunday night.
Kylie Duggan
Club: Buffettes
Fellow Buffettes gun and skipper Duggan is only facing one problem ahead of Sunday night’s count: Molly Althouse might steal votes off her.
The 37-year-old former NT Thunder player, who will also suit up for the Darwin Salties women’s team this season, has been “the glue” for the Buffettes, coach Mel Taylor told NT News, and a role model for juniors graduating into the senior team.
“She’s one of the most mature and professional athletes that’s ever graced Territory sporting arenas,” Taylor said.
Primarily a midfield player, Taylor said she had put Duggan in just about every position this season except for full back.
“I rested her for one game too, which she didn’t like at all,” Taylor said.
“The only problem is Molly stealing votes off her.”
Lisa Roberts
Club: Waratah
The Tahs general will be looking to claim her third Gwynne Medal after wins in 2017/18 and 2019/20.
Waratah coach Heidi Thompson said Roberts had been allowed to play with more freedom this year, after relinquishing coaching duties this season, and it showed.
Playing primarily a midfield and defensive sweeper role, the NTFL stalwart only missed two games during the season — providing an impressive body of work for the umpires to consider.
Annabel Kievet
Club: Waratah
The talented 16-year-old could add a Gwynne Medal to a NT News Rising Star nomination this season.
A consistent performer across ten games in the Women’s Premier League, who also played for Gold Coast in the Under 17 NAB AFLW Championships, she provided an important ruck and forward role for the Tahs.
Coach Heidi Thompson said Kievet was already being considered as a “draftable player”.
“She’s performing beyond her years,” Thompson said.
She was also impressed with the teenager’s improving endurance – able to run out games in all conditions – and was in the club’s top six best players most games.
Eliza Morrison
Club: Nightcliff
The Tigers champ, who has also turned out for VFLW club Western Bulldogs, was one of Nightcliff’s most consistent performers in season 2021-22.
Morrison is expected to poll well during Nightcliff’s home games, with coach Shannon Millar believing she played her best footy under lights.
One of the club’s co captains, Millar said Morrison had been a great leader on and off the field with thorough routines to ensure she’s at her best when it’s needed most.
Playing primarily on-ball, Morrison also drifted forward at times to kick the odd six-pointer.
Isabelle Porter
Club: St Mary’s
The Saints captain took to her new leadership role with aplomb.
Saints had a strong start to the year, but as wins became harder to come across later in the season, Porter remained among their best.
Whether in the midfield or up forward, Porter has not let her side down one bit.
Always eye-catching on the ball, Porter is sure to poll strongly for her strong runs and efficient disposal.
Bella Clarke
Club: Southern Districts
Clarke is another first year captain who has not looked out of place in a leadership position.
Her ability on and off the ball have been well noted for some time, and this year was no different.
And her leadership was so well regarded, despite her young age, she was rewarded with co-captaincy of the Territory representative team against Woodville-West Torrens.
Sophie Hatzismalis
Club: Nightcliff
The Tigers defender, who represented the Territory against Woodville West Torrens earlier this year, is a rising star who gets better and better each week, Tigers coach Shannon Millar says.
Finding her true calling in defence, Hatzismalis produced plenty of drive off half back and was heralded for her ability to read the play.
Millar said Hatzismalis had become an impact player, who sometimes slipped under the radar with opposing teams, and was among the Tigers’ best in a losing second semi-final on Saturday to the Buffettes.
Amy Chittick
Club: PINT
The super consistent Chittick racked up her 150th Premier game this season, a great effort for a player still relatively young at 24 years of age.
The premiership-winning ruck and forward, who could be relied upon to kick a six-pointer, is respected by all teams, but will it be another for her to claim her first ever Gwynne Medal?
Reni Hicks
Club: PINT
The former Carlton AFLW player played her second season of NTFL this season and left nobody doubting her quality.
The only thing that might count against the ruck rover is game time, missing a big chunk of games at the start of the year.
Coach Rick Nolan said Hicks was also a “red hot favourite” to win the best and fairest for the club this season even if she doesn’t claim the Gwynne.
A slick Saint and Buffs big man win NT News Player of the Year award
Capping off a massive year, two players – St Mary’s forward Nick Yarran and Darwin Buffaloes ruckman Ben Archard – have shared the NT News best player award.
It was a fierce contest throughout the year with many players taking the top spot on separate occasions including Waratah’s Jayden Magro and Nightcliff’s Shaun Wilson.
But ultimately it came down to a tie between the hit out king in Archard and the pacy goal sneak in Yarran who both gathered 16 votes a piece.
At the end of the season there was four points separating the top two and seventh place just showing how many elite players have popped up throughout the 2021-22 NTFL season.
READ THE WINNER’S STORIES BELOW:
NICK YARRAN (ST MARY’S)
It’s hard to believe at one stage St Mary’s goal sneak and defensive pressure prince Nick Yarran “hated footy” and it felt like “a chore”.
However, combining his Green Machine exploits with a half back and hooker role at A Grade Rugby League club Darwin Brothers during the off-season became the ultimate circuit breaker for the once dispirited 24-year-old.
And the all-year-round commitment bore fruit this week, with Yarran winning the NT News De Silva Hebron player of the year award after a standout Men’s Premier League 2021-22 season, sharing the award with Buffaloes ruckman Ben Archard.
Cold, hard data also reveals how rugby has complemented Yarran’s footy, becoming one of the league’s top tacklers (third with 54) this season and the Saints’ leading scalp-taker.
