Former AFL players Willie Rioli and Janet Baird will lead the Heat men's and women's teams respectively in Saturday night's highly anticipated Northern Territory Football League representative clash.
The Heat comprises of players with deep Northern Territory roots and long-standing ties to NT football, while their opposition - the Spears - will feature footballers who have made an impression since arriving in the NTFL from interstate.
Rioli's appointment as Heat captain headlines a strong local line-up featuring a host of Indigenous stars.
"I'm incredibly proud to captain the Heat," Rioli told AFLNT Media.
"We've got a special group, plenty of fire, and we're ready to represent the Territory the right way this weekend."
The former West Coast and Port Adelaide small forward had a decorated AFL career, which included being a member of Eagles' 2018 premiership-winning team.
Now 30, the Tiwi product retired from the AFL at the conclusion of last season after 109 senior games and 151 goals.
He returned to the NTFL this year with the Tiwi Bombers, where he has featured in 10 matches, kicking 14 goals and providing valuable on-field leadership for a developing Bombers outfit.
In addition to leading the men's side, Rioli will also take charge as coach of the Heat in the Futures match earlier in the day.
The Futures fixtures will shine a spotlight on the Territory's next generation of footballers, offering emerging talent exposure to a high-performance environment and a clear pathway through the representative system.
The Heat men's team will also feature a number of familiar faces, including Indigenous former AFL players Jayden Davey and Lloyd Johnston.
Davey has been in strong form for Palmerston playing in a rebounding defender role, while Johnston has proven a valuable addition at the reigning premiers Southern Districts as they push towards another premiership tilt.
The representative action will extend to the women's game, with former AFLW player Janet Baird named captain of the Heat team.
Baird spent several seasons at the elite level, registering three AFLW appearances with the Gold Coast Suns and one game with Hawthorn.
"To get another opportunity to wear a guernsey that represents home is pretty special," Baird told AFLNT Media.
"To be named captain makes it even more meaningful for my family and me, and it's a role I'm really proud to take on."
The women's game is set to commence at TIO Stadium at 4PM, which will be followed by the men's showdown at 6:30PM.
