AFL Northern Territory (AFLNT) is thrilled to announce the Tiwi Islands Football League (TIFL) and Gove Australian Football League (GAFL) representative teams will take part in a curtain raiser prior to the Gold Coast SUNS and North Melbourne AFL match this Saturday in Darwin.
Football fans will be treated to some of the best remote footy in the country with the TIFL and GAFL squads set to highlight their region’s most impressive talent.
Off the back of the recent 2021/22 TIFL season which concluded at the start of May, AFLNT Remote Development Manager for Tiwi Islands Danyon Smillie said the squad has been training hard and is excited to get back out on the field.
“Even though the TIFL season has finished for 2021/22, the squad is in great condition and has been training hard weekly,” he said.
“There has been great competition shown during trainings in anticipation for this final team announcement. With 2021/22 Premiership Coach Austin Wonaeamerri and Simon Munkara in charge, I’m excited to see what the team will produce on Saturday!”
The 2021/22 TIFL Ted Whitten Best and Fairest Medal recipient Dwayne Kerinauia of Tapalinga Superstars is anticipated to use his excellent ability to read the play and move the ball from the mids to the forward line and maybe put a couple of goals on the scoreboard.
TIFL Grand Final Best on Ground player Stanley Tipiloura and his nephew John are expected to dominate the Tiwi forward line with the backing of experienced player NTFL Tiwi Bombers captain Paddy Heenan as while playing for the Muluwurri Magpies in this year’s Grand Final against Imalu Tigers.
In the backline, 2021/22 Edmund Johnson Best Defender Award winner Shane Austral, also from the Muluwurri Magpies is set to continue as a reliable key backman after a season of incredible rebound 50’s and his ability to get the ball out of the backline quickly.
The final GAFL team has been selected based off their 2022 season to date after commencing earlier this month.
AFLNT Remote Development Manager for Gove Meg Pullinger said the final team list has been selected from an initial squad of 43 players and is set to impress.
“The coaching group formed of Damien Djerrkura, Steve Raymond and former Brisbane Lions player Jason Roe ran trainings with the initial squad of players nominated by their GAFL Senior Men’s team,” she explained.
“It has been great to see all involved come together and unite as one team for this awesome footy experience.
“This opportunity has been a great way for all to get a taste of a higher level of football, not only the players but the coaches and support staff too! We are looking forward to the challenge of coming up against Tiwi Islands this weekend.”
Featuring in the GAFL line up is Isaac Burarrwanga, one of the premier midfielders in the league over the past few years who also won the Gary Dhurrkay Medal for being the Best and Fairest player during the 2020 season.
Cazalys NT Thunder Academy’s David Bromot will also take to the field and show off his silky skills and beautiful left foot kick.
Set to star in the GAFL forward line with his excellent ability to read the play will be Ricardo Mununggurr, the league’s leader goalkicker over the past four years.
AFLNT Participation, Programs & Remote Projects Manager Cassidy Fitzclarence said the opportunity to display some of the best grassroots remote footy on the AFL stage is a project the team has been working hard on.
“We know the Tiwi Islands and Gove Peninsula produce some stellar footy players and to be able to bring the best players from these communities to Darwin to play before an AFL match will be huge,” he said.
“As a reward for the strong and consistent league’s Tiwi and Gove have provided for a number of years now, albeit TIFL’s interrupted 2021/22 season due to COVID, this rep game will be a showcase of the highest performing remote footy competitions.”
“This is an opportunity to show off the incredible talent we have in leagues across the NT as well as reignite the love of rep footy in the Territory!”
TIFL v GAFL Representative Game Details:
First bounce is at 1pm, Saturday 4 June 2022 at TIO Stadium, Darwin.
A valid AFL entry ticket is required to attend both the curtain raiser and AFL match. There are tickets available for purchase via Ticketmaster here.
Note: DO NOT purchase tickets from any other websites/unknown people as they are not authorised to sell them.
Can’t make it to the game? Tune in LIVE via the AFLNTv YouTube channel here or watch the game back on NITV free to air on Sunday 12 June at 4pm local / 4.30pm AEST.
The broadcast will be produced by local company KIK Digital.
TIFL Representative Game Team List:
Adam Tipungwuti – Pumarali Thunder & Lightning
Brenton Dixon – Tuyu Buffaloes
Billy Huddleston – Muluwurri Magpies
Dale Cunningham – Imalu Tigers
Dwayne Kerinauia – Tapalinga Superstars
Gary Puruntatameri – Ranku Eagles
Gene Puruntatameri – Tapalinga Superstars
John Kantilla – Tuyu Buffaloes
John Tipiloura – Muluwurri Magpies
John Pupungamirri – Tuyu Buffaloes
Karlson Kantilla – Ranku Eagles
Kurt Dunn – Imalu Tigers
Lindsay Moreen – Muluwurri Magpies
Michael Dunn – Imalu Tigers
Michael Thompson – Pumarali Thunder & Lightning
Owen Henry – Muluwurri Magpies
Paddy Hennan – Muluwurri Magpies
Roy Kantilla – Ranku Eagles
Shane Austral – Muluwurri Magpies
Stanley Tipiloura – Muluwurri Magpies
Thaddeus Puautjimi – Walama Bulldogs
Timothy Babui – Ranku Eagles
Valentine Diego Puautjimi – Ranku Eagles
William Munkara – Jikilarruwu Dockers
GAFL Representative Game Team List:
Barrindi Levin Ngurruwuttun – NGUYKAL
Benson Dhawundutjpi Wunungmuma – SAINTS
Bryce David Penwill – SAINTS
Chris Lamboa – GOPU
Dale Dhamarrandji – NGUYKAL
Daniel Milak Bromot – NGUYKAL
David Bromot – GOPU
Djayminy Marika – DJARRAK
Frank – Burarrwanga Jerry Gapirri – DJARRAK
Hugo Drogemuller – DJARRAK
Isaac Burarrwanga – GOPU
Jacob Djama Wunungmurra – NGUYKAL
Jaymie Baxter – NGUYKAL
Jonathan Wayambo – GOPU
Khy Sawyer – SAINTS
Lachlan Mitchell Dillon – SAINTS
Lee Mununggurr – GOPU
Michael Mununggurritj – DJARRAK
Ricardo Mununggurr – NGUYKAL
Russell Munyarryun – NGUYKAL
Shaun Dhangatji Mununggurr – NGUYKAL
Tyrell Djamut Brian – NGUYKAL
Wayne Vearncombe – SAINTS
Winston Yunupingu – GOPU