WHILE the summer period marks a well-earned offseason for most footballers, those in the Northern Territory are in the midst of their 2025/26 campaign. Fly-ins have bolstered the competition, but there is also an emerging crop of local talent looking to earn senior opportunities. We highlight some of the NT’s Under-20 prospects to have graced the Men’s Premier League (MPL) this season, club-by-club.

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DARWIN BUFFALOES:

Darwin is unlikely to earn a finals appearance this season, sitting eight points adrift in seventh with five games left to play. Nonetheless, the Buffaloes have put plenty of gametime into Kalen Russell. The smooth moving utility has spent much of his junior career down in South Australia, and played all of his eight MPL games before the new year. His top disposal haul was an effort of 13 against Wanderers in Round 1, while he has gathered 11 on two seperate occasions. More recently, Paddy McAuliffe-Smith made his top flight debut in Round 13 after two Reserves games, while Melbourne Grammarian Jack Jones has turned out twice at the level and was among the Buffs’ best both times.

NIGHTCLIFF TIGERS:

Nightcliff is among this season’s contenders, currently sitting third thanks to a bounceback win after the break. The Tigers boast some of the Territory’s most exciting talent, including last year’s Under 16 MVP and All-Australian Gus Trigwell. Able to play at either end of the ground, the 17-year-old has made eight appearances since debuting in Round 2. He had seven touches at 100 per cent efficiency in Nightcliff’s Round 13 win over Darwin.

Established youngster Adrian Scott recently featured on the highlight reel with a terrific snap goal, one of his three for the season from seven games. He gathered 12 disposals against the Buffs and came through the Oakleigh Chargers program in 2024. Elsewhere, diminutive distributor Hau-Tze Rock continues to gain senior experience among his Under 17 eligibility. He has played five MPL games this season and managed 11 touches in the Tigers’ latest victory.

PALMERSTON MAGPIES:

Palmerston broke through for its first win of the season last weekend but remains planted to the bottom of the ladder. It’s little surprise, then, that the Magpies have blooded more youngsters than any other team.

The Davey family continues to feature in black and white, with cousins Waylon and Alijah turning out alongside twins Alwyn and Jayden. Waylon has played eight times this season for 11 goals, including two bags of three. Alijah’s four appearances yielded a lone goal in Round 9, though he impressed with 14 disposals, three marks and three tackles in the recent victory over Wanderers.

Joel Munnich and Jordan Clyne also featured in the Round 13 win, both notching nine disposals and four marks. Both have played 10 games this season and made appearances in the Magpies’ bests. Meanwhile, Deacon Summerville and Nathaniel Lampton have turned out thrice each having made double-digit appearances in the 2024/25 campaign. Both are part of the NT’s 2008-born crop.

PINT:

PINT is another flag contender, currently occupying second place on the ladder after losing a top-of-the-table clash to Southern Districts in Round 13. While other clubs have a higher concentration of academy talent, the Greenants boast arguably the Territory’s best 2009-born prospect in Hugo Timms. The 193cm forward won MVP honours at last year’s Under 16 championships and boards with Scotch College down in Melbourne. He has played five MPL games this season, booting three goals in Round 10 among a tally of six overall.

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS:

Currently sitting pretty atop the MPL ladder, Southern Districts are stacked with quality and experience. 19-year-old Taj Stanley is arguably the club’s best youngster, having represented the Allies in 2024 via Perth’s WAFL Colts outfit. The bull-like utility has played eight games this season, with his most recent yielding eight disposals and a goal in the win over PINT.

Ben Barnard is another exciting talent who has spent time interstate, linking up with Sturt down in South Australia. He was elevated to the Crocs’ MPL side after two goals in his lone Reserves outing this season. Harold Sage has also earned senior opportunities for Southern Districts, playing six MPL games to go with five Reserves appearances. He made his top flight debut last year.

ST MARY’S:

The fourth-placed Saints are thereabouts once again and as usual, have plenty of strong mentors for their young talent. Kairyce Lowah has been one of the best emerging finds, playing four games this season and booting a goal on debut in Round 10. The 2009-born prospect posted 11 touches and three marks in St Mary’s most recent win, over Tiwi.

Ethan Bush, has played a single MPL game this season to go with eight Reserves appearances. He was part of the Oakleigh Chargers program last year and even played senior footy for Moe in Victoria’s Gippsland League. Aaron McWilliams is another in the mix having played two MPL games to start the campaign. He more recently returned to Reserves level after a stint in the Under 17s.

TIWI BOMBERS:

Tiwi is within striking distance of the top five, but has lost four of its last five matches in pursuit of a finals berth. The Bombers have afforded plenty of experience to Frances Tipungwuti, a player capable of producing highlight reel moments. He has kicked 16 goals in 10 MPL games this season, including a high of five against Wanderers in Round 7. Tipungwuti also plied his trade for Henty in the Hume Football Netball League last year, booting 27 goals in 11 appearances. He’s quick, can take a speccy, and has terrific goal sense.

WANDERERS:

It’s hard to forget a name like Sonny Smiler, who has also played some memorable football of late. He was selected to play in the National Under 17 Futures match on AFL Grand Final day, and has since played seven MPL games for the Muk Muks. Smiler was part of the NT’s Under 16 squad last year alongside 2009-born talent Jaren Sambo, who snared a goal on debut in Round 5. Elsewhere, former Tiwi and Palmerston MPL player Edward Darcy has played twice for Wanderers this season.

WARATAH:

Nightcliff junior Zac Withers has established himself in the Warriors’ side, playing 11 games and kicking four goals this season. He was named among the Tahs’ best players in their Round 3 win over Palmerston, kicking one of his four goals for the campaign from 11 disposals.

Clay Shadforth, who has played football in South Australia and Victoria in recent years, remains one of the Territory’s most high-upside talents. The speedy midfielder-forward has played six MPL games for three goals this season. Meanwhile, tall prospect Brody Embuscado has turned out four times for Waratah with one appearance in the bests.