Joe Sarib OAM exploded onto the Top End football scene at the age of 18, playing for the Darwin Buffaloes, and became one of the greatest players the Buffaloes and competition has ever seen.

Joe played in a number of positions throughout his football career including Full Forward, Rover, Centre Wing and Centreman where he displayed outstanding pace, agility and class.

Joe was a four time Premiership Player, winning consecutive flags in 1948/49, 1949/50, 1950/51 and 1951/52 as well as a member of the Buffaloes grand final teams of 1952/53, 1953/54 and 1954/55.

Joe was awarded the Buffaloes Best and Fairest four times, often referred to as the ‘superstar of the 1950’s’. In 1949, Joe represented Darwin in a game against Central Australia, scoring four goals, and in the 1949/50 season he won the prestigious Nichols Medal at just 19 years of age.

In 1953/54, Joe was awarded the Best on Ground in the grand final against Waratahs. The next year in 1954/55, Joe captained the Buffaloes to the grand final, winning the Club’s Best and Fairest award and coming equal Runner-up to Billy Roe in the Nichols Medal.

Joe was one of the first to take-up basketball in Darwin and in 1954 was selected as Captain of the first ever NT representative team to play in the Australian Basketball Championships.

Joe spent 46 years working for the Northern Territory Administration and was awarded an Order of Australia for his service, one of the longest serving employee’s in the Territory’s history.

Joe Sarib will always be remembered as one of the greatest Buffaloes of all time, not only a Life Member but a genuine Club legend. It is our honour to recognise the remarkable achievements of one of the Territories most admired and respected footballers; Joe Sarib OAM, into the AFLNT Hall of Fame.