TIWI ISLANDS
Affiliated: NTFL from 2007/8
Club Address: P.O. Box 40051, Casuarina 0811
Home Ground: All matches played in Darwin
Formed: 2006
Colours: Black and red
Emblem: Bombers
Premierships: Nil
Nichols Medallists: Nil
Australian football has been played on Bathurst and Melville Island, which together form the Tiwi Islands, for well in excess of half a century, with organised competition dating back to 1969. The annual Tiwi Island grand final is a significant event in the Northern Territory sporting calendar, while the skill, athleticism and verve of Tiwi Island footballers is recognised and admired throughout Australia. Among the Tiwi Islanders to have played football at the top level have been David Kantilla (South Adelaide), Maurice Rioli (South Fremantle and Richmond), and Michael Long (West Torrens and Essendon).
The Tiwi Islands combined team – nicknamed the Bombers because of a loose affiliation with AFL club Essendon - joined the NTFL competition in 2007. During the 2006/7 season the team engaged in a ‘dummy run’ whereby it played each of the seven NTFL clubs once, albeit with no premiership points at stake. The Bombers won six of these matches, losing only to eventual premiership side Southern Districts.
Not all of the best Tiwi Island footballers lined up with the Bombers in 2007/8 as several were already contracted to other NTFL clubs. The side also faced the difficulty of effectively having to play all its matches away from home. Nevertheless, it performed extremely creditably, winning 13 of 18 games to qualify for the finals with some comfort, behind minor premiers Southern Districts and second placed St Marys only on percentage. Unfortunately, it then failed to do itself justice in losing consecutive finals matches to Southern Districts and Waratah meaning that it was ultimately placed fourth.
Where now?
or