Junior footballer Marika Carlton has just completed one of the most remarkable seasons in Northern Territory football history, claiming four major individual awards.
The Palmerston Magpies star won both the Northern Territory Football League U16 Girls and U18 Girls competition best-and-fairest awards, while also collecting best-on-ground honours in both of her team's premiership wins this season.
Carlton also finished runner-up in the U16 Girls leading goal kicker award.
Her U18s coach Ray Byatt described the 15-year-old as an 'exciting' player to watch with her speed being her best attribute as a footballer.
"She has a big tank, loves to kick goals but equally loves having a run in the midfield," Byatt told the National Indigenous Times.
"Her ability to bring her teammates into the game and her unselfish attitude made her really popular.
"As an Essendon supporter, she reminds me of watching Michael Long."
Byatt said that he has already sent an e-mail to the Essendon Football Club recommending that they keep an eye on her.
Carlton was best-on-ground in her U16s team's 17-point grand final win over St Marys and backed up her performance six days later with another dominant display in her U18s team's nine-point triumph over Southern Districts.
Byatt believes that Carlton has the potential to go on to play at the elite level.
"Marika is an exceptionally talented young girl who does well in any sport. She can't get enough of playing football and I believe with the right development she will play AFLW."
Carlton – originally from Kununurra in Western Australia – played 24 games for the Magpies this season, 14 in the U16s and ten in the U18s.
Byatt said that he worked closely with the U16s coach Damien McInnes throughout the season to manage her workload.
With the U18s playing Friday nights and the U16s playing on Sundays, Carlton was able to double up and play full games in both grades each weekend.
"I'm just really happy she came to Palmerston and I'm extremely grateful that she was able to help us out with the U18s because our numbers were low at times throughout the season," Byatt said.
"What she has done to open people's eyes at our club in the last few weeks in regard to our junior girls being recognised has been fantastic."
