AFL Northern Territory and the Central Australian Football League (CAFL) are pleased to announce the appointment of Matt Campbell as the Men’s Representative Coach and Sheralee Taylor as the Women’s Representative Coach for the highly anticipated CAFL vs NTFL clash in April.
A well-respected figure in Northern Territory football, Matt Campbell brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the CAFL Men’s Representative side. This will be his third time coaching the CAFL Men’s Representative team, highlighting his deep connection to the squad and commitment to the continued growth of football in Central Australia. A former AFL player with the Kangaroos and an influential coach in the Territory, Campbell’s passion and understanding of the game will be crucial in preparing the team for this historic encounter.
Sheralee Taylor, off the back of coaching the Under 23’s CAFL Side in 2024, is well respected in the Central Australia football landscape, has been appointed as the coach of the Women’s Representative team. Taylor who became the first female coach to win a CAFL premiership in 2019 comes from significant CAFL lineage with both her parents inducted as AFL Northern Territory Life Members, has been instrumental in the development of women’s footy in the region and will lead the side with her trademark energy and commitment.
Head of AFL Northern Territory, Sam Gibson expressed enthusiasm about the appointments, stating: “We are thrilled to have Matthew and Sheralee leading our CAFL representative teams.
Both have extensive knowledge of football in Central Australia and are highly regarded within our football community. Their leadership will be invaluable as the CAFL prepares to take on the NTFL in what promises to be two great contests.”
The CAFL vs NTFL clashes mark the return of a historic rivalry, with the top players from the Central Australian Football League set to go head-to-head with the best from the Northern Territory Football League. This year’s event will feature both Men’s and Women’s representative matches, highlighting the depth of talent in Territory football.
CAFL has had a strong presence in recent representative clashes, delivering memorable performances against top NTFL clubs. In 2023, the CAFL side narrowly lost to Waratah in a nail-biting five-point contest. More recently, CAFL produced a dominant display at TIO Traeger Park against St Mary’s, securing a convincing victory after a commanding eight-goal final quarter.
Set for Saturday, 5 April 2025, at TIO Traeger Park, Alice Springs, this highly anticipated event will showcase the best of the Territory’s football talent, with both Men’s and Women’s representative teams going head-to-head in a thrilling revival of a historic rivalry.
Further details on the squads, match schedule, and ticketing will be released in the coming weeks.