A host of Territory football champions have been honoured at the AFL Northern Territory Hall of Fame event held at TIO Stadium on Saturday.

More than a dozen Territory football identities were inducted into the Hall of Fame, while former St Kilda and Brisbane player Russell Jeffrey was upgraded to legend status.

Jeffrey spent his formative years as a footballer with Northern Territory Football League club St Mary's before moving down south and starting his VFL career with Geelong.

After spending most of his time at the Cats in the reserves, Jeffrey was eventually given an opportunity by St Kilda and went on to play 42 games across four seasons before adding another eight with the Brisbane Bears in 1992.

A tough and determined player, Jeffrey represented the Northern Territory an impressive 24 times and in 1990 became the first NT footballer to represent Victoria in a State of Origin match.

He was an important member of the historic 1988 NT Bicentennial team and featured for the Indigenous All-Stars team in 1994.

After finishing at AFL level, Jeffrey would later return to the Territory and begin an illustrious local coaching career which culminated in back-to-back premierships with Palmerston in 2001 and 2002.

He also led the Territory's Teal Cup team during the mid-1990s and took the reins of the NTFL representative team on three occasions.

An AFLNT statement described Jeffrey as "a player and coach who has given his heart and soul to Australian football, with the ochre, black and white colours of the Northern Territory at the top of the list."

Other names recognised on Saturday night include Willie Rioli Snr, who was recognised for his contribution to football Australia-wide, but particularly on the Tiwi Islands.

Shannon Motlop was inducted after an excellent career that includes an AFL premiership with North Melbourne in 1999, while South Fremantle champion Basil Campbell was also included.

Also joining the 13 new individual inductees is the pioneering 2003 Northern Territory Kites team, which helped to foster the growth of women's football in the Top End.

Hall of Fame Inductees: John Pepperill, Norm Hagan, Ronald (Barney) Quall, Ian Smith, Alan Smith, Ken Bonson, Don Bonson Jnr, Shannon Motlop, Basil Campbell, Brian Long, Brian Deslandes, Percy Ellis, Willie Rioli Snr, 2003 Northern Territory Kites team.

Legend: Russell Jeffrey.