Teams Announced Ahead Of 2025 Michael Long Cup

AFL Northern Territory and the Cazalys NT Talent Academy have unveiled the 100 rising stars set to converge on Darwin for this year’s Michael Long Cup, a marquee event in the Territory’s football development calendar.  

Recognised as a vital talent identification program for under-15 athletes, the Cup will feature 50 boys and 50 girls selected from across the Northern Territory. Participants will be divided into teams named after trailblazing figures in the AFL and AFLW, reflecting the pathways they are striving to follow.  

The squad selection followed months of regional talent scouting by both AFLNT’s Indigenous Programs staff and Talent Academy personnel, who attended carnivals across the Tiwi Islands, Arnhem Land, West Daly, Barkly and Central Australia. In addition to live scouting, the Academy’s Emerging Talent program played a key role in identifying promising athletes.  

The week-long, camp-style experience will offer far more than just match play. Players will take part in a broad range of activities including skill development workshops, gym technique sessions and educational modules. They’ll also be introduced to the Cazalys NT Talent Academy’s core values, training standards and expectations, helping to build both the physical and mental tools required for future success.  

The teams, named in honour of Northern Territory AFL and AFLW draftees, pay tribute to Matt Campbell, Steven May, J’Noemi Anderson, and Mattea Breed for their achievements and their role in inspiring the next generation of footballers across their communities. Following the matches, each team will nominate a most valuable player.  

The Michael Long Cup continues to be a pivotal stepping stone for young Territory talent as they begin their high-performance journey.  

All matches will be streamed live on the AFLNT YouTube Channel with free entry via the Bonson gate.  

Full Fixture:  

Team Breed v Team Anderson – Friday, August 22, 4:00pm  

Team May v Team Campbell – Friday, August 22, 5:30pm  

Team Campbell v Team May – Saturday, August 23, 4:00pm  

Team Anderson v Team Breed – Saturday, August 23, 5:45pm  

Full Team Lists:  

Team Anderson:  

Team Breed:  

Team Campbell:  

Team May: