AFL legends have eyes on NT community of Wadeye for future top tier talent

It's a footy mad northern Australian community that hasn't ever produced a top tier AFL player — but there's hopes that could soon change.

A group of AFL Northern Territory (AFLNT) officials and former and current AFL and AFLW players recently made the trek out to the Aboriginal community of Wadeye.

Based about 400 kilometres south-west of Darwin, it's one of the NT's biggest remote communities, with a population of around 2,000 people.

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti’s mother Jane McDonald and emerging Wadeye traditional owner Marita Perdjert. (ABC News: Matt Garrick)

Rose and Bruce Ninnal after winning a free football outside Wadeye’s shop. (ABC News: Matt Garrick )

Wadeye is so remote that its unpaved access road is often cut off for months every year, during the Top End's monsoon season.

But despite its remoteness, former players like former Essendon superstar and Tiwi Islander Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti have their sights set on Wadeye as a breeding ground for a future AFL great.

Anthony McDonald Tipungwuti visits Wadeye to inspire the community’s next generation of players. (ABC News: Matt Garrick )

"There's a lot of fresh talent, and you know, hopefully we'll get a couple of players that come out of Wadeye that will play AFL, that'd be great," McDonald-Tipungwuti said.

"Hopefully we can get one or two players from Wadeye that can go down south and try something different, and hopefully get drafted."

Wadeye youngster Graham Melpi loves his AFL. (ABC News: Matt Garrick )

With the efforts led by another former Essendon footballer, Shane Radbone, the group has been working to pinpoint Wadeye talent and help players find opportunities in southern states.

"Hopefully [we'll] create that pathway for a younger generation," said McDonald-Tipungwuti.

"You would've seen lotta kids kicking around with a footy and everything, and so, there's a bright future there for a few players, boys and girls."

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, centre, says he hopes Wadeye's local team will return to the field once again. (ABC News: Matt Garrick )

In 2024, Radbone assisted in facilitating up-and-coming Wadeye player Mathias Maloney to play some games with a regional South Australian football league.

"I just liked playing around, get a bit of experience," Maloney said of the opportunity.

Matthias Maloney was recently picked to compete in a regional South Australian football league. (ABC News: Matt Garrick )

While Wadeye does not have a community team in NT premier league the NTFL, it does have local teams that play against each other. (ABC News: Matt Garrick)

Plans to reignite Wadeye Magic team

As well as the long-term dream of seeing a Wadeye player kicking goals at the MCG, the AFLNT also has plans for the community that it hopes could be achievable in the foreseeable future.

There are talks underway to bring back a community team, Wadeye Magic, into NT premier league the NTFL — if not permanently, then at least for showpiece matches.

AFLNT Indigenous programs manager Cassidy Fitzclarence said it had been more than 10 years since Wadeye last fielded a proper team in the NTFL.

Cassidy Fitzclarence sees a bright future for football in Wadeye. (ABC News: Matt Garrick )

Wadeye also has women's football teams. (ABC News: Matt Garrick )

"It's a big logistical effort, and it's very difficult to join a big, established competition like the NTFL, but there's certainly opportunities for the Wadeye Magic to play against other teams, other communities, and get out of this region, which is really exciting," he said.

"It provides a great sense of hope for people, a great sense of joy and pride to see their family members playing footy and coming together.

"All the families coming together in one team is really positive."

Harold James Longmair wants to see the return of a top-grade NTFL team to his community. (ABC News: Matt Garrick )

When asked if the return of Wadeye Magic was a real prospect, McDonald-Tipungwuti said: "It'd be massive for the community … it'd be good to see Wadeye Magic [in 2025]".

Mr Fitzclarence was among the cohort that travelled out to Wadeye recently for the community's grand final carnival, and said he was impressed by the level of football.

"When people are in their home community and playing with their family, they show their best, they show their talent," he said.

"It's always very electric and very fast, and very exciting."

The recent Wadeye men's grand final between local teams the Dockers and the Suns was won in a nailbiter by the Dockers, who pipped their counterparts by three points at the final siren.

Players line up to take part in a cultural ceremony prior to the local Wadeye men's grand final. (ABC News: Matt Garrick )

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