The 2025 Tiwi Islands Football League season came to a dramatic conclusion in front of a capacity crowd at Stanley Tipiloura Oval in Wurrumiyanga, with the Muluwurri Magpies and Imalu Tigers crowned premiers in the women’s and men’s divisions, respectively. This year’s Grand Finals were staged alongside the Tiwi Islands Cultural Festival, an exciting collaboration between the TIFL, AFLNT, and the Tiwi Islands Land Council, offering a vibrant celebration for both locals and visitors.
The Muluwurri Magpies opened Grand Final day in style, producing a dominant performance to claim the women’s premiership over the Walama Bulldogs.
After a tense opening few minutes, Hilda Moreen broke the deadlock for Muluwurri four minutes in, before Freda Purunatameri doubled their advantage shortly after. Walama responded through their first major 11 minutes in, but a late goal to the Magpies saw them take a two-goal buffer into quarter time.
The Bulldogs sparked hopes of a comeback when Jelena Tipungwuti reduced the margin to six points early in the second quarter. However, the Magpies soon reasserted control, piling on three goals through Arthurina Moreen, Hilda Moreen, and Layla Cooper to stretch the lead to 26 points at the main break.
Walama had the better of the early third term, controlling possession and creating opportunities, before Reharnee Kantilla finally converted. But late goals to Raechel Puruntatameri and Martha Desantis undid the Bulldogs’ efforts and effectively ended the contest.
Fittingly, Hilda Moreen kicked the first goal of the final quarter, and Freda Purunatameri iced the game with the final two goals, sparking celebrations in the Muluwurri camp. Moreen finished with four goals in a best-on-ground display, while Arthurina Moreen was also superb, earning the Best on Ground Medal.
In the men’s Grand Final, the Imalu Tigers ended a 12-year premiership drought, defeating the Muluwurri Magpies in a pulsating encounter to lift the Maurice Rioli Cup.
The Magpies struck first through Robert Tipiloura just seconds into the match, before Kaleb Brogan-Rioli answered for the Tigers. A back-and-forth opening saw Cecil Puruntatameri-Dunn and Mitchel Geruola hit the scoreboard, but it was Nathias Miller who produced a moment of brilliance late in the quarter to give Imalu a two-goal buffer. However, Magpies duo Michael Lorenzo and Nicholas Daniels struck back to level the scores by quarter time.
Muluwurri surged in the second, with early goals to Timothy Babui, Justin Puruntatameri and John Tipiloura helping them edge ahead. Imalu clawed back through Jordan Bourke, and although Peter Simon and Cecil Puruntatameri narrowed the margin to one, a late goal to Geruola gave Muluwurri a seven-point lead at halftime.
But the Tigers wasted no time in the third. Brogan-Rioli reduced the margin to one within 20 seconds of the restart, and the Tigers began to dominate field position. Despite a steadying goal from Lorenzo, Imalu finally broke through with consecutive goals to take an 11-point advantage into the final change.
Cecil Puruntatameri extended the margin to 17 points early in the last quarter. While the Magpies mounted a late charge with three quick goals, the Tigers responded with two of their own to seal a 16-point win.
Supporters flooded the ground in celebration as the final siren sounded. Cecil Puruntatameri was the hero, finishing with seven goals in a commanding performance that earned him the Brother Pye Medal for best afield.
AFL Northern Territory would like to thank the Tiwi Islands Regional Council, Tiwi Islands Land Council, and all sponsors, volunteers, and committee members that have supported the 2025 TIFL Season.