NTFL honours Larrakia and Tiwi legacies during Indigenous Round

Jackson Clark Published November 18, 2024 at 3.30pm (AWST)

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Wanderers and Darwin players listening to the Welcome to Country. (Image: Tymunna Clements/AFLNT)

The Northern Territory Football League have honoured and celebrated the profound and ongoing contributions that Indigenous people have made to the Top End competition with its annual Indigenous Round last weekend.

During the round, all nine NTFL teams donned guernseys showcasing artwork from talented Indigenous artists.

Goal umpires officiated with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, while Welcome to Country ceremonies were performed across all of the weekend's Premier League matches to acknowledge the land's traditional custodians.

The round commenced with Wanderers claiming the Nungalinya Cup for their victory over the Darwin Buffaloes at Gardens Oval on Friday night.

The Eagles fought off a fast-finishing Buffaloes to record their second win of the season 10.12 (72) to 9.12 (66).

The word 'Nungalinya' is the place where the Larrakia spirit comes from the earth and goes into mothers' bellies and life for the Larrakia commences; it is described as the beginning and the end, where the spirit returns after life.

Both Wanderers and Buffaloes have had a strong Larrakia connection for over 100 years.

Wanderers captain Mitchell Taylor accepts the Nungalinya Cup from Darwin Buffaloes president Brenda Atkinson. (Image: Tymunna Clements/AFLNT)

Buffaloes midfielder Tim Eldridge said that despite his team's loss, it was a significant occasion for him.

"As a Larrakia man, it's incredibly special to represent my people," Eldridge said.

"To play on my own land means a lot to me, my family, and the Buffaloes community."

On Saturday, Waratah took home the Maurice Rioli Cup after a decisive victory over the Tiwi Bombers at TIO Stadium.

The Warriors stormed home kicking 10 goals to five in the second half to eventually win 14.14 (98) to 10.12 (72).

Former Richmond midfielder and dual AFL premiership player Marlion Pickett registered 29 disposals, leading allcomers for the Bombers, while Liam Odea and Tom Toma were excellent for the Warriors.

"The win was particularly important for the club being the Maurice Rioli Cup, he was a big part of Waratah and the boys were happy to bring that home," Odea told the NT News.

Rioli was a former player and coach at the Warriors and was also integral to the formation of the Tiwi Bombers.

Tiwi coach Patrick Bowden said that it was a 'great honour' for his club to represent Rioli's legacy.

"Maurice Rioli was a trailblazer for Indigenous footballers, especially those from the Tiwi Islands," Bowden said.

In the round's other games, St Marys were far too strong for Palmerston recording a 90-point victory, while Nightcliff outlasted PINT to win a low-scoring thriller by nine points.