Filo’s record breaking year shows how Victoria is influencing the NTFL
Victorian footy stars are dominating in the top end with one recording an historic first. Here we profile all the Vics in action in the NTFL grand final and show how you can watch them live this weekend.
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It might be Northern Territory’s premier football competition but Victoria’s best players are playing a major role in it with one country star creating history.
Nightcliff’s Brodie Filo, who plays for Wangaratta Rovers in the Ovens and Murray league, won his third NTFL best and fairest this week – becoming the first player to record such a hat-trick.
The captain was dominant in the middle, averaging 28.2 disposals and 5.2 clearances a game, gaining 21 votes for the season, one clear of the runner up.
WATCH THE NTFL GRAND FINALS LIVE HERE ON SATURDAY
Victorian players dominated the count, filling three of the top four placings.
Waratah Scott Carlin, who hails from the south west and plays for Terang Mortlake (Hampden), finished second with 20 votes with Southern Districts ex-AFL star Jed Anderson and St Mary’s Dylan Landt finishing third and fourth.
Anderson plays for Hoppers Crossing in the Western league in the Victorian winter while Landt played for Dimboola in the Wimmera league last year.
Landt had won the previous two best and fairest counts before Filo won this season.
Filo said it was an honour to win in a competition he has grown to love.
“It’s crazy, I came up here for one season 10 years ago and to have achieved what we have as a club is unreal,” he said.
“These individual accolades are good along the way but I’m just so proud of how this club has come and grateful for what I’ve achieved in hopefully moving our club in the right direction.
“Coaching and being captain is pretty cool, I’ve matured a lot over the past few years but I love the role and hopefully I can help drive the club to bigger and better things.”
The win was bittersweet for Filo as his team Nightcliff missed out on the grand final, losing the semi-final and preliminary final to be eliminated.
St Mary’s will take on Southern Districts in the decider on Saturday with St Mary’s looking to go back-to-back and the Crocs aiming for their first title since 2017/18.
Both the men’s and women’s deciders will be live streamed on KommunityTV.
Here are the Victorians set to shape the big clash between Districts and Saints.
Mitchell Bidmade, Southern Districts
Played a significant role in the midfield for Southern Districts this season. Bidmade last year played 11 games and kicked seven goals for Warrnambool in the Hampden league.
Jackson Calder, St Mary’s
One of the key players of the grand final. Calder won the goalkicking title this year with 56 goals and has kicked 64 this season including finals. If he kicks a bag for St Mary’s the team will be on track to win. Calder is one of three players to play for Dimboola in the Wimmera league. Last season he kicked 43 goals to be the fourth leading goalkicker in the competition.
Thomas Clarke, Southern Districts
A midfielder/forward who impressed in the Wimmera league last season. He kicked 33 goals in 19 games for the Southern Mallee Thunder and helped the team to make the grand final.
Tom Clurey, Southern Districts
The former Port Adelaide defender has made six appearances for Southern Districts this year after leaving the Power at the end of 2024. Clurey will make the move to Katamatite in the Picola District league this season, which is his junior club.
Luke Davies, St Mary’s
Won a premiership with St Mary’s last year and plays for the Shepparton Swans in the Goulburn Valley league. Davies is very good with his hands and is a reliable player.
Matthew Dennis, Southern Districts
One of the best ruckman in local footy. Dennis has made more than 100 appearances in the NTFL and has played six games for Southern Districts this season. This year, he’ll play for Pascoe Vale in the Essendon District league after playing for East Keilor last season.
Connor Giddings, Southern Districts
A high flying forward who has dominated in the Geelong league recently, kicking 40 goals last season for Leopold. But in the NTFL he’s played as a defender for Southern Districts. In 16 games, he’s been among the best in eight and is set to play a shutdown role to St Mary’s dangerous forwards.
Chad Harris, St Mary’s
The utility has played VFL and WAFL football the past few years, helping Subiaco to win the WAFL in 2022 and playing for Richmond in 2024. Last year he also played for his home club Sorrento in the Mornington Peninsula league and is back there this season full time. A key player with plenty of experience.
Matthew Johnston, Southern Districts
A ball magnet who last year won the Ballarat best and fairest award for East Point. Been playing NTFL football for the past few years with his brother Jordan. One to watch in the grand final with his attack on the ball in the middle.
Jordan Johnston, Southern Districts
Been playing in defence this year despite playing in the midfield and the forward line for East Point in the Ballarat league. But he’s excelled in the new position. Johnston last year kicked 32 goals in 20 games to help the Kangaroos to the grand final. He’ll be hoping Southern Districts go one step further.
Dylan Landt, St Mary’s
Been the best player in the NTFL the past three seasons. Landt has won the previous two best and fairests and this year finished fourth in the count. A midfielder who knows how to win the ball. Landt holds the record for most disposals in a game with 56 and will play a major part in who wins the grand final. The midfielder plays with Dimboola in the Wimmera league.
Jack Landt, St Mary’s
The brother of Dylan who is also on this list. Landt is a big-time player and a forward who knows how to kick goals. He kicked five in the preliminary final, last week, and five in the first week of the finals. Landt was a player/coach at Dimboola last year, kicking a goal a game.
Matthew Mazzini, Southern Districts
A defender for Southern Districts who has been previously part of the NTFL representative team. Mazzini last year helped Imperial to win the Sunraysia league premiership, going from bottom in 2023 to top in 2024. Will be chasing a second premiership in the space of six months.
Jake McQueen, Southern Districts
A talented football who last year returned home to coach Nhill to their first finals appearance in the Wimmera league in more than a decade. He’ll return to coach the team this year. McQueen knows how to move the ball and get his teammates into the game. A valuable asset to the team.
Kieran Parnell, St Mary’s
Moved to the Wangaratta Rovers last year from the Northern Territory and played a role in their grand final success in the Ovens and Murray league. Is a midfielder/defender who knows how to take an intercept mark or two. Has been in the best players in 11 of 19 games this season in the NTFL.
Jonathon Ross, Southern Districts
A leading forward in the Mornington Peninsula league who has kicked goals in the NTFL this year. Ross kicked 60 goals for Red Hill in their premiership win in 2019 and added 24 last season. A threat up forward, Ross has also been adding more minutes in the midfield to become capable of playing in multiple positions around the ground.
Originally published as Filo’s record breaking year shows how Victoria is influencing the NTFL
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