AFL Northern Territory (AFLNT) is thrilled to award the best and fairest players, as well as the leading goalkickers from the youth divisions of the 2023/24 TIO NTFL season.
After each game during the season, the field umpires voted 3-2-1 for who they deemed to be the best players of the game.
Throughout the home and away season the votes were tallied and any player who did not serve a match suspension is eligible to win the division’s respective best and fairest medal.
Each team entered their goalkickers after each game, and the leading goalkicker for the division is the player who kicked the most goals after the last round of the home and away season.
Named best on by coaches, in 6 out of 12 appearances, young saint Antony McWilliamstook home the coveted Abala Medal for the best and fairest player in the Under 18 Male division.
In a nail-biting vote count, McWilliams who finished on 11 votes, polled well in the final rounds of the season, and managed to secure the top spot only 1 vote clear of spot ahead of St Mary’s teammate Jed Fairchild who finished runner-up on 10 votes.
Patrick Roe from Darwin Buffaloes was awarded the Under 18 Male Leading Goal Kicking award, after booting 30 majors for the season - highlighted from games in Round 8 and again in Round 18 where he slotted 7 goals for his side.
In the Under 18 Female division, it was Sophia Makrylos from Nightcliff Tigers taking out the Under 18 Female best and fairest medal.
Sophia polled 13 votes to take out the Under 18 Girls medal. Named best on in 4 out 9 appearances, Sophia finished 7 votes ahead of, Lexie Cagney from St Mary’s/ Waratah.
Lily Childs from Nightcliff Tigers took out the Under 18 Female Leading Goal Kicker medal with her haul of 25 goals for the season.
2023/24 NTFL Junior Umpire of the Year, Micah McDonald was recognised for his strong dedication to umpiring. Umpiring 48 matches this season across junior and senior grades including Men’s Premier League Reserves and Women’s Premier League matches.
Coming down to the final game in Round 18, it was teammates Jack Hewett and Hau-TzeRock from the Nightcliff Tigers who were named as joint winners of the Under 16 Hickman Best and Fairest award, with their 14 votes. While Nightcliff’s Connor Gallacher won the Leading Goal Kicker for the grade, tallying 26 goals for the season.
St Mary’s Jessica Hardwick edged out Skye Clayton-Ingles from Southern Districts by just 3 votes in the final game of the home and away rounds to secure the Under 16 Female Sharyn Smith Best and Fairest Medal.
Hardwick polled consistently throughout the season and was awarded best on ground in 10 out of 13 appearances. St Mary’s Sharna Edwards booted 30 majors for the season and took home the Under 16 Female Leading Goal Kicker medal.
It was Dallas Robertson from St Mary’s who won the Under 14 Gundersen Best and Fairest medal with 15 votes and Lane Howie slotted 17 goals for Southern Districts, awarding him the division’s Leading Goal Kicker medal.
With 23 votes, Hugo Timms from PINT took out the Under 14 Lew Fatt Best and Fairest medal, and Luke La Tosa from Southern Districts tallied 20 goals to take home the leading goal scorer award.
Peggy Rock from Nightcliff Tigers in a phenomenal feat took home the Under 14 Girls Best and Fairest medal for the third year in a row, finishing on a whopping 36 votes. Polling 3 votes in every appearance during the home and away season.
The Under 14 Girls Leading Goal Kicker medal went to Kayla Ilett from St Mary’s, with 54 goals for the season.
Darwin Buffaloes Football Club was awarded the inaugural INPEX Junior Club of the Year Award. The INPEX Junior Club of the Year award is presented to the club who is adjudged to have best met the nomination and performance criteria during the home and away season. The criteria celebrates strong off-field performance; positive club behaviour and E-Points awarded across all junior grade teams.
AFLNT congratulates all winners on their outstanding performance in the 2023/24 TIO NTFL season.
The Nichols Medal for the senior divisions will take place next Sunday 10 March.
2023/24 TIO NTFL Youth Presentation complete list of winners:
Under 18 Male
- Antony McWilliams – 11 votes (Abala Medal) – St Mary’s Football Club
- Patrick Roe – 30 goals – Darwin Buffaloes Football Club
Under 18 Female
- Sophia Makrylos – 13 votes – Nightcliff Tigers Football Club
- Lily Childs – 25 goals – Nightcliff Tigers Football Club
Junior Umpire of the Year
- Micah McDonald
Under 16 Hickman
- Jack Hewett – 14 votes – Nightcliff Tigers Football Club
- Hau-Tze Rock - 14 votes – Nightcliff Tigers Football Club
- Connor Gallacher – 25 goals – Nightcliff Tigers Football Club
Under 16 Girls
- Jessica Hardwick – 18 votes – St Mary’s Football Club
- Sharna Edwards – 25 goals – St Mary’s Football Club
Under 14 Gundersen
- Dallas Robertston – 15 votes – St Mary’s Football Club
- Lane Howie – 17 goals – Southern Districts Football Club
Under 14 Lew Fatt
- Hugo Timms – 23 votes – PINT Football Club
- Luka La Tosa – 20 goals – Southern Districts Football Club
Under 14 Girls
- Peggy Rock – 36 votes– Nightcliff Tigers Football Club
- Kayla Ilett – 54 Goals – St Mary’s Football Club