AFL Northern Territory (AFLNT) is pleased to announce Ryan Ayres and Leigh Crossman as the Men’s Representative Coaches for the inaugural NTFL All Star Saturday, to be held at TIO Stadium on Saturday 24 January 2026. The teams this year are again proudly supported by premier partner Cazalys Palmerston Club, continuing their long-standing commitment to NTFL Representative Football.
Ayres will lead the Heat All-Star Team, featuring players with long-standing Territory connections and those developed through the TIO NTFL system. Crossman will take charge of the Spears All-Star Team, representing high-impact talent recruited from across Australia who have made a strong impression during the 2025/26 season.
Ryan Ayres brings extensive coaching experience to the Heat program following a successful six-year tenure as Senior Coach of Waratah Football Club from 2018 to 2024. During this period, Ayres guided Waratah to multiple finals campaigns, including a Grand Final appearance in 2021/22 and the 2022/23 TIO NTFL Premiership, ending a 23-year premiership drought.
His broader football background includes playing and coaching roles with Melbourne Football Club, Darwin Football Club, West Adelaide Football Club Reserves, and Waratah’s Under-15 side.
“The Territory has produced and nurtured some outstanding football talent, and it’s a privilege to bring those players together,” Ayres said. “All Star Saturday will be a great celebration of what makes NT football unique.”
Leigh Crossman brings a decorated coaching career across the NTFL and VFL pathways to the NTFL Spears. His achievements include a 2011/12 NTFL Premiership with the Tiwi Bombers, back-to-back Reserves Premierships with Banks Football Club in 2021/22 and 2022/23, and recent senior results of runners-up in 2023/24 and third place in 2024/25. Crossman continued his position as Nightcliff Premier League Coach for the 2025/26 TIO NTFL season.
“Our competition is enriched by the quality of players who come to the Territory from across Australia,” Crossman said. “The Spears recognise the impact they make, and I’m looking forward to working with this group in a high-performance environment.”
The appointments of Ayres and Crossman mark the first of several leadership announcements ahead of NTFL All Star Saturday. Coaches for the Women’s All-Star matches, Under-18 Futures teams, and additional support staff will be confirmed in the coming weeks, with full squad, scheduling, and match format details to follow.