AFL Northern Territory (AFLNT) is thrilled to announce the 2021/22 TIO Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) Senior and Under 18 season fixtures, highlighted by our Premier Partner, TIO’s 30th year of supporting Territory footy.
This season’s spotlight will be on TIO’s support of Territory footy for three decades, shined on at the season launch on Saturday 2 October which features a primetime grand final rematch between Nightcliff and St Mary’s at TIO Stadium.
The highly anticipated Women’s Premier League (WPL) grand final rematch between PINT and Darwin Buffettes features during Round 13 at DXC Arena. They meet again for the second time during Round 17 at TIO Stadium in the primetime slot of 7pm ensuring fans will get their fix of top quality footy.
These are just a handful of the many highlights of the exciting Senior and Under 18 fixtures released today.
See here for the 2021/22 TIO NTFL Men’s Premier League fixture
See here for the 2021/22 TIO NTFL Women’s Premier League fixture
From Cazalys Arena to Bathurst Island, a total of seven venues will host MPL action this season with every team playing 18 games each in the home and away rounds before a top-five finals series culminates in the Grand Final on Saturday 19 March 2021.
The WPL competition features nine teams across 18 rounds, and in 2021/22 it will continue with a top-five finals series, with the Grand Final scheduled on the same day as MPL for the second year. This finals structure appropriately rewards the team that finishes atop the ladder at the end of the minor rounds.
This season’s fixture also includes a full competition bye the weekend of Saturday 22 January 2022 as we see the return of the famous ochre, black and white guernsey for NTFL representative footy with the challenger to be confirmed.
Umpires Round is set to theme Round 3 and Round 7 will once again be Indigenous Round with Wanderers and Darwin Buffaloes playing in the ‘Nungalinya Cup’ for the third consecutive season. This match will be featured in the primetime 7pm timeslot at TIO Stadium on Saturday 13 November.
Waratah will host Wanderers for the traditional Foundation Cup clash on Wednesday 26 January.
It's Friday Night Lights for the Under 18 Boys and Girls competitions as they dominate Friday evenings of each Round. These games feature in the prime timeslots of Girls at 6pm and Boys at 7.30pm, with a total of 53 Friday night Under 18 matches (inclusive of Boys and Girls) to be played across the 18 rounds.
AFLNT through the Community Football Team has worked closely with all stakeholders to develop a fixture that builds on the successful fixture format and framework from last season to deliver on different key priorities presented by each club and satisfy fixture requests while keeping the overall fan experience at the forefront.
AFLNT is also pleased to deliver a fixture that sees more home games for clubs. This season Darwin Buffaloes and St Mary’s will host games for the first time with Wanderers also gaining an increased number of home games.
AFLNT Community Football Manager Leigh Elder said he believes the fixture it is reflective of the feedback clubs provided and will contribute to a positive fan experience in season 2021/22.
“We’d like to thank the clubs for their input this season. Even though the overall process has taken longer this season, we believe it has helped us achieve a positive result for players, umpires, volunteers and fans alike,” he said.
“This fixture is providing more of an opportunity for all 13 TIO NTFL clubs to generate revenue to enhance and support club financial sustainability through an increased number of fixtured home games this season. For the first time, St Mary’s and Darwin Buffaloes will be hosting games.
“We are also excited for the new Under 18 dedicated Friday night clashes to showcase our future stars of the League.
“Club alignment remains a key priority for the League, and we believe we’re moving in the right direction to ensure clubs can host back-to-back Senior games.
“This year is really special as we celebrate the 30th year of TIO supporting Territory footy. We are really looking forward to honouring this milestone from Round 1 and throughout the season.”
To date, there are a total of six themed rounds assigned for the season, beginning in Round 1 with TIO, followed by Umpiring Round a fortnight later; an opportunity for players and spectators alike to recognise the hard work and dedication showed by the TIO NTFL’s 14th club, the umpiring group.
The TIO NTFL and Towards Zero will partner again in Round 8 to deliver important road safety messages before the holiday period.
Heritage Round in Round 15 will see traditional rivals go head-to-head right across the League.
AFLNT is pleased to continue partnering with the NOMORE Campaign for Round 17, highlighting the vital role football has to play in promoting positive family, community and social behaviour.
Please note, the Women’s Reserves and Junior Competition fixtures will be released later this month. Links to PlayHQ fixtures will be sent via the club update on Friday 3 September. The club specific fixture cards will be available by 10 September.
For more information regarding the Junior dates for 2021/22 TIO NTFL season, please see here for the attached 2021/22 TIO NTFL calendar.
Click here for all Senior and Under 18 competition fixture cards.
UPDATE - 17/09/21
Click on a club below to see their respective fixture:
