THE NORTHERN Territory Football League’s (NTFL) All-Star showcase takes place tomorrow, with four games set to deliver the best the NT has to offer. Under 18 boys and girls open the show for fixtures between the senior locals and imports, and we highlight the players to watch in each match.

>> SQUADS: 2026 NTFL All-Star Saturday

ALL-STAR SATURDAY SCHEDULE

11:45am: Under 18 Girls Futures Match
1:45pm: Under 18 Boys Futures Match 
4:00pm: Senior Women’s All-Star Match
6:30pm: Senior Men’s All-Star Match

UNDER 18 FUTURES GIRLS

Both sides boast several players with Women’s Premier League (WPL) exposure this year, highlighting how quickly the next generation is emerging. Tiwi forward Taniesha John-Forrest is the Heat’s most experienced, playing 13 times for five appearances in the Bombers’ bests.

Maitea Golowyn has also managed 13 games for Palmerston and will join John-Forrest up forward. Wanderers’ Daisha Daly is one to watch off half-back having been named in the bests for half of her 10 WPL games this year. Fellow Muk Muk Niesha Casimiro lines up next to her in defence.

The Heat side is bookended by full forward Gabriella Reisinger and full back Anjel Noble-Webster, who recently made her WPL debut for Darwin. Through midfield, the likes of Makenzy Smith and Grace Anstess have plenty of potential, along with winger Lara Leanne.

At the heart of the Spears lineup is reigning NT Under 16 MVP Layla May. She’ll be serviced by ruck Jonita Kingsley, who has been named in Wanderers’ bests for five of her eight WPL appearances. Palmerston’s Lailanie Rioli joins them among an exciting engine room mix.

The forwardline features Angel Ahfat, who along with Shakana Rankine and Kayla Ilett boasts senior experience this year. Down back, Nightcliff’s Jessica Hardwick is sure to be prominent next to the likes of Claire Corbett and Maddison Hunter, who has played footy down in Victoria for Torquay.

SQUADS:

Team Heat

B: Sophia Karanikolas | Anjel Noble-Webster | Keira Pilkie 
HB: Maria Tipuamantamerri | Niesha Casimiro | Daisha Daly 
C: Lara Leanne | Maya Nunn | Skye Hammet 
HF: Maitea Golowyn | Chanelle Fejo | Akia-Marie Lake 
F: Taniesha John-Forrest | Gabirella Reisinger | Maya Wauchope 
FOL: Miley Cunningham | Grace Anstess | Makenzy Smith 

INT: Phoebe Mighall, Skye Smith, Eimi Smith, Riana Ryan, Isla Campbell, Brieanna Tyrrell 

Coaches: Gabrielle Deller & Zimmorlei Farquharson

Team Spears

B: Claire Corbett | Ashlin Bucklar | Maddison Hunter 
HB: Brylee Akers | Taylor Mason | Jessica Hardwick 
C: Kaitlyn Berry | Layla May | Quinesha Jones 
HF: Shakana Rankine | Kayla Ilett | Harmony Lacey 
F: Bella Brown | Anika McGarvie | Angel Ahfat 
FOL: Jonita Kingsley | Amber Quinn | Lailanie Rioli 

INT: Claira Johnston | Montana Johnston | Porsha Pryse | Amy Ward | Mia Puruntatameri | Kaydee Angel 

EMG: Frances Bowden, Olivia Gee, Agnes Calma-Long

Coaches: Lucy Northcott & Ella Ward

UNDER 18 FUTURES BOYS

Plenty of prominent NT Academy members are littered across both the Heat and Spears squads, no less prospects with Men’s Premier League experience. The Heat half-back line is sure to be an eye-catcher, featuring MPL regulars Hau-Tze Rock, Deacon Summerville, and Kairyce Lowah.

Nathaniel Lampton should help them connect the lines off the wing and into a forwardline which features Edward Darcy. The midfield should also generate plenty of momentum with Under 16 All-Australian Gus Trigwell lining up next to Gary Lawford, who is part of the Oakleigh Chargers program in Victoria.

The Spears’ midfield is just as star-studded, with towering ruck Isaac Herold having Zac Withers, Sonny Smiler, and Riley Seden-Kurnoth at his feet. All four have made their MPL debuts, with Withers in particular becoming a permanent fixture for Waratah this season.

Reigning Territory Under 16 MVP Hugo Timms spearheads a forwardline which also features the dangerous Jaren Sambo. Meanwhile, Southern Districts pair Sydney-Jack Baker and Ben Barnard shore up the defence having recently made an impact in the Crocs’ MPL side.

Team Heat

B: Lukah Case | Brodie Costello | Ricco Chubb 
HB: Hau-Tze Rock | Deacon Summerville | Kairyce Lowah 
C: Nathaniel Lampton | Dayne Oliver | Dusty Cannard 
HF: Paddy McAuliffe-Smith | Edward Darcy | Hubert Cunningham 
F: Dwaine Ah Sam | Ian Thomson | Jalyn Priestley 
FOL: Oscar Timms | Gus Trigwell | Gary Lawford 

INT: Jasper Da Rocha, Lyncoln Stockwell, Thomas Fabila, Dylan Stanley, Deklyn Patrick, Josh Hill

Coaches: Willie Rioli and Scott Carlin

Team Spears

B: Sydney-Jack Baker | Archie McLeod | Glenn Ah Mat 
HB: Aaron McWilliams | Mazlan Patrick | Ben Barnard 
C: Will Innes | Zac Withers | Requan Taylor 
HF: Jaren Sambo | Joey Wesley | Juraiya Calma-Long 
F: Kevin Garrawurra | Hugo Timms | Owen Campbell 
FOL: Isaac Herold | Sonny Smiler | Riley Seden-Kurnoth 

INT: Reuben Kreuger, Max Mason, Leon Zammit, Cruz Vallejo, Eirenaios Ryder, Elijah Swiggs

Coaches: Kieren Parnell and Cody Szust

SENIOR WOMEN’S ALL-STARS

Team Heat, featuring local talent and long-time NTFL players, is captained by St Mary’s defender Janet Baird. She’s among the several players to have had experience on an AFLW list, leading from the likes of Stephanie Williams and Ashanti Bush.

The forwardline is stacked with firepower, as the WPL’s second and third leading goalkickers – Cassie McWilliam and Eva Harris – team up. Darwin pair Molly Althouse and Jenara Grant bring experience, while young guns Peggy Rock, Tatyana Perry, and Marika Carlton are sure to steal the show with their flair.

Team Spears boasts the rare flex of having a current AFLW player in its ranks – Greater Western Sydney ruck Fleur Davies. The talented team of imports is set to be led by co-captains Gabby Deller and Maddi Shaw, who have also made their names in the VFLW.

Among the big names are ex-AFLW players Zimmorlei Farquharson and Renee Tierney, who have both been boom recruits for their sides. Palmerston pair Ella Ward and Shannon Murphy are others who have made a serious impression this season, and should give the Spears an edge.

HEAT: Molly Althouse (Darwin Buffaloes), Jenara Grant (Darwin Buffaloes), Athurina Moreen (Tiwi Bombers), Lekaiya Rabbitt (Nightcliff), Gracie Roy (Nightcliff), Stephanie Williams (Wanderers), Cate Twaddle (Southern Districts), Peggy Rock (Nightcliff), Jorja Davey (Palmerston), Danika McDonald (Palmerston), Reni Hicks (PINT), Cassie McWilliam (Nightcliff), Tatyana Perry (Palmerston), Ciana Niesner (Palmerston), Paula Pavic (St Mary’s), Janet Baird (St Mary’s), Marika Carlton (Palmerston), Eva Harris (Southern Districts), Taelah Smith (Southern Districts), Lexie Cagney (St Mary’s), Lakhyah Hill (St Mary’s), Shakaila Gardiner-Dunn (St Mary’s), Jo-Anna Baltais (Waratah), Ashanti Bush (Wanderers)

