AFL Northern Territory (AFLNT) has completed an investigation into player eligibility during the 2025 Barkly Australian Football League (BAFL) Senior Men’s Finals Series.
Following a formal complaint from Elliott Hawks FC on 19 September 2025, AFLNT investigated the eligibility of a player in the 2025 BAFL Senior Men’s A Grade Finals.
The investigation found that YDU FC knowingly played an ineligible player in the 2025 BAFL Senior Men’s Preliminary Final. This breach was intentional and administrative in nature and represented a failure to follow AFLNT Rules and Regulations and the 2025 National Community Football Policy Handbook relating to player registration and finals eligibility.
Consequently, the player was ineligible for the Preliminary Final, which directly determined Grand Final qualification. This means the result of the 2025 BAFL Senior Men’s Grand Final is no longer recognised.
As a result:
The 2025 BAFL Senior Men’s Preliminary Final is deemed a forfeit.
Because this match directly determined Grand Final qualification, the result of the 2025 BAFL Senior Men’s Grand Final will not stand.
Elliott Hawks will be formally recognised as the 2025 BAFL Senior Men’s Minor Premiers.
AFLNT acknowledges the disappointment this decision may cause but reinforces that the integrity of competition must always be upheld.