Spectator numbers are up at all venues, a record number of unique visitors to the AFLNT website has been recorded in addition to a 36% increase in newspaper and radio coverage and an 88% increase viewers watching games streamed live on AFLNTv!
Saturdays attendance at TIO stadium was higher the debut of the Tiwi Bombers in 2005, and the ABC Television broadcast (3pm CST) of next Saturdays Nightcliff v The Central Redtails is expected to attract a huge audience throughout the Territory.
According to AFLNT CEO Tony Frawley, even AFLNT is surprised by the massive increase in interest despite having planned well in advance for a record breaking season.
"We are absolutely delighted with how the season is unfolding and even though we knew we would have a stellar season, I must admit we have been slightly taken aback by the phenomenal level of interest in this year’s competition. Credit must go to all NTFL clubs for their efforts to ensure that the Territory’s premier sporting competition goes from strength to strength."
The four game trial of the Central Redtails has been a resounding success with the club proving to be extremely competitive and their televised game next Saturday against last year’s Grand Finalists Nightcliff looks set to be a blockbuster.
"The Redtails is a new and exciting brand which is attracting crowds not only for support but for the unique Central Australian brand of football they play,
"The club is providing an incredible opportunity for young Indigenous players from Central Australian communities and must be congratulated for doing so.
"Although super competitive on the field the Redtails greatest challenge is off field, and AFLNT will work closely with the club to ascertain if they can remain viable in the long term. To enter the league full time they must secure a significant amount of funding whilst also negotiating with the Alice Springs Town Council for the use of Traeger Park from November until March.
"The club must also demonstrate to AFLNT how their inclusion into the league will not impact on the CAFL or NT Thunder and provide us with a draft player movement rule for players that wish to play in the CAFL and the NTFL for the Redtails.
"There is a lot of work to be done but based on what we have seen thus far the Redtails could well be a NTFL team next season."
Other emerging brands and clubs in Division One and Two have also contributed to the early success of the NTFL to date, including premier league trial club Banks.
"The Banks Football Club have given a very good account of themselves thus far and we are now working with the club to map their future NTFL Premier League aspirations."
"We are also very pleased with the ongoing efforts of the Darwin Buffaloes in strengthening their club structures and working hard to implement the first phase of their relocation to Palmerston.
"The Buffs have been competitive in two of their three games and off the field the club is in excellent shape with a number of new sponsors on board, a visionary president and a dynamic club manager working hard behind the scenes. Most notably the first three components of the Palmerston relocation strategy are tracking well ahead of time thanks to the efforts of club staff. Make no mistake about it, the Buffaloes stampede continues and a stronger Buffaloes team will bring a lot to what is already an exciting NTFL season."
Importantly the Buffaloes played six players from Maningrida at the weekend as part of their commitment to providing opportunities to community based players.
"The Buffaloes are leading the way and once the Michael Long Academy accommodations units are built at Marrara we would like to see all teams provide this same opportunity for the community players who bring so much to the competition. Each round of the NTFL could potentially see up to 50 community players residing at the Academy which will be a massive win for NT Footy,"
As previously reported AFLNT has recorded a 29% growth in participation and this astonishing growth, the highest in Australia by a huge margin, is reflected in the number of Juniors playing NTFL football at TIO stadium, on Friday evenings.
"To see the growth in Junior numbers playing under lights at TIO on Fridays is extremely satisfying and we will continue with our efforts to grow these numbers. We have an ongoing strategy in place to fully utilise our talented game development staff in Darwin, Palmerston and the rural area to support the clubs junior structures," said Frawley.
Round 4 of the TIO NTFL 2012-13 looks set to be just as exciting as the preceding round with the Tigers v Redtails clash at 2:15 on Saturday afternoon at TIO and the leagues two in form teams Districts and Saints squaring off at Norbuilt oval on Sunday at 4pm.
"It is hard to imagine how this season can get any more exciting but this is Territory footy so we know it will. This season has been named ‘The Spirit of the Territory’ season and this is certainly proving to be the case as the football loving Territorians have embraced this season like never before."