AFL Northern Territory today announced its official line-up of events for TIO NTFL ‘Seatbelts Save Lives’ Grand Final week.
Fans from all over Australia will converge on the Territory to join the locals and share memories and experience on one of the nation’s greatest exhibitions of pure football talent, the NTFL Grand Final.
The week kicked off in style with Territory football’s night of nights, the Officeworks Nichols Medal, at SKYCITY Casino on Sunday being won by the Tiwi Bombers captain Shane Tippuamantmirri and as always the week of football fever concludes with the famed Tiwi Islands Football League Grand Final on Sunday 17th March.
AFLNT CEO Tony Frawley said the biggest week in Territory sport offers fans and visitors a thrilling experience, with football played to the highest standard and many ancillary events that fans can be part of.
“This is the biggest week that showcases the Territory’s number one sport in a week long celebration of our great game”, said Frawley,
“The Officeworks Nichols Medal had a very deserving winner in Shane Tippuamantmirri who made one of the most endearing acceptance speeches I have ever heard.
“With so much happening and so many great people travelling from interstate for the week, it is a great way for people to witness first hand how popular football in the NT really is.
“Football is the biggest sport in the NT and this is Football’s biggest week.We are thrilled with the regional and remote focus of this years Grand Finals with the Katherine Hawks playing in the U18 final, Jabiru Bombers in the Div 2 final and of course the Tiwi Bombers in the big game .As we have flagged all season “football is the spirit of the Territory” and we are delighted that two very worthy adversaries St Mary’s and Tiwi Bombers get to once again square off in the biggest game in NT sport.”
Frawley added that a number of key events with high profile guests were well worth attending and give footy fans a great opportunity to have a pre game experience.
“Shennanignas are once again hosting the representatives from the two finalists at their famous St Patrick’s day breakfast on Friday, Nightcliffs traditional Grand Final Breakfast on Saturday with Merv Hughes and Tony Shaw is not to be missed and the ultimate pre game function is being held by St Mary’s in their clubhouse with a number of great speakers present to entertain attendees.” said Frawley.
All the footy action also kicks off at 8am at TIO Stadium and TIO 2 with nine matches being played throughout the day. Please see below for the full list of matches.
GRAND FINALS
SATURDAY 16 MARCH 2013
TIO Stadium
8.30 am U 14 Gundersen Nightcliff V Southern Districts
10.15 am U 16 Hickman Buffaloes v Nightcliff
12.00 pm Under 18 Southern Districts V Big River Hawks
2.00 pm Div 2 Jabiru V University
4.15 pm Div 1 Banks V Waratah
6.30 pm Premier League St Marys V Tiwi Bombers
TIO 2
8.00 am U 12 Atkinson 2 Waratah V Palmerston
9.45 am U 12 Atkinson 1 St Marys V Wanderers
11.30 am U 14 Lewfatt Nightcliff V Buffaloes
1.15 pm U 16 Leverance St Mary’s V Southern Districts
SUNDAY 17 MARCH 2013
Tiwi Oval
2.00 TIFL Grand Final Imalu V Tapalinga
The Tiwi Island Grand final takes place on Sunday the 17th at 2pm.
“The Tiwi Grand Final is an important part of our remote footprint in the Territory and has for many years provided players with a potential pathway to the AFL”, said Frawley,
“We couldn’t ask for a better way to round off the biggest week in Territory sport”.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Sunday 10th March – Officeworks Nichols Medal, Won by Shane Tippumantimirri
Friday 15th March – TIO NTFL Grand Final Media Conference, Shennanigans, Mitchell Street
Friday 15th March – International Rules game, Darwin Shamrocks GAA club v Palmerston Magpies, Northline Oval 6:30pm
Saturday 16 March – Nightcliff Grand Final Breakfast, Nightcliff Sports Club from 8am
Saturday 16 March – TIO NTFL ‘Seatbelts Save Lives’ Grand Finals, TIO Stadium from 8am
Sunday 17 March – Tiwi Islands Football League Grand Final