The Northern Territory Football League matches played in Darwin this weekend mark the one third point of the 2014/15 season. This presents a good opportunity to see how the teams are tracking so far this season. Already there are some patterns emerging, some upsets brewing and some all teams lining up for a piece of the action over the remaining twelve rounds.

After the completion of Round 6, the Premier League has a surprise leader. The Nightcliff Tigers sit undefeated at the top of the ladder, with St Mary’s sitting behind them with just one loss…to Nightcliff in Round 5. Not only was the Tigers’ win last week a significant message to the competition, it also ended an amazing winning streak from St Mary’s. That run began in 2012 and continued to Round 4 this season and netted the club two premierships along the way. But the resurgent Tigers managed to end the run and in the process install themselves as an early flag candidate.


The season is only early, but these two sides have already stamped themselves as the teams to beat for a grand-final berth.

The following media release from AFLNT details the result of the grand final of the Michael Long Cup, an event which was reported by World Footy News last week.  Also included is an additional press release regarding the launch of a future Leaders program in the Northern Territory at Karama Primary School.

 

Just three points decided Saturday’s under 14 Long Cup grand final between reigning champions Nightcliff and the Central Australia Power.

The Power were fierce all weekend, hungry for a win over a strong Nightcliff outfit, who field two under 14 teams in the TIO NTFL competition and were favourites heading into the two-day competition.

 

Central Australia Power left it all on the field and were ultimately rewarded with a narrow win, with goals coming from Kristoff Nelson (six), Kane Linch-Williams and Lehman Corby (five each). 

The following is a press release from AFLNT about this weekend’s Michael Long Cup, being played in Darwin. This competition is a major part of the development process for Northern Territory junior footballers, and gives an opportunity for young players to bring their talents to a greater stage.

 

Being part of the Long Cup is a goal for many of our remote and city based juniors, and as part of Round 4 of the TIO NTFL this weekend more than 300 talented 13 year olds will participate in the annual event.

The Long Cup is the most significant junior talent event on AFLNT’s calendar, providing Under 14 players from all over the Northern Territory the opportunity to compete against the most outstanding players from the age-group.

The Northern Territory and Northern Queensland have featured prominently in the AFL Premiership 2015 fixture released today. Whilst Alice Springs has lost an NAB Challenge match, it has retained a premiership fixture. Meanwhile, Darwin and Cairns will again host their now traditional AFL fixtures in July.

Last year the people of Alice Springs were treated to two AFL matches. The Melbourne Demons hosted Geelong in the NAB Challenge before a premiership match between Melbourne and Port Adelaide later in the season. For 2015, the Demons will again play host to Port Adelaide, this time for premiership points on the 30th May at TIO Traeger Park.

This provides another tremendous opportunity for the people of Alice Springs, and all across central Australia, to watch an AFL Premiership match. Over 5000spectators attended last year’s premiership match and the AFLNT would be hoping to increase that number in 2015.

The North Queensland city of Townsville will host its third NAB Challenge AFL fixture in 2015. With the release today of the AFL’s 2015 NAB Challenge fixture, the people of Townsville and across North Queensland will look forward to the match at Tony Ireland Stadium on Sunday 1st March.

In 2015 it will be the Geelong Cats making the trek north to meet the Gold Coast Suns. The inaugural match in 2013 saw the North Melbourne Kangaroos make the journey, whilst in 2014 it was the Brisbane Lions that visited with a one off Queensland derby.

For the Gold Coast Suns it strengthens their connections to North Queensland. As well as having played AFL Premiership matches in Cairns since 2011 (and a VFL match in 2010), the NAB Challenge matches in Townsville have been a welcome addition to the roster of high performance football played in the region.

 

 

 

Earlier in 2014 the Essendon club undertook their latest multicultural program, Embracing India. Within Australia the program was designed largely to develop and grow a working relationship with Melbourne’s growing and vibrant Indian communities, particularly in the north-west region which is Essendon’s heartland.

 

 

Amongst a host of other community projects, which can be seen by going to the Essendon website - http://www.essendonfc.com.au/community/multicultural-programs/embracing-india - the club has sent a group of players and staff to India. The following story from the Essendon website tells of the focus of the trip and an outline of projects to be undertaken.

 

 

The following article is from the Essendon Football Club’s website detailing the club’s decision to recruit young Irishman, Conor McKenna as an International Rookie.

 

Essendon Football Club is delighted to announce Conor McKenna will join the Bombers as a rookie listed player under the club's Alternative Talent Program.

The exciting Irish prospect has accepted a two-year contract with Essendon and will be the second player to be placed on the club’s Rookie B List, following Johnny Rayner’s appointment last year.

McKenna qualifies as a Rookie B as he has not been registered in an Australian football competition for the past three years.

 

 

Malcolm Ashwood's article about the 2014 SANFL Grand Final appeared last week on The Footy Almanac website.  Norwood's three in a row performance continues the Dynasties theme from Wes Hull's earlier WFN article.

SANFL Grand Final – Norwood v Port Adelaide: The Greatest Win of All