The presence of AFL and AFLW players in remote communities can have a significant impact, especially when they arrive to help deliver an important message.
Across the weekend, travelling teams from around Arnhem Land headed to Maningrida for the community's footy festival following visits hosted by the Sydney Swans, Australian Defence Force and locally-based Mala'la Health Service as part of the federal government's Tackling Indigenous Smoking program.
After success in its inaugural year in 2024, the Kick the Habit-Maningrida Footy Festival brought men's and women's sides from surrounding communities together for friendly matches, music, food and atmosphere.
Younger ones also got out for scratch matches.
It comes before the local competition, played over summer in Australia's north, kicks off.
With support from Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT), each side were decked out with full playing kits and featured at least one AFL or AFLW player - as well as 2012 premiership player Lewis Jetta running out to play.
Now in its second year, the initiative was significantly expanded, Mala'la Tackling Indigenous Smoking (TIS) co-ordinator David Freier said.
Ahead of the weekend the Swans, Mala'la and co. split into groups headed to Jabiru, Ramingining, Milingimbi, Gunbalanya and Maningrida to engage in cultural activities such as hunting, fishing and weaving, as well as host skills clinics and school visits before the more serious footy kicked off.
View this post on Instagram
"At each location, we spent time at the local schools delivering messaging about Indigenous smoking," Freier told National Indigenous Times.
"We really hit five communities with the same message, and everyone was really excited to see things, because we're so isolated up here."
Community clinics were also run in each location with health checks conducted at the carninval.
"Getting an AFL/AFLW player to your community is a special treat. So by utilising that sort of stardom and interest, we're really able to get across this very, very important health message," Freier said.
Smoking disproportionately kills First Nations Australians, "and it's something that we can stop", Freier added.
Risks and associated harms caused by secondhand smoking was a particular focus this year.
Kids were given information for later on in life, and empowered on how they can help themselves and family avoid secondhand smoke, as well as messaging delivered to adults.
Swans Sam Wicks and Brenna Tarrant headed to the Top End for the Festival.
"That's probably the biggest part where I can play a big role in, is that side of things," Tarrant said, of healthy living and choices as athletes.
Tarrant added, growing up in Western Sydney, it's an area where smoking has a prevelance.
"I think the big, the big message, especially to the kids this year, is around secondhand smoke and passive smoking - so just being really conscious about who's around you and how you're also looking after yourself," she said.
"When you, when you bring foot into anything in these communities. It really gets people excited and engaged...(to help) push that message."
It was Tarrant's first trip to the Territory, while Wicks was in the NT for a third time.
"The thing that really brings me back is some of the relationships that I've been able to build with the community now and all the kids," he said.
"There's a lot to learn from the community up here," Wicks added, "being from Sydney, in the city, it's a pretty different world up here".
He said it was important to consider how they as footballers can lend a hand in educating others away from smoking.
Sydney Swans Indigenous strategy and player development manager Jarred Hodges, said working with community organisations to support the Kick the Habit campaign is great for the club to be a part of.
"This week has been an excellent opportunity for our players and staff to develop their understanding of First Nations Peoples' deep connection to Country," Hodges added.
"We know our players can be powerful role models, so it's been great to work with the community to bring First Nations young people and families together to play footy and share some really important preventative smoke free messaging."
West Arnhem Regional Council Mayor, James Woods, said the Festival is one of the local area's most significant events on the calendar.
"It's more than just football; it's an opportunity for people to connect, support one another and promote important health messages, including tackling Indigenous smoking," he said.
"Having the Sydney Swans back in Maningrida is fantastic. It's so important for major teams to engage with our remote communities - their influence can change lives. The sense of spirit, wellbeing and connection across the community has been incredible.
"This festival highlights the strength of our local partnerships and the commitment of organisations working together to create lasting benefits for our young people and the whole community."
The Festival has funding for three years.
