Exciting Tiwi ruckman Karlson Kantilla and brilliant Palmerston small forward Marika Carlton have taken out the Northern Territory Football League's Rising Star awards for the 2023/24 season.
Kantilla – an undersized, athletic ruckman – made his debut against Southern Districts in Round 2 and played 16 games for the season, featuring in his team's best players on seven occasions.
He produced a number of eye-catching performances for the Bombers with his high leaping and long kicking a feature of his game.
The 19-year-old averaged 12 disposals and 14 hit-outs per game across the season and competed well against opponents often much bigger than him.
In January, he received an opportunity to play for Essendon's VFL team against the NTFL's representative side and performed admirably in the Bombers' 32-point loss.
A highlight of Kantilla's season included a massive torpedo goal that he kicked against PINT in Round 17 where he launched a long bomb that sailed through the goals from more than 60m away.
Bombers coach Patrick Bowden told the NT News during the season that he was impressed with his young player's willingness to compete against much bigger opponents.
"He can play multiple positions but at the moment he's holding down the ruck for us," Bowden said.
"But everything he's done in the Tiwi Islands Football League leading up to this season has been in the ruck, so it's natural for him.
"He's got great skills and great game knowledge and I think he's going well."
Marika Carlton took out the Women's Premier League Rising Star award to build on what is already an impressive trophy cabinet.
Carlton made headlines last season after a remarkable season of junior footy which saw her claim four major individual awards.
In the 2022/23 season, the Magpies star won both the NTFL's U16 Girls and U18s Girls competition best-and-fairest awards, while also being judged best-on-ground in both of her team's premiership wins.
This season she transitioned into senior football and looked right at home from the onset, kicking 12 goals in her first three outings and earning a Rising Star nomination after Round 1.
Carlton finished the season with 14 games, kicking 19 goals and being named among her team's best players nine times.
She also finished equal fifth on 11 votes in the NTFL's Women's Premier League best-and-fairest count held last Sunday.
Speaking to National Indigenous Times last year, he junior coach Ray Byatt said that Carlton was an exceptionally talented footballer.
"Marika is an exceptionally talented young girl who does well in any sport," Byatt said.
"She can't get enough of playing football and I believe with the right development she will play AFLW.
"Her ability to bring her teammates into the game and her unselfish attitude made her really popular."
