AFL Northern Territory (AFLNT) and the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) will be celebrating three major milestones this weekend in Round 5 of the 2016/17 TIO NTFL season.
St Mary’s stalwart and 2008/09 Nichols Medal winner, Iggy Vallejo is set to become the NTFL games-record holder when he runs out against Waratah at TIO Stadium on Saturday night.
It will be the 329th senior NTFL game for Vallejo, all of them in the famed green and gold.
He will surpass a 17-year-old record held by AFLNT Team of the Century member and another St Mary’s favourite, Michael Athanasiou.
Vallejo has enjoyed great success during his NTFL career; adding nine premierships and two club best and fairest awards to his Nichols Medal.
AFLNT CEO Michael Solomon said Vallejo’s remarkable achievement deserved special recognition by the league.
“We have a number of activations planned to celebrate Iggy, including a special stencil in the 50s arcs on the ground, a banner he will run through and a commemorative medal. I also believe St Mary’s will be forming a guard of honour, small gestures but all richly deserved.
“I encourage all fans of NT footy to come down to TIO Stadium on Saturday night and help us celebrate and acknowledge just how great this is. It will probably be some time before it is broken again,” Solomon said.
Earlier on Saturday, NTFL boundary umpire Kathryn Flynn will run her 250th Premier League game when Darwin Buffaloes take on ladder-leaders Nightcliff at TIO Stadium.
Solomon acknowledged Flynn’s achievement took dedication and commitment.
“There’s no denying that attracting umpires can sometimes be a hard task but people like Kathryn prove that there is great personal reward to be enjoyed.
“She’s a quietly spoken, humble person but it’s a great achievement and a lot of running to have 250 Premier League games against your name,” Solomon said.
Another big milestone will take place on Sunday when Wanderers’ defender Beckie Taylor pulls on the boots for her 200th game against Palmerston, all 200 of them consecutively.
A force in NT women’s footy, Taylor began playing in Round 1 of the inaugural season back in September 2004 and has not missed a game since.
She has also umpired more than 170 NTFL games, often doubling-up on her playing and officiating on a weekend.
Solomon said Taylor has been a big contributor to women’s footy in the NT from day one and her longevity deserved recognition.
“Beckie could probably run around out there for another 12 years, reaching 200 games is no easy-feat but she is testament to good health and fitness.
“She does a lot for the game off the field also, including working with AFLNT historian Michael Barfoot to right the history books with correct stats and facts from the women’s games and I have no doubt that she is inspiring future generations of footballers,” Solomon said.