McWilliams & Lacey Take Top Honours in 2025/26 NTFL Youth Presentation

AFL Northern Territory (AFLNT) and the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) are pleased to announce the winners of the Best and Fairest Awards and Leading Goal Kickers across the youth divisions for the 2025/26 TIO NTFL season. 

Following an action-packed home and away campaign, these awards recognise the outstanding young players who demonstrated exceptional skill, consistency, and determination throughout the season. 

After each match, field umpires allocated votes on a 3-2-1 basis to the best players on the ground. Votes were tallied at the conclusion of the home and away season to determine each division’s Best and Fairest medallist. To be eligible, players were required to have avoided any match suspension during the season. 

Leading goal kickers were determined by the highest number of goals recorded across the home and away season, with clubs submitting goal tallies following each match. 

Takeisha Belbin claimed the Best and Fairest with 23 votes, delivering an outstandingly consistent season. She polled in eight of a possible 10 matches, including seven best-on-ground performances. Ja’mea Ward secured the Leading Goal Kicker award with 22 goals from nine matches, highlighted by two five-goal performances in Rounds 2 and 12. 

Flora Hackenberg was awarded the Best and Fairest after a dominant start to the season, finishing with 14 votes. All of her votes were polled prior to the Christmas break, including four best-on-ground performances. Milan Eddy claimed the Leading Goal Kicker title with 20 goals, headlined by a seven-goal haul in Round 7. 

Xavier John joins notable names including Nakia Cockatoo, Jarrod Stokes, and Shaun Edwards in claiming the Lew Fatt Medal. John finished with 12 votes, polling in five of nine matches, including two best-on-ground performances. Teammate Cody Jackson was the division’s Leading Goal Kicker with 15 goals, including a standout five-goal performance in Round 7. 

Josh Roberts etched his name into the history books, becoming the first player in Gundersen Medal history to poll 30 votes in a single season and just the 10th junior player to reach the milestone. Roberts polled in every match, recording an extraordinary nine best-on-ground performances. Jed Fullbrook finished as Leading Goal Kicker with 25 goals, with four in Round 1 among his standout performances. 

Rose Randall delivered a consistently strong campaign to win the Best and Fairest with 19 votes, polling in seven of 12 matches, including four best-on-ground performances. Randall also completed a clean sweep, securing the Leading Goal Kicker award with 21 goals, including a season-high four goals in Round 12. 

In just her second NTFL season, Risma Puri claimed the Best and Fairest with 12 votes, polling in five of eight matches, including two best-on-ground efforts in Rounds 5 and 7. Bronte Bellot was named Leading Goal Kicker with 13 goals, including three in Round 10. 

Ryder Harvey joins past winners such as Steven Motlop, Aaron Davey, and Michael McLean in claiming the Hickman Medal. Harvey finished with 16 votes, polling in six of 10 matches, including four best-on-ground performances. Charlie Bryan secured the Leading Goal Kicker award with 23 goals, highlighted by five in Round 5. 

Harmony Lacey now stands alongside AFLW talents Danielle Ponter and Mattea Breed as a Best and Fairest winner, finishing with 13 votes. Lacey polled in five of 11 matches, including three best-on-ground performances. Teammate Amy Ward claimed the Leading Goal Kicker title with 25 goals, including two six-goal performances in Rounds 8 and 14. 

Aaron McWilliams follows in the footsteps of his brother Antony, claiming the prestigious Abala Medal after securing the Hickman Medal last season. McWilliams polled in six of seven matches, including three consecutive best-on-ground performances in Rounds 2, 3, and 4. Jalyn Priestly finished as Leading Goal Kicker with an impressive 38 goals, including two six-goal performances in Rounds 3 and 12. 

The 2025/26 Junior Umpire of the Year has been awarded to Jack Evans, recognising his exceptional dedication and contribution to the game both on and off the field. 

The INPEX Junior Club of the Year was awarded to PINT Football Club in recognition of its outstanding commitment to junior football. The award celebrates the club that best met nomination and performance criteria throughout the home and away season, including strong off-field operations, positive club culture, and E-Points accumulated across all junior grade teams. 

Head of AFL Northern Territory, Sam Gibson, said the 2025/26 season highlighted the continued growth and strength of junior football across the Territory. 

“Congratulations to all of our 2025/26 NTFL Youth Award winners. The talent, consistency and sportsmanship on display this season has been outstanding. 

With 2,600 junior participants - a 13 per cent increase on last year - and girls making up more than 40 per cent of all junior players, the highest percentage in the country, the future of our game in the Territory is incredibly strong. 

Across 125 junior teams and more than 750 games played at 18 venues, this competition simply wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our clubs, coaches, volunteers, umpires and families. 

We remain focused on ensuring our competitions are fair, safe and fun, while providing meaningful opportunities and strong talent pathways for every young Territorian. It’s a privilege to be part of a sport that means so much to so many people.”