The Big Rivers Football League (formerly the Katherine District Football League) is an Australian rules football competition in the Northern Territory, Australia based in the Katherine region. It was formed after the dissolution of Katherine Kangaroos of the NTFL in 1987. It is an affiliate league of AFL Northern Territory, who administer the competition. It consists of 9 clubs, of which 2 are currently women's only, being Eastside FC and Katherine South (both having men's teams in previous seasons). The Men's best and fairest medal is currently named after local Katherine football legend Doug Kelly.
It consists of 1 Senior Men's (5 teams), 1 Senior Women's Division (6 teams) and a Men's Cup competition (3 teams) in the 2026 season. Katherine River Saints and Northern Warlpiri Mozzies (formerly Swans) have joined the senior women's division for the 2026 season. Most games are played at the Katherine Showgrounds, with the exception of a few games where teams get home community games or when the Showgrounds aren't available for use. Other grounds used for games in 2026 included Adrian McDonald Memorial Oval (Kalano), Tindal Oval, and Phyliss Winjorrotj (Barunga) Oval. Yearly Friday night showcase games are held at Barunga Festival between Arnhem Crows and another opponent for both Men and Women divisions. Grand Finals are a big event in Katherine, often drawing over 1000 spectators and both men's and women's grand finals are broadcast live on the AFLNTv YouTube channel.
The start of the 2026 season was delayed by two weeks due to the March 2026 Katherine Floods, which affected the Katherine Showgrounds and Adrian McDonald Memorial (Kalano) ovals.
Current clubs
Men ClubColoursNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEst.Years in BRFLBRFL Senior Mens PremiershipsBRFL B-Grade/Reserves Premierships Total YearsTotalYears Arnhem Phyliss Winjorrotj Oval, Barunga – 1995 1995, 2001–2015, 2019– 6 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2011Arnhem Crows – Australian Football0 - Garrak Bombers Adrian McDonald Memorial Oval, Katherine – 1988 0 -12008 Katherine Camels Katherine Showgrounds, Katherine–2010 2011– 5 2012,Katherine Camels – Australian Football 2019, 2022, 2024, 202512012 Katherine River Saints Katherine Showgrounds, Katherine – 2025 2025– 0-N/AN/A Northern Warlpiri Mozzies Lajamanu Oval, Lajamanu –1991 1992, 1995–1997, 2002–2017, 2019– 2 2005, 2008Lajamanu – Australian FootballSee Men's CupSee Men's Cup
Women ClubColoursNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEst.Years in BRFL (Women's Division)BRFL Womens Premierships Total Years Arnhem Crows Phyliss Winjorrotj Oval, Barunga – 2001 2020– 5 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025 Eastside Blues Katherine Showgrounds, Katherine – 1988Eastside to build off last season's success from Katherine Times By Samantha Campbell 28 March 2022 2018– 3 2018, 2019 2022 Katherine Camels Katherine Showgrounds, Katherine – 2010 2018–2022, 2024– 0 - Katherine River Saints Katherine Showgrounds, Katherine – 2025 2026– 0- Katherine South Crocs Katherine Showgrounds, Katherine – 1990 2018– 0- Northern Warlpiri Mozzies Lajamanu Oval, Lajamanu– 1991 2026– 0 –
Men's Cup ClubColoursNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEst.Years in BRFLBRFL B-Grade Premierships Total Years Gurindji Eagles Michael Jarparta Paddy Football Oval, Kalkarindji KFL1995 1995–1996, 1998–2003, 2006–2009, 2014–2017, 2021, 2024– 1 2017 Gurindji – Australian Football Jilkminggan Blues Jilkminggan Oval, Jilkminggan – 2001 2001–2003, 2007–2015, 2017, 2021, 2026– 2 2009, 2026 Northern Warlpiri (reserves side) Mozzies Lajamanu Oval, Lajamanu –1991 2026– 3 1994/95, 1996/97, 2016
Men's sides in recess ClubColoursNicknameHome GroundEst.Years in BRFLBRFL Senior Mens PremiershipsBRFL B-Grade/Reserves PremiershipsFateTotal YearsTotalYearsEastside Blues (Formerly Rowlands FC) Katherine Showgrounds, Katherine 19881989–2004, 2011–2019, 2021–91989/90, 1990/91, 1993/94, 1998/99, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017Eastside – Australian Football11999/00In recess since 2024 season Katherine South Crocs Katherine Showgrounds, Katherine South 1990's 1991–2004, 2017–20239 1991/92, 1992/93, 1994/95, 1995/96, 1996/97, 1997/98, 2018,Katherine South – Australian Football 2020, 20210 -In recess since 2023 season