“Playing a lot of rugby for Darwin Brothers has definitely helped with my tackling technique and my aggression,” Yarran said.
“That’s probably the main thing I focus on with every single game.
“It creates goals and it’s one of the best thing you can have in the game.”
Also, playing rugby has given Yarran a much-needed mental refresh and an outlet away from the pressures of NTFL.
It’s been anything but a social hit out, though, with Yarran named best on ground in the Brothers’ A Grade grand final win in 2020.
“Just refreshing my mental health… playing another sport,” the former NT Thunder member said of the benefits of union.
“I played rugby until I was 15, then I focused on footy.
“(But) footy became a chore... I kept going and did OK. But playing rugby is so refreshing to me, mentally, helped me play better footy.
“Last year I played decent (in the NTFL), and obviously this year I played a bit better.
“It wasn’t enjoyable for a bit. It was just so hard to play, I wasn’t very focused.”
Yarran admits it took a long time to fully appreciate Australian Rules, and there was a point where his heart wasn’t in it.
“I wasn’t really interested in footy, because I was so used to playing rugby, people running straight,” he said.
“I used to get frustrated going through the junior ranks.
“I hated footy, I didn’t like it at all. (But I) slowly got better and better.”
Alongside his impressive tackle count this season, Yarran has also been a club leader in disposals (second), goals (third), inside 50s (third) and clearances (fifth).
It also comes six years after he claimed the NT News Rising Star award.
“I’m happy with everything, footy, work, everything’s fine,” he said of his current situation.
“I’ve been pretty happy with the season I’ve had.”
BEN ARCHARD (DARWIN BUFFALOES)
ALL-CONQUERING in the ruck and lifting his game, week after week, has set Darwin Buffaloes ruckman Ben Archard above the pack.
And for that reason, he has been named the joint NT News De Silva Hebron player of the year award — alongside Nick Yarran from St Mary’s.
In the ruck the man in Double Blue was clearly the best, capping off his season with a 55-tap game against Southern Districts to bring his season tally to 561 from 15 matches.
The next closest individual tally this season was 298 from Southern Districts’ Pat Gallow.
Archard took his all-round game to another level in recent weeks too, often topping the disposals count for his club.
He puts his growth as a player down to his fitness, inspired over the Covid period to hit the gym like never before, shedding over 10kg.
“Winning this (award) is up there with one of the best achievements I’ve had in my football career. I’m very proud of my season,” Archard said.
“It’s probably the most amount of effort I’ve put into a season, fitness-wise.
“It’s the fittest I’ve ever been.
“I’ve sort of put (my success) down to that fitness edge, I’ve been able to (improve) on my previous seasons up here and my seasons down south.
“After the rep game (against Woodville-West Torrens), it held me in good stead, going up to that next level.
“I really did hit my straps in the back half of the season, I was a bit sad when the season ended, I was coming into my best form.”
Pitted against the likes of Saints’ Ryan Smith and Gallow, Archard prided himself on analysing the competition to come out on top.
“There’s a whole different kind of ruckman up here,” he said.
“You get a bloke like Patty (Gallow) who’s a taller bloke where you have to use different strategies and get more possessions around the ground to beat him
“Ryan Smith is one I probably had my toughest battle with.
“(An) experienced ruckman who know how to use his body and knows where to go around the ground.
“So I just worked on my game and analysed the competition week by week, to see what they do and how I can best combat that.”
Archard was born in Darwin but spent most of his younger life growing up in country Victoria, eventually getting some VFL experience.
But over the past couple of seasons, Archard has reignited his love for Territory footy, playing around a solid Buffaloes midfield, including skipper Jarrod Stokes, Paddy Boles and Charlie Sharples.
Despite not qualifying for finals, Archard was sure the Buffs would be back at the top as soon as possible.
He also confirmed he would be back next season.
“I love the Buffs, they’re a real family club and a proper Darwin club,” Archard said.
“I would never play for anyone else in the NTFL but them and I’m sure they will see the fruits of their labour very soon.”
NTFL’s night of nights to go online
The NTFL’s highest individual honours will be presented online for the first time in the league’s 105-year history.
The annual Nichols and Gwynne medal ceremony, which heralds the best players in the Men’s and Women’s Premier League, will be held online for free on March 13 due to the “ongoing threat of Covid-19” to the competition and to “protect the health safety of the footy community”.
AFLNT boss Sam Gibson said the decision was “not easy” but the league had to minimise health risks.
“These prestigious youth and senior grade events are highlights of the NTFL season and it’s unfortunate we are not in a position to celebrate various achievements across the league in traditional style, however the safety of the footy community remains our highest priority,” Gibson said.
“While Covid has impacted the NTFL season, the health and safety of the community has been the forefront of the decisions made by AFLNT to continue the competition.
“Our move to online events is an important step in continuing to safeguard those who had fantastic seasons and have worked hard to make it to the grand finals.
“We recognise this season has been challenging for so many within the footy community and we want to ensure a smooth run in the lead up to both grand final weekends for clubs, players and their volunteers to enjoy.”
Last year’s Nichols Medal was won by Nightcliff’s Dom Brew with 27 votes, while PINT’s Jasmyn Hewett took home the Gwynne Medal.
Junior presentations will be held on the AFLNT’s YouTube channel on March 8.
Further details and relevant links will be announced at a later date.
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