As we are in the middle of the NTFL 2014-15 Christmas break, I thought it would be a good time to reflect on some of the stars of the competition this year.
I have come up with a list of the Top Ten best footballers from this season.
1. Cameron Ilett, 29, St Marys
It is absolutely baffling how this bloke has not had a chance with an AFL club. Thought as by many as one of the better players outside of the AFL, Ilett is enjoying arguably a career-best season at St Marys.
The NT Thunder captain is almost the complete footballer, with the perfect blend of skill and hardness at the ball. He has achieved almost every accolade in the Northern Territory and perhaps this year he could add a Nichols Medal to the list.
A clear choice for the best player in the NTFL.
2. Alwyn Davey, 30, Palmerston
Respected by all in the Top End, Alwyn Davey has been terrific for his beloved Palmerston Magpies since returning from a 100-game AFL career with Essendon.
The man known as ‘Froggy’ has the rare ability to be equally as damaging whether up forward or through the midfield.
After playing for so long at the top level, players of his ilk could be excused for taking it easy in the NTFL. But his competitiveness and on-field leadership for the young Magpies brigade is a testament to his strong character.
3. Jarrod Stokes, 20, Darwin
Perhaps the quickest player in the NTFL, very few can break the lines as well as this Buffaloes speedster.
Stokes was always a talented junior, but after a stint with SANFL club North Adelaide, the 20-year-old has taken his football up a couple of notches.
His run-and-carry ability is second to none and there is no doubt he is one of the main reasons for the Buffaloes’ improvement.
4. Gibson Turner, 21, Nightcliff
The goal-kicking ace has bucket loads of talent and could easily find himself back on an AFL list if things fall his way.
The former Richmond rookie has played for a couple of NTFL clubs but looks right at home in a Tigers jumper. Although best suited to the forward line, Turner has the ability to run through the midfield or half back if needed.
A great acquisition for Nightcliff and he forms a special partnership with Desmond Nandy and Baydon Ngalkin.
5. Darren Ewing, 27, St Marys
The prolific goal kicker is not built like a traditional full-forward. But what he lacks in size, he more than makes up for with his uncanny football smarts and timing.
Perhaps the best forward in the NEAFL over the past half a dozen years, Ewing regularly kicks bags of goals and is also not afraid to pass to a teammate in a better position.
But his most impressive trait might just be the work he puts in defensively when he does not have the ball in his hands.
6. Will Farrer, 24, Southern Districts
One of the more unorthodox footballers in the competition, the high-flying Will Farrer is playing probably his best season with the Crocs.
He leads the competition for goals at the half way mark of the season and is also comfortable playing as a key defender. Farrer has a vertical leap that needs to be seen to be believed and he uses it to great effect when on the lead.
7. Matt Campbell, 27, Buffaloes
Campbell is another that needs no introduction to footy followers in the Northern Territory. The former North Melbourne player has been excellent for the Buffaloes this season.
He has the attributes that can break a game apart and at his best he is a genuine match-winner. But Campbell’s experience at higher levels of footy allows him to also play a mentoring role for the young Buffaloes.
8. Leroy Jetta, 26, Palmerston
The former Essendon player has been arguably the recruit of the season so far in the NTFL. Jetta left his presence felt early with a couple of spectacular moments in a best on ground performance in his debut game for the Magpies.
His thumping kick makes him dangerous at all areas of the ground and he possesses a terrific overhead mark.
9. Ross Tungatalum, 24, Tiwi Bombers
It is hard to believe that the human highlight reel is still only 24 years of age. ‘Rocco’ has been dominating the NTFL for years now and on his day he is the most exciting player in the competition.
The former St Kilda rookie has blistering speed and silky-smooth skills and is always a damaging player for the Bombers.
10. Thomas Motlop, 27, Wanderers
Motlop started the season in exciting fashion and comfortably lead the competition’s leading goals up until recently. But during Wanderers’ mid-season form slump coach Andrew Hodges moved him to the backline to provide experience for the young Eagles defence.
He has provided leadership and consistency in that role and his versatility puts him on the list.
Get Jackson Clarke on Twitter @jclark182
bilo
Guest
You can watch it on youtube every week.
Neil
Guest
I am astonished. I would suggest that the reason it's not a national scandal is because all three commercial TV stations are using their Brisbane news, and so it wouldn't be reported on by their other TV owned stations around the country. Talk about a conflict of interest, this issue is the biggest granddaddy of them all.
