The 2024/25 Nichols Medal Event, presented by Cazalys Palmerston Club and hosted at the Mindil Beach Casino Resort, marked a historic occasion with Jasmyn Hewett solidifying her legacy as one of the greatest players in Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) history. Meanwhile, Nightcliff legend Brodie Filo made history himself by becoming the first male player to win three Nichols Medals.
Brodie Filo, the dynamic Nightcliff midfielder, delivered an exceptional season, averaging 28.8 disposals, 5.2 clearances, and 10 goals. The 34-year-old showed no signs of slowing down, helping lift his team to second place on the ladder. Filo appeared in every match for the Tigers during the 2024/25 TIO NTFL season, earning votes in 10 games, including four three-vote performances, to finish with a total of 21 votes, narrowly edging out the second-place contender.
This third Nichols Medal adds to Filo’s already impressive record, following his shared win with Beau O’Connell of Wanderers in the 2019/20 season and his first individual win in 2015/16. Filo is now part of an exclusive group, becoming the only male player in NTFL history to claim three of the league’s highest honour.
Jasmyn Hewett continues to dominate the Women’s Premier League, securing her third Women’s Best and Fairest medal in just five seasons. Taking on a shared coach/player role in the 2024/25 season, Hewett guided her side to another minor premiership with just one loss. Despite focusing more on coaching this year, she made history by becoming the first female to win three Women’s Best and Fairest medals.
The newly-appointed NTFL Women’s representative coach remained an unstoppable force in the ruck, also managing to score 11 goals throughout the season. Hewett recorded 31 votes, including 8 three-vote performances, with standout performances particularly between Rounds 1-5 and 11-14.
In a thrilling season for key forwards, St Mary’s Jackson Calder reclaimed the title of Men’s Leading Goal Kicker for the third time, finishing with 56 goals. Calder edged out former Geelong and Port Adelaide player Steven Motlop, who kicked 37 goals for Southern Districts.
Nightcliff’s Cassie McWilliam took home her first Women’s Leading Goal Kicker award, scoring 36 goals during the season. Her standout performance came in Round 15 against Southern Districts, when she kicked an impressive 6 goals. Tying for second place were young talents Marika Carlton from Palmerston and Maria Rioli from the Tiwi Bombers.
The Nightcliff Tigers continued to shine with Sean Hunter claiming the 2024/25 NT News Men’s Rising Star award. Debuting in Round 1, Hunter quickly made an impact, earning his nomination by Round 6. Averaging 13.2 disposals, 2.1 tackles, and 7 goals, he was named Nightcliff’s best player on seven occasions throughout the season.
Alongside Hunter, Shakaila Gardiner-Dunn from St Mary’s emerged as one of the league’s rising stars. The talented player contributed to the Saints’ potential premiership run, with standout performances and eight best-on-ground nominations. Gardiner-Dunn also found herself in the mix for the leading goal kicker title, and her focus now shifts to helping her team secure a Grand Final victory.
Jacob Port was named NTFL Umpire of the Year after officiating 21 Premier League matches and several others across all divisions. His professionalism on and off the field earned him the prestigious recognition, reflecting his strong leadership in the umpire community.
In the Men’s Premier League reserves, Jaise Coleman claimed the Mitch Lee Medal for the second time, having previously won it in the 2013/14 season. He polled the second-highest vote total, trailing only Will Johnson from Banks Bulldogs, who received the most votes in the 2015/16 season. Matthew Bricknell from Banks Bulldogs was the leading goal kicker with an impressive 62 goals.
Liam Read of the Jabiru Bombers was named the Lancaster Medallist for Men’s Division One, polling votes in 7 out of the 10 matches he played. He scored the maximum three votes in six of those games. Aidan McAdam, his teammate, claimed the title of leading goal kicker with 21 goals.
Leah Reilly from Banks Bulldogs took home the Women’s Division One Best and Fairest with 14 votes, having polled in 5 matches. She is the second consecutive Banks player to win the award, following Sophia Kanyilmaz’s success last season. Charlotte D’Ambrosio's 22 goals earned her the title of leading goal kicker in this division.
In Men’s Division Two, Palmerston’s Jonathan Farrar earned Best and Fairest honors with 11 votes from 4 matches. His teammate Broderick Church kicked 34 goals to claim the division's leading goal kicker award.
Finally, in Women’s Division Two, Jabiru Bombers’ Sasha Byrnes claimed her second Best and Fairest title after a stellar season with 10 votes. This follows her first award in the 2022/23 season, and she is now widely regarded as one of the league’s top performers.
The 2024/25 Road Safety NT Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Eliza Caldow from the PINT Football Club, in recognition of her success in assistance to the development of the Juniors at the Green ants. She was noted to spend countless hours organise teams, support coaches, and building a positive environment for players to develop.
The INPEX Senior Club of the year went to the Jabiru Bombers Football Club. Their continued investment into the development of their senior Men’s and Women’s sides has been recognised. Even with their travelling challenges, they were rewarded with their first Premiership in the TIO NTFL with their Men’s Division One side yesterday.
A full list of awards and winners at the 2024/25 Nichols Medal, presented by Cazalys Palmerston Club:
Nichols Medal
Brodie Filo, 21 votes – Nightcliff Tigers Football Club
Women’s Premier League Best and Fairest Medal
Jasmyn Hewett, 31 votes – PINT Football Club
Men’s Premier League Leading Goal Kicker
Jackson Calder, 56 goals – St Mary’s Football Club
Women’s Premier League Leading Goal Kicker
Cassie McWilliam, 36 goals – Nightcliff Tigers Football Club
NTFL Umpire of the Year
Jacob Port
NT News Men’s Rising Star
Sean Hunter – Nightcliff Tigers Football Club
NT News Women’s Rising Star
Shakaila Gardiner-Dunn – St Mary’s Football Club
Men’s Premier League Reserves (Mitch Lee Medal)
Jaise Coleman, 29 votes – Nightcliff Tigers Football Club
Men’s Premier League Reserves Leading Goal Kicker
Matthew Bricknell, 62 goals – Banks Bulldogs Football Club
Men’s Division 1 (Lancaster Medal)
Liam Read, 20 votes – Jabiru Bombers Football Club
Men’s Division 1 Leading Goal Kicker
Aidan McAdam, 21 goals – Jabiru Bombers Football Club
Men’s Division 2 Best and Fairest
Jonathan Farrer, 11 votes – Palmerston Football Club
Men’s Division 2 Leading Goal Kicker
Broderick Church, 34 goals – Palmerston Football Club
Women’s Division 1 Best and Fairest
Leah Reilly, 14 votes – Banks Bulldogs Football Club
Women’s Division 1 Leading Goal Kicker
Charlotte D’Ambrosio, 22 goals – Nightcliff Tigers Football Club
Women’s Division 2 Best and Fairest
Sasha Byrnes, 10 votes – Jabiru Bombers Football Club
Women’s Division 2 Leading Goal Kicker
Desiree Nadji, 15 goals – Jabiru Bombers Football Club
Towards Zero Volunteer of the Year
Eliza Caldow – PINT Football Club
Senior Club of the Year
Jabiru Bombers Football Club