Women's sides in recess ClubColoursNicknameHome GroundEst.Years in BRFLBRFL Senior Womens PremiershipsFateTotal YearsGarrak Bombers Adrian McDonald Memorial Oval, Katherine 1980's20220-In recess since 2022 season
Former clubs ClubColoursNicknameHome groundEst.Years in BRFLBRFL Premierships (A-Grade/B-Grade Men's and Senior Women's)FateNoteTotal YearsBarungaEaglesBarunga Oval, Barunga1989–1995, 20080 –FoldedFoundational league clubBeswickHawksWugularr201720170 –Folded Beswick Bears Wugularr 2009Beswick Bears – Australian Football 1 (A-Grade) 2010Folded after 2019 seasonBinjariSaintsBinjari2010, 20210 –Folded Borroloola Thunders Borroloola Oval, Borroloola20212025 0 – Folded Played one season in BAFL in 2021Buccaneers BucsKatherine1999–20030 –FoldedWas a locally based construction companyhttps://www.afr.com/companies/small-but-fast-moving-19991126-kb4psDagaraguDaguragu1993 (?)1993/94-2001(?)2 (B-Grade)1993/94, 2001FoldedPotentially folded into GurindjiDaly RiverBuffaloesNauiyu Oval, Nauiyu20222021–20230 –FoldedStill play in festivals and one-off practice matchesEast ArnhemEast Arnhem1999–20000 –FoldedKatherineKannonsKatherine Showgrounds, Katherine20062006–20100 –Merged with Katherine Roos to form Katherine Camels after 2010 seasonKatherineRoosKatherine Showgrounds, Katherine20092009–20100 –Merged with Katherine Kannons to form Katherine Camels after 2010 season Kirby's Agents/Katherine Hawks Katherine 1988 1989–20021 (A-Grade) 1988/89FoldedNamed after Kirby's Katherine Hotel, foundational league club Ngaliwurru Lions Max Duncan Memorial Oval, Timber Creek 2023 2025 0 –FoldedRelated to Victoria River Lions Ngukurr Bulldogs Ngukurr Oval, Ngukurr 1993 1994–2015, 2020–20254 (A-Grade)2000, 2004, 2007, 2023Withdrew from competition for 2026 seasonPlayed in Barunga Festival in 2026NumbulwarLightningNumbulwar2008–20090 –Folded Tindal Magpies Tindal Oval, RAAF Base Tindal 1989Tindal – Australian Football 1989–20213 (B-Grade)2002, 2003, 2010Folded after 2021 seasonWas made up of members of RAAF Base Tindal, foundational league clubVictoria RiverLionsTimber Creek1998–19992 (B-Grade) 1997/98, 1998/99FoldedRelated to Ngaliwurru Lions Waliburru Thunder Minyerri 2016–20170-FoldedYarralinYarralin1995–1997, 2002–20030 –FoldedYugalPower Ngukurr 20002000–2003 0 –Folded
Premierships (Mens) 1988/89 Kirby's Agents 1989/90 Rowlands 1990/91 Eastside (* Formerly known as Rowlands FC) 1991/92 Katherine South 1992/93 Katherine South 1993/94 Eastside 1994/95 Katherine South ^ 1995/96 Katherine South 1996/97 Katherine South 1997/98 Katherine South 1998/99 Eastside 2000 Ngukurr 2001 Arnhem Bombers 2002 Arnhem Crows 2003 Arnhem Crows 2004 Ngukurr 2005 Lajamanu 2006 Arnhem Crows 2007 Ngukurr 2008 Lajamanu 2009 Arnhem Crows 2010 Beswick 2011 Arnhem Crows 2012 Katherine Camels 2013 Eastside FC 2014 Eastside FC 2015 Eastside FC 2016 Eastside FC 2017 Eastside FC 2018 Katherine South 2019 Katherine Camels 2020 Katherine South 2021 Katherine South 2022 Katherine Camels 2023 Ngukurr 2024 Katherine Camels 2025 Katherine Camels
^Replayed GF due to draw
Premierships (Women's) 2018 Eastside 2019 Eastside 2020 Arnhem Crows 2021 Arnhem Crows 2022 Eastside 2023 Arnhem Crows 2024 Arnhem Crows 2025 Arnhem Crows
2011 Ladder Big Rivers AFL Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Beswick Bears 12 0 2 0 1486 554 268.23% 48 Arnhem Crows 11 0 3 0 1213 765 158.56% 44 Ngukurr Bulldogs 11 0 3 0 1216 780 155.90% 44 Katherine Camels 8 0 6 0 949 802 118.33% 32 Eastside 6 0 8 0 876 1076 81.41% 24 Lajamanu Swans 5 0 9 0 899 900 99.89% 20 Tindal Magpies 2 0 12 0 611 1418 43.09% 8 Jikminggan Blues 1 0 13 0 459 1414 32.46% 4
FINALS
Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts 1st Semi Ngukurr Bulldogs 14 9 93 Katherine Camels 11 4 70 2nd Semi Arnhem Crows 17 7 109 Beswick Bears 9 10 64 Preliminary Ngukurr Bulldogs 11 7 73 Beswick Bears 10 11 71 Grand Arnhem Crows 14 8 92 Ngukurr Bulldogs 12 6 78
2012 Ladder Big Rivers AFL Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Katherine Camels 13 0 1 0 1280 656 195.12% 52 Ngukurr Bulldogs 11 0 3 0 1264 694 182.13% 44 Beswick Bears 11 0 3 0 1357 760 178.55% 44 Eastside 7 0 7 0 896 996 89.96% 28 Jikminggan Blues 6 0 8 0 908 1125 80.71% 24 Kalano Bombers 5 0 9 0 928 1229 75.51% 20 Tindal Magpies 4 0 5 0 576 630 91.43% 16 Lajamanu Swans 2 0 7 0 271 466 58.15% 8
FINALS
Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts 1st Semi Katherine Camels 10 19 79 Ngukurr Bulldogs 9 11 65 2nd Semi Beswick Bears 15 2 92 Eastside 14 7 91 Preliminary Ngukurr Bulldogs 14 18 102 Beswick Bears 7 6 48 Grand Katherine Camels 14 6 90 Ngukurr Bulldogs 4 6 30
2023 Men's Ladder Big Rivers Football League Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Ngukurr Bulldogs 12 1 2 0 1105 586 188.57% 86 Eastside FC 12 1 2 0 1251 829 150.90% 81 Katherine South 8 1 6 0 1070 1044 102.49% 69 Katherine Camels 7 1 6 0 927 880 105.34% 62 Arnhem Crows 7 1 7 0 1012 920 110.00% 57 Daly River Buffaloes 6 1 7 0 1069 979 109.19% 52 Northern Warlpiri Swans 3 1 6 0 702 1036 67.76% 42 Garrak Bombers 0 1 11 0 434 1296 33.49% 39
FINALS
Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts 1st Semi Katherine South 8 10 58 Katherine Camels 7 5 47 2nd Semi Ngukurr Bulldogs 17 12 114 Eastside 9 9 63 Preliminary Eastside 7 8 50 Katherine South 12 11 83 Grand Ngukurr Bulldogs 14 10 94 Katherine South 9 4 58
2024 Men's Ladder Big Rivers Football League Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Katherine Camels 9 1 1 0 978 328 298.17% 76 Ngukurr Bulldogs 7 2 1 0 982 411 238.93% 64 Arnhem Crows 8 1 2 0 830 606 136.96% 68 Northern Warlpiri Swans 3 2 5 0 560 575 97.39% 50 Garrak Bombers 3 2 6 0 482 940 51.28% 41 Gurindji Eagles 1 2 7 0 379 823 46.05% 34 Eastside FC 1 1 8 0 371 899 41.27% 35
FINALS
Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts 1st Semi Arnhem Crows 12 13 85 Northern Warlpiri Swans 6 5 41 2nd Semi Katherine Camels 13 6 84 Ngukurr Bulldogs 6 7 43 Preliminary Ngukurr Bulldogs 10 10 70 Arnhem Crows 10 8 68 Grand Katherine Camels 13 9 87 Ngukurr Bulldogs 11 4 70
2025 Men's Ladder Big Rivers Football League Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % PtsForfeits Katherine Camels 10 5 1 0 1071 442 242.31% 83 0 Arnhem Crows 10 4 2 0 1067 539 197.96% 85 0 Garrak Bombers 8 4 4 0 880 871 101.03% 81 0 Ngukurr Bulldogs 9 4 4 0 1065 595 178.99% 80 0 Katherine River Saints 5 5 7 0 678 807 84.01% 66 0 Northern Warlpiri Swans 5 4 6 0 919 811 113.32% 59 2 Borroloola Thunders 4 5 5 0 448 701 63.91% 47 3 Gurindji Eagles 3 5 5 0 436 812 53.69% 40 4 Ngaliwurru Lions 1 5 7 0 257 1243 20.68% 35 4
FINALS
Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts 1st Semi Garrak Bombers 14 4 88 Ngukurr Bulldogs 14 13 97 2nd Semi Katherine Camels 12 11 83 Arnhem Crows 10 6 66 Preliminary Arnhem Crows 10 5 65 Ngukurr Bulldogs 15 12 102 Grand Katherine Camels 10 13 73 Ngukurr Bulldogs 8 6 54
Notable former and current players Ashanti Bush, former Gold Coast Suns AFLW, Hawthorn Hawks VFLW and NT Thunder player. Currently plays for Arnhem Crows,Wanderers in the (NTFL) and AFL Cairns side South Cairns Cutters. Doug Kelly, former Wanderers and Katherine Kangaroos (NTFL) player, nicknamed Mr 'Top End Footy'https://www.katherinetimes.com.au/story/1120986/mr-top-end-footy-introduced-to-hall-of-fame/. Played in BRFL for Eastside Liam Patrick, former Gold Coast Suns AFL and Wanderers (NTFL) player, nicknamed 'The Lajamanu Lightning Bolt'. Played in BRFL for Lajamanu Swans (Northern Warlpiri Mozzies). Relton Roberts, former Richmond Tigers AFL and Wanderers (NTFL) player. Played in BRFL for Arnhem Crows.
See also AFL Northern Territory Northern Territory Football League Australian rules football in the Northern Territory
References
External links