THE Tiwi Islands, comprising Bathurst and Melville islands in the Arafura/Timor Sea, 80kms north of Darwin, are Aboriginal-owned and administered land ... and footy country.
Football's beginnings on the islands date back to the early 1930s. Official records of the Tiwi Islands Football League (Tiwi Nguilla Football League up to 1990) begin from the 1969/70 season (footy in these parts is played during the northern 'wet' season: October through to March/April). In recent times, there have been up to eight clubs. Our stats and records begin from that first season.
Clubs
Imalu Football Club (Tigers)
Melville Island Football Club (Kangaroos)
Muluwurri Football Club (prev. Taracumbi) (Magpie Geese)
Pumaralli Football Club (Thunder and Lightning)
Ranku Football Club (Eagles)
Tapalinga Football Club (Super Stars) (prev. Hawks)
Tuyu Football Club (Buffaloes)
Walama Football Club (prev. Irrimaru) (Bulldogs)
Former Clubs
Nguiu Football Club (Lions)
Warankuwu Football Club
Premierships
17 Imalu
10 Tapalinga
6 Pumaralli
5 Tuyu
2 Walama
1 Muluwurri
1 Ranku
0 Nguiu
Grand Final scores
1969/70 Tapalinga def. Pumaralli (scores not known)
1970/71 Irrimaru 15.6 (96) def. Pumaralli 9.14 (68)
1972/73 Imalu def. Tapalinga by 55 points (scores not known)
1973/74 Imalu 12.8 (80) def. Pumaralli 8.5 (53)
1974/75 Tuyu 11.8 (74) def. Imalu 10.13 (73)
1975/76 Pumaralli 13.16 (94) def. Tuyu 8.12 (60)
1976/77 Tapalinga 12.6 (78) def. Pumaralli 10.9 (69)
1977/78 Pumaralli 14.15 (99) def. Imalu 10.9 (69)
1978/79 Imalu 25.15 (165) def. Tapalinga 2.3 (15)
1979/80 Pumaralli 10.16 (76) def. Taracumbi 7.10 (52)
1980/81 Imalu 12.12 (84) def. Pumaralli 12.7 (79)
1981/82 Imalu 20.8 (128) def. Tapalinga 8.18 (66)
1982/83 Tapalinga 18.17 (125) def. Pumaralli 19.5 (119)
1983/84 Imalu 16.13 (109) def. Tapalinga 15.16 (106)
1984/85 Imalu 14.10 (94) def. Irrimaru 7.13 (55)
1985/86 Imalu 21.3 (129), Tapalinga 19.15 (129) DRAW
1985/86 Tapalinga 24.12 (156) def. Imalu 22.3 (135) REPLAY
1986/87 Tapalinga 22.7 (139) def. Pumaralli 16.13 (109)
1987/88 Tapalinga 18.13 (121) def. Imalu 14.14 (98)
1988/89 Imalu 18.9 (117) def. Taracumbi 11.17 (83)
1989/90 Imalu 23.22 (160) def. Taracumbi 14.11 (95)
1990/91 Tapalinga 14.9 (93) def. Imalu 12.8 (80)
1991/92 Imalu 19.5 (119) def. Tuyu 12.10 (82)
1992/93 Imalu 15.8 (98) def. Irrimaru 9.11 (65)
1993/94 Imalu 22.25 (157) def. Tuyu 14.5 (89)
1994/95 Tuyu 15.12 (102) def. Irrimaru 11.11 (77)
1995/96 Imalu 17.9 (111) def. Tuyu 10.12 (72)
1996/97 Irrimaru 13.6 (84) def. Imalu 12.6 (78)
1997/98 Tapalinga 17.7 (109) def. Pumaralli 11.5 (71)
1998/99 Imalu 9.8 (62) def. Ranku 3.6 (24)
1999/00 Pumaralli 8.6 (54) def. Tuyu 6.12 (48)
2000/01 Ranku 12.7 (79) def. Taracumbi 9.7 (61)
2001/02 Tuyu 7.8 (50) def. Tapalinga 6.6 (42)
2002/03 Pumaralli 11.10 (76) def. Muluwurri 7.10 (52)
2003/04 Tapalinga 10.10 (70) def. Imalu 9.6 (60)
2004/05 Tuyu 12.9 (81) def. Muluwurri 10.3 (63)
2005/06 Pumaralli 7.7 (49) def. Muluwurri 6.8 (44)
2006/07 Muluwurri 25.6 (156) def. Imalu 12.4 (76)
2007/08 Imalu 12.9 (81) def. Tapalinga 10.8 (68)
2008/09 Tapalinga 12.9 (81) def. Imalu 11.7 (73)
2009/10 Tapalinga 9.15 (69) def. Imalu 4.6 (30)
2010/11 Imalu 13.10 (88) def. Ranku 6.7 (43)
2011/12 Tuyu 12.12 (84) def. Imalu 11.5 (71).