SPEARS: Fleur Davies (Nightcliff), Maddi Shaw (Southern Districts), Jasmine Ware (Nightcliff), Nakeesha Miniter (St Mary’s), Kayla Mudge (Palmerston), Sarah Darcy (Tiwi Bombers), Sally Evans (Nightcliff), Grace Hodder (Southern Districts), Zimmorlei Farquharson (PINT), Jamilla Cranny (Waratah), Ella Ward (Palmerston), Laura Roy (Nightcliff), Kloe McElhinney (Tracy Village), Shannon Murphy (Palmerston), Nayley Borg (Southern Districts), Gabby Deller (Nightcliff), Zoe Larkins (St Mary’s), Kaitlyn O’Keefe (Southern Districts), Eliza Hand (Nightcliff), Rosie Wilson (Tiwi Bombers), Chloe Kodagoda (Nightcliff), Eilish Grundon (PINT), Renee Tierney (PINT), Alessia Smythe (Southern Districts) – Emergency, Leah Dunlop (Tiwi Bombers / Banks Bulldogs) – Emergency

SENIOR MEN’S ALL-STARS

The Heat men’s team is nothing short of stacked. Willie Rioli takes the reins as captain, leading a lineup of several former AFL-listed players. That list included midfield bull Brandan Parfitt, youngsters Jayden Davey and Lloyd Johnston, and talls Wade Derksen and Ryan Nyhuis.

Elsewhere, the likes of Matt Dennis, Scott Carlin, and Dylan Landt have established themselves as modern NTFL champions, making the team as decorated imports. Meanwhile, recent milestone men Jarrod Stokes and Braedon McLean are living legends of the competition.

Leading the talented Team Spears is Waratah’s Cody Szust. Ex-AFL duo Connor West and James Rowe are sure to run amok in a midfield which bats deep. The likes of VFL trio Archie Stevens, Riley Baldi, and Jack Brown will also want a go through the guts, along with Mitchell Trewhella.

Up forward, the dynamic Shay Linke and former-AFL goalkicker Fergus Greene should provide some firepower in combination with the current MPL leading goalkicker Noah Spiteri. Other key names to keep an eye out for include Lachie Tardew and Charlie Offermans.

HEAT: Willie Rioli (Tiwi Bombers), Jarrod Stokes (Darwin Buffaloes), Matt Bricknell (Banks), Bradley Stokes (Darwin Buffaloes), Leonard Ferreira (Jabiru Bombers), Ryan Nyhuis (Nightcliff), Jayden Davey (Palmerston), Brodie Lake (Southern Districts), Dylan Barry (Southern Districts), Will Farrer (Southern Districts), Brandan Parfitt (Nightcliff), Matthew Dennis (Southern Districts), Beau Schwarze (Southern Districts), Connor McDonald (PINT), Xavier Vallejo (St Mary’s), Lloyd Johnston (Southern Districts), Dylan Landt (St Mary’s), Kieren Parnell (St Mary’s), Nigel Lockyer (Tiwi Bombers), Karlson Kantilla (Tiwi Bombers), Wade Derksen (Nightcliff), Braedon McLean (Tiwi Bombers), Kim Kantilla (Tiwi Bombers), Michael Thompson (Tiwi Bombers), Joel Stevens (Waratah), Scott Carlin (Waratah), Robert Turnbull (Waratah), Jack Landt (St Mary’s), Matthew Motlop (Wanderers)

SPEARS: Connor West (St Mary’s), James Rowe (PINT), Lucas Edmonds (Palmerston), Jack Steele (Tiwi Bombers), Shay Linke (Nightcliff), Mitchell Trewhella (Nightcliff), Fergus Greene (Nightcliff), Charlton Offermans (St Mary’s), Mitchell Jorgensen (Waratah), Archie Stevens (PINT), Cody Szust (Waratah), Tyler Phillips (Wanderers), Riley Baldi (Nightcliff), Joel Hillis (Waratah), Tom Simpson (Darwin Buffaloes), Sam Donegan (Palmerston), Lachlan Tardrew (Nightcliff), Jack Brown (PINT), Billy Shanks (Wanderers), Ryan Crisp (St Mary’s), Callum Doyle (Banks), Macaulay Glover (Nightcliff), Boyd Bailey (Nightcliff), Bailey Frauenfelder (PINT), Noah Spiteri (PINT), Brad Ryan (PINT), Nathan Denes (Darwin Buffaloes), Luke Davies (St Mary’s), Tanna Blackney-Noter (Tiwi Bombers), Liam Ritchie (Banks Bulldogs) – Emergency, Darcy Hennessy (Banks Bulldogs) – Emergency