The 2026 Big Rivers Football League season is set to begin at the weekend, with this year's fixture featuring plenty of Friday night football and a strong focus on major community events.
AFL Northern Territory confirmed during the week that Big Rivers Football League (BRFL) games will be played as part of the Barunga Festival weekend in June, continuing one of the competition's biggest community events.
Arnhem Crows will host a double-header at Barunga on that weekend, with the women's side taking on Katherine South before the men's team faces Lajamanu in the evening.
NAIDOC Round will also feature prominently, with matches to be played across Tindal Oval and Barunga as part of celebrations recognising culture and community across the region.
BRFL Lead, Brandon Saxelby, said there was strong excitement building ahead of the season opener.
"You can feel the excitement growing across the entire Big Rivers community as we get closer to the season," Mr Saxelby said.
"The clubs have worked tirelessly in the wake of the flooding that impacted the Big Rivers community, and that resilience continues to drive the strength of the competition.
"It sets the stage for another season of high-quality football backed by strong local support."
The new season kicks off on Saturday at the Katherine Showgrounds, beginning with a senior women's clash between Katherine Camels and Eastside.
The opening round will also feature the reigning senior men's premiers, Katherine Camels, beginning their premiership defence against community club Lajamanu.
Katherine River Saints will then face Lajamanu in the women's competition before taking on Arnhem Crows in the senior men's fixture later in the afternoon.
The competition will again feature Friday night football throughout much of the season, with AFLNT scheduling night matches across 13 of the 16 rounds.
The finals series is scheduled to begin in early September before the season concludes with the grand finals at Katherine Showgrounds later that month.
The Katherine Camels enter the season as the team to beat in the senior men's competition after defeating Ngukurr Bulldogs by 19 points in last year's grand final.
The Camels will begin the season under new coach Dan Vercoe, who steps into the role after several years with the club.
Vercoe said he was eager to continue building on the club's recent success.
"This season is shaping up to be a big one for the senior men," he said.
"I'm excited to get to work with the group and continue to grow and develop as a team.
"We've had great success over the past two seasons, and I'm keen to build on that momentum in 2026."
Vercoe brings significant experience into the role, having played more than 150 senior games while also achieving success as both a player and assistant coach across his football career.
The talented utility is a three-time premiership player, two-time BRFL best-and-fairest winner and former BRFL leading goal kicker.
