After a comprehensive review and extensive consultation with Premier League clubs, AFL Northern Territory (AFLNT) has endorsed a number of by-law changes ahead of the upcoming 2025/26 TIO NTFL season.
The adjustments aim to improve competitive balance across the TIO NTFL, simplify administrative processes, and ensure greater financial accountability across the competition.
The newly introduced tiered model now applies across both the Men’s and Women’s Premier League, giving developing clubs greater capacity to build stronger lists, while maintaining the ability for all clubs to drive high-quality programs.
Leigh Elder, AFLNT Community Football Manager, said the changes were designed with both fairness and sustainability in mind. “We are always looking at ways to improve the competition, and that includes regularly re-evaluating how the TIO NTFL operates,”
“The TIO NTFL has grown significantly in recent years - we’ve seen more than 50% increase in participation since 2019, which is a testament to the strength and appeal of Territory football,”
“With that growth comes the responsibility to ensure the competition remains fair, balanced, and sustainable for all clubs. These by-law changes reflect the feedback we’ve received and the realities our clubs face. They’re about simplifying administration, supporting volunteers, helping every club feel empowered to compete and build towards a successful future.”
Key Changes to TIO NTFL By-Laws:
Fly-In Players (By-Law 3.13)
Previous restrictions on fly-in players have been removed following strong feedback from clubs that monitoring and enforcing residential status was increasingly challenging. This change aims to simplify the system and better reflect the way clubs manage both local and interstate talent during the TIO NTFL season.
Importantly, the Total Player Points System remains in place in a revised format and continues to act as a safeguard to maintain competitive balance across the competition.
Relocation Concessions (By-Law 3.12.14)
The previous player points concessions for players relocating to the NT will no longer apply, supporting a simpler and more transparent points system.
Financial Compliance (By-Law 3.12)
New measures will ensure all clubs meet financial trading terms with AFLNT, strengthening long-term stability and good governance across the TIO NTFL.
Total Player Points Allocations (By-Law 3.12.5)
With relocation concessions removed, clubs will benefit from higher Total Player Points.
The highest ranked teams, calculated across the final ladder positions of the previous 3 seasons, will have an increased allocation of 10 points per game. The teams in the middle tier of performance, will have an increased allocation of 18 points per game. The teams in the lower tier of performance over the previous 3 seasons will have an increased allocation of 20 points per game (to 40).
The same formula for Total Points Allocation will now also apply to Women’s Premier League. The greater range of points allocations across the tiers is aimed at providing recently poorer performing teams with greater opportunity to improve their playing lists, with the intended flow-on effect of enhancing overall squad depth across their club.
Allocations based on performance over the past three seasons:
Top tier clubs: 26 points per game
Middle tier clubs: 36 points per game
Lower tier clubs: 40 points per game
5.2 Player Eligibility for NTFL finals matches
To qualify for Men’s and Women’s Premier League finals, players must now participate in at least six (6) minor round matches across their club’s top two senior grades and/or Under 17.5. Finals eligibility rules for other senior grades remain unchanged.
Discontinuation of Relocation-Based Points Reductions (By-Law 3.12.9)
Plans to introduce points reductions for relocated players who did not participate interstate will no longer apply. AFLNT believes the revised total points allocations provide sufficient flexibility without the need for additional exemptions.
Local Transfers (By-Law 3.12.10)
The NTFL Local Transfer rule has been updated, the revised rule aims to protect club integrity while maintaining fair and consistent player movement across NTFL clubs.
AFLNT would like to thank all clubs for their valuable input and collaboration during the review process. These changes represent an important step forward for the TIO NTFL competition, reinforcing its position as a strong, competitive, and community-driven league.