Brother John Pye Award (Best-on-Ground in Grand Finals)
1971/72 Philip PATLIS (Pumaralli)
1972/73 Henry Paul KERINAIUA (Tapalinga)
1973/74 Antonio TIPILOURA (Pumaralli)
1974/75 Giovani TIPUNGWUTI (Tuyu)
1975/76 Antonio TIPILOURA (Pumaralli)
1976/77 Jules KERINAIUA (Tapalinga)
1977/78 Hughie Paul KERINAIUA (Pumaralli)
1978/79 Osmond MACKAY (Imalu)
1979/80 Pat KANTILLA (Pumaralli)
1980/81 John RIOLI (Imalu)
1981/82 Patrick PURUNTATAMERI (Imalu)
1982/83 Nilas KERINAIUA (Tapalinga)
1983/84 Patrick PURUNTATAMERI (Imalu)
1984/85 Marcellino TIPUNGWUTI (Irrimaru)
1985/86 Kim PURUNTATAMERI (Tapalinga) DRAWN MATCH
1985/86 Bernard John BABUI (Tapalinga) REPLAY
1986/87 Nilas KERINAIUA (Tapalinga)
1987/88 James PUANTULURA (Tapalinga)
1988/89 Cameron ROSS (Imalu)
1989/90 Henry DUNN (Imalu)
1990/91 Adam KERINAIUA (Tapalinga)
1991/92 Cecil PURUNTATAMERI (Imalu)
1992/93 D. TIPUNGWUTI (Irrimaru)
1993/94 Marius PURUNTATAMERI jnr (Imalu)
1994/95 Brian PILAKUI (Irrimaru)
1995/96 Graham PURUNTATAMERI (Imalu)
1996/97 Ephrem TIPUNGWUTI (Irrimaru)
1997/98 Andrew KERINAIUA (Tapalinga)
1998/99 Pascal TIPUNGWUTI (Imalu)
1999/00 Timothy PALIPUAMINNI (Pumaralli)
2000/01 Valentine PUAUTJMINI (Ranku)
2001/02 Paul JOHNSON (Tapalinga)
2002/03 Gilbert ALIMANKINNI (Pumaralli)
2003/04 Robert CUNNINGHAM (Tapalinga)
2004/05 Romeo ULLUNGURA (Tuyu)
2005/06 Shane KERINAUIA (Pumaralli)
2006/07 Thomas SIMON (Muluwurri)
2007/08 Pascal TIPUNGWUTI (Imalu)
2008/09 Brad PALIPUAMINNI (Tapalinga)
2009/10 Andrew PUAUTJIM jnr (Tapalinga)
2010/11 Alex PURUNTATAMERI (Imalu)
2011/12 Joseph BOURKE (Imalu)
Most Goals in Grand Finals
9 John CUSACK (Imalu) 1978/79
9 Sibby RIOLI (Imalu) 1985/86 DRAWN MATCH
9 Sibby RIOLI (Imalu) 1985/86 REPLAY
7 Kim PURUNTATAMERI (Tapalinga) 1985/86 DRAWN MATCH
7 Lorenzo KERINAIUA (Tapalinga) 1985/86 DRAWN MATCH
6 Osmond MACKAY (Imalu) 1978/79
6 Danny MUNKARA (Pumaralli) 1980/81
6 Patrick PURUNTATAMERI (Imalu) 1984/85