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
Thanks for the info. Not being a Territorian or an AFL fan I hadn't thought about it. I'm not surprised to hear that Aboriginal players love the game and excel at it. I have watched many Aboriginal players in Rugby League. I don't know if they play so much that they have more experience than other players, but many of them have a great ability to read the game and pop up in the right place at the right time.
Josh
Expert
I'd kill to see the NTFL on TV during the off-season.
Alicesprings
Guest
Ha yeah...they still show the nrl footy show because all our tv comes from Brisbane! As a result a lot more people have Foxtel and also means we get down to the local pub a little more!
Alicesprings
Guest
Footy in the top end is played in the summer/wet season. Around central Australia we play in the 'winter'. Highest participation for Aussie rules in the country. We have around 30+ senior teams in 3 divisions in Alice Springs. So yes we play footy in the NT. And yes most most people up here think the rest of the country is soft.
Alicesprings
Guest
You're welcome to come up here and see for yourself! But yes we get Brisbane news on channel 7, 9 and 10. We get ABC news from Darwin. The NT has more than enough news to fill a bulletin but I guess traffic jams in Brisbane and the Gold Coast are more important!! Absolute joke.
Neil
Guest
Well said BigAl, and so very much Australian! When you consider that all the other games are imports it's something no one would argue with.
Neil
Guest
Alice Springs receives their TV news from Brisbane is stretching it surely, that cannot be the case. I would believe perhaps Adelaide being of similar longitude and/or timezone.
Martin
Guest
I would be interested in watching the NTFL on the TV, especially since that it's the only competitive league during the summer months.
BigAl
Guest
Well Prof (absent minded ?) they've been doing it for nigh on 100 years. The vast majority of the players are aboriginal, and they love the game with whole communities getting involved. They display some amazing skills and have produced many legendary players - cultural difficulties severely hindering progress to higher leagues. When you think about it and look into it football doesn't get anymore Australian than aussie rules in the Top End !
Martha
Guest
Does Channel 9's station still show the NRL Footy show rather than the AFL Footy show on Thursday night even though AFL is far bigger than RL in the territory. If it still does hopefully fans will boycott all Nines news and current affairs...
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
You can't be serious that people actually play Aussie Rules in the Northern Territory? And in Summer??? Not being an AFL fan, I had never even considered this as a possibility. Surely this is some kind of breach of safe working legislation!!?? I would have thought darts was far too taxing an activity in the heat and humidity of a Northern Territory Summer. Thank you for enlightening me.
Nudge
Guest
Stokes is certainly not Matthews brother
Alicesprings
Guest
Money shouldn't be an issue..there's plenty floating around up there in darwin. Would be awesome to get it on channel7. The only issue I'm now releasing is as we get all our tv stations from Qld so not sure how it would affect the rest of their broadcasting? I have a laugh every time I sit down after work and watch the 6pm news, wait for it..from Brisbane..in Alice Springs!!! Awesome if you go for the lions or suns but. To underline how important the coverage of the NTFL is/was to many up here. Apart from the local abc news it's the only other locally produced tv program made in the territory. Esp disappointing for the many remote communities that get their chance once a week to watch their local heroes. Way to go abc..what a joke. National public broadcaster?? Whatever.
conchie
Roar Rookie
Not enough Malcolm Blights in the AFL. Meanwhile boring defensive coaches get sacked at the same rate as offensive exciting coaches,
conchie
Roar Rookie
Would agree with your last sentence, in the scheme of things the money saved is a pittance.
Paul D
Roar Guru
You would hope that someone picks up televising this competition, it's clearly a popular watch amongst territorians. Further proof that the ABC in abdicating its responsibility to cover this fixture, is less and less the national broadcaster, and instead the broadcaster for inner city Australia.
TW
Guest
Alicesprings, The WA Footy Commission had to stump up (sponsorship) a million dollars around town to get CH7 involved, which they recently have done. Ch7 is hoping to build on the ABC viewing figures which they should do because the FTA fans are used to going to CH7 network to get their footy fix. Change of topic but related to TV -- Apparently if the articles can be believed AFL House is delaying the next AFL TV contract to see what happens with Channel Ten who they want in the mix. Also the ACCC maybe lookng at rumours of a Foxtel bid for CH10 who are rumoured to be including History Channel stuff on CH10 if they are successful. All speculation at this stage.
Alicesprings
Guest
We get it on abc up here and is a real highlight of the weekend for many up here. Unfortunately it's getting cut next season if they can't work out something in the interim. No idea if it's possible to get it on 7mate just like the vfl, sanfl and walf??