Ngukurr Bulldogs have broken a 16-year premiership drought after claiming victory in the Big Rivers Football League grand final on the weekend.
The Bulldogs were able to overcome a quarter time deficit to record the 14.10 (94) to 9.4 (58) win in Katherine yesterday.
The Bulldogs had an interrupted preparation to the match as the bus transporting the players to the ground broke down on the way to Katherine.
The first quarter was a competitive contest with Katherine South making better use of their opportunities in attack.
The Bulldogs were able to wrestle the momentum back during the second quarter and held onto a narrow lead at the half-time break.
Ngukurr shot out to an 11-point advantage by the three quarter time break after what was an entertaining third term.
(Image: Big Rivers Football League)
The Bulldogs produced brilliant team footy in the final term, which resulted in a five-goal to one quarter that ultimately sealed the win.
Former NT Thunder player Cedric Robertson was the star, finishing with a team-high three goals and the Morris Medal for being judged best afield.
Kurtley Silver, Dean Daniels, Junior Jaragba and Tom Thompson kicked two goals each.
Teenager Parker Fawcett was excellent for the Crocs kicking five out of his team's eight goals, while the highly-credentialed Ronnie Fejo kicked two goals and showed his class on numerous occasions.
It was pandemonium at the final siren as the Ngukurr coaches and supporters rushed onto the ground to celebrate the victory with the players.
The triumph was a great reward for the southern Arnhem Land community, as the team fell agonisingly short the previous two seasons.
In 2021, the Bulldogs finished second on the ladder before being eliminated in the preliminary final and last year the team finished on top before losing the grand final to Katherine Camels.
Ngukurr returned to the Big Rivers Football League in 2020 after spending four seasons away from the competition.
The Bulldogs face a minimum seven-hour round trip each weekend just to play.
Ngukurr's drought-breaking premiership victory comes just a couple of weeks after Nhulunbuy Saints broke an 18-year flag drought in the AFL Gove competition.
In the BRFL women's grand final, Arnhem Crows 7.2 (44) defeated Ngukurr 4.4 (28)
The Crows booted six goals to two in the final three quarters to win by 16 points.
Jenna 'Aggie' Lippo was judged best-on-ground after he standout performance, while Mickayla Ward and Denisha Koimala kicked two goals each.
