The country Victorian town of Great Western may be a long way from the Tiwi Islands, but over the past decade the two communities have formed a bond that goes far beyond football.

Great Western Football Club, which competes in the Mininera and District Football League, has developed a strong connection with Tiwi players and their families – one that has enriched the club both on and off the field.

In 2019, three Tiwi footballers – Steven Lorenzo, Bradley Palipuaminni and Gerard Cunningham – were key members of the Lions' premiership team, a drought-breaking triumph that ended a 36-year wait.

Since then, the relationship has only strengthened, with Tiwi players remaining a key part of the team's current line-up.

Great Western coach Nigel Sibson said the Tiwi players have left a lasting impact.

"They have been amazing and brought so much excitement to our club," Sibson said.

"They've provided some incredible moments and highlight plays."

Among the standouts this year have been Kurt Dunn, who is in the mix for the club's best and fairest award, and Billy Munkara, who has been one of the side's most consistent performers.

Damien Dunn has added spark in the forward line with his talent and trademark goal celebrations, while Nate Cooper booted a bag of seven goals in Round 2 before suffering some injury issues.

But it's the off-field contribution that Sibson says has been just as valuable.

"They have really embraced the group, and the group has embraced them, which has built some really strong relationships on a personal level," he said.

"They have brought diversity to our community and have been really open and expressive about their culture and the significance of representing the Islands and their families so far from home.

"Even though we have been doing this for a long time, we continue to learn more about Tiwi history, culture and their way of life.

"It is something unique that our club and community as a whole really embraces."

Sibson said members of the Great Western community regularly visit the Tiwi Islands and Darwin to catch up with past players and their loved ones.

"People from Great Western have been up to the Islands for weddings, met the kids of former players, and seen firsthand how different life is for these guys," he said.

"Great Western as a club and community have always embraced the uniqueness of an individual and this approach has allowed us to have a respectful relationship with the Tiwi Islands and to foster an inclusive, culturally diverse environment."

That sense of respect was on full display during Indigenous Round last weekend – a special occasion for the club, even if the scoreboard did not fall their way.

"Indigenous Round was amazing," Sibson said.

"We spoke about how every now and then, you play a game where the narrative is much bigger than just the win or loss.

"Our jumper had all the lads' totems on it, and playing in that jumper, representing their people and acknowledging their heritage meant the world to those guys.

"Pre-game, we went through the history of our journey – the Tiwi guys who have played with us in their respective years – and spoke of the relationships our club has with them and how highly we value the contributions that they have made."

Local Indigenous man Paul Kelly delivered a moving ceremony before the match, welcoming both the Tiwi players and the wider football community to his country.

"It was embracive and inclusive, and it was moving to be a part of it with those guys," Sibson said.

"Penshurst, the club we played against, also have a proud history with Indigenous guys and they were fantastic in the way they participated in the day.

"It was a great way to pay our respects to a remote community that has become really engrained in our club."