PM backs bid for future NT AFL team, no promises on funding

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has voiced his support for the Northern Territory to gain an Australian Football League (AFL) team, though he remained non-committal regarding government funding. The NT is considered a strong contender for the league's 20th license, competing with Western Australia and the ACT. This potential expansion follows Tasmania's entry into the AFL with the Devils in 2028, moving the competition towards greater national representation.

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I'd love to see a team here in the territory, as I'm sure all Territorians would.

Albanese attended the Tiwi Islands grand final, marking the first time a sitting prime minister has visited the iconic match. Despite the region's reputation for nurturing exceptional talent, the NT has yet to field a top-tier AFL team. "I'd love to see a team here in the territory, as I'm sure all Territorians would," Albanese stated, adding that discussions with the AFL would continue.

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It's a while off, [but] we'll continue to talk and engage with the AFL as well.

Northern Land Council chair Matt Ryan emphasized the significant social benefits an AFL team would bring to the NT. "We have the raw talent, and I think we can do it," he said, advocating for a collective funding effort. Ryan believes an NT team could help address the declining number of Indigenous players in the league. Tiwi Islands player Mara Munkara echoed this sentiment, stating that a local team would be immensely meaningful to the Tiwi people, bringing excitement and unity.

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I don't run the AFL, so I'll wait, and certainly any submissions from the AFL [for funding] would be welcome.

A task force is actively working to build a case for a local team, with a 2024 business case recommending federal funding for a new Darwin stadium to enhance the NT's chances.

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We have the raw talent, and I think we can do it.