One of the most important dates on the AFL talent calendar doesn’t take place under the bright lights of Darwin, but deep in West Arnhem Land, on the green oval of Gunbalanya.
Formerly known as Oenpelli, Gunbalanya, located 57 kilometres northeast on dirt road of Jabiru, plays host to the Under 15s West Arnhem Footy Carnival, an event that is a critical talent identification platform for the Northern Territory’s next generation of AFL players with other remote regional talent opportunities delivered by the AFL Northern Territory (AFLNT) Indigeous programs team.
Far from being just another carnival, the two-day event draws in teams from across the region, including Maningrida, Jabiru, Minjilang, and Warruwi. Young players aged 15 and under travel long distances, some by road, others by air, fuelled by passion and pride, all aiming for a coveted opportunity: selection in the annual Michael Long Cup, to be hosted in Darwin in August.
That carnival is a collaboration between AFLNT’s Indigenous Programs team who are committed to hosting place-based talent opportunities throughout the NT and the Cazalys NT Talent Academy’s remote pathways. It brings together the NT’s top 50 male and female athletes from throughout the NT for elite development and talent identification.
The West Arnhem Carnival is run in a fast-paced AFL 9s round-robin format, designed to spotlight the core attributes of Territory footy; speed, skill, and instinctive teamwork. The two best-performing teams then go head-to-head in a Grand Final clash that caps off the carnival in high-energy fashion.
This year’s final saw local favourites Gunbalanya upset a strong Maningrida outfit to claim the title, with the home crowd creating an electric atmosphere from the sidelines.
“These carnivals allow youth boys in the West Arnhem region to showcase their skills in a game-sense environment,” said Dale Eames, Head Coach of the Cazalys NT Talent Academy. “There’s a lot of skill and speed on display out there, which is exciting to watch.”
While the focus is on team success, the carnival also recognises individual excellence, with awards presented to the best and fairest player, as well as standout performers from each team.
The West Arnhem Footy Carnival is one of several regional events delivered by AFLNT Indigenous programs team, supported by the Cazalys NT Talent Academy and key partner organisations across the Territory, including in Central Australia, East Arnhem Land, Big Rivers, Tiwi Islands and the West Daly Region. The Academy, which launched its emerging talent initiative in 2024, now offers open trials for boys and girls in the Under 13, 14, and 15 age groups, feeding into selection for the Under 16 NT Squad.
The 2025 West Arnhem Under 15s Carnival was proudly supported by the Australian Sports Commission and the National Indigenous Australians Agency. AFL Northern Territory also extends thanks to the West Arnhem Regional Council and the Adjumarllarl Aboriginal Corporation for their support in delivering this important event.