6 Osmond MACKAY (Imalu) 1985/86 DRAWN MATCH
6 Lorenzo KERINAIUA (Tapalinga) 1985/86 REPLAY
6 Kim PURUNTATAMERI (Tapalinga) 1986/87
6 Cadji DUNN (Imalu) 1991/92
6 Graham PURUNTATAMERI (Imalu) 1992/93
6 Francis X. PURUNTATAMERI (Tuyu) 1993/94
5 Pius TIPUNGWUTI (Imalu) 1973/74
5 Charles TIPUNGWUTI (Pumaralli) 1975/76
5 Osmond MACKAY (Imalu) 1978/79
5 Patrick PURUNTATAMERI (Imalu) 1983/84
5 Kim PURUNTATAMERI (Tapalinga) 1985/86 DRAWN MATCH
5 Lorenzo KERINAIUA (Tapalinga) 1986/87
5 Nelson MUNGATOPI (Tapalinga) 1987/88
5 Lorenzo KERINAIUA (Tapalinga) 1986/87
5 Dennis TIPAKALIPA (Imalu) 1993/94
5 Shane KERINAIUA (Pumaralli) 2005/06
Ted "Mr Football" Whitten Medallist (Best and Fairest)
1969/70 Michael Phillip BABUI (Tapalinga)
1970/71 Walter KERINAIUA (Tuyu)
1971/72 Januarius PUANTULURA (Tapalinga)
1972/73 John Bosco TIPILOURA (Irrimaru)
1973/74 Hughie KERINAIUA (Tapalinga)
1974/75 Marius PURUNTATAMERI (Imalu)
1975/76 Hughie KERINAIUA (Tapalinga)
1976/77 Hughie KERINAIUA (Tapalinga)
1977/78 Ian Joseph KERINAIUA (Tuyu)
1978/79 Bruno PILAKUI (Irrimaru)
1979/80 Savio TIMAEPATUA (Tuyu)
1980/81 Teddy PORTAMINNI (Irrimaru)
1981/82 Vivian KERINAIUA (Tuyu)
1982/83 Vivian KERINAIUA (Tuyu)
1983/84 Bruno PILAKUI (Taracumbi)
1984/85 Mark Virgil PUAUTJIMI (Pumaralli)
1985/86 Bruno PILAKUI (Taracumbi)
1986/87 Vivian KERINAIUA (Tuyu)
1987/88 Marcellino TIPUNGWUTI (Irrimaru)
1988/89 Paul Raphael TIPUNGWUTI (Irrimaru)
1989/90 Bonaventure TIMAEPATUA (Tuyu)
1990/91 Brendan HIGGINS (Irrimaru)
1991/92 Timothy PUPANGMIRRI (Tuyu)
1992/93 Lawrence WARLAPINNI (Pumaralli) TIED WITH...
1992/93 Douglas TIPUNGWUTI (Irrimaru)
1993/94 Emmanuel TIPUNGWUTI (Irrimaru)
1994/95 Graham PURUNTATAMERI (Imalu)
1995/96 Marius PURUNTATAMERI jnr (Pumaralli)
1996/97 Sebastian TIPUNGWUTI (Irrimaru)
1997/98 Graham PURUNTATAMERI (Tapalinga)
1998/99 Nathan PILAKUI (Tapalinga)
1999/00 Nathan PILAKUI (Tapalinga)
2000/01 Valentine PUAUTJIMI (Ranku)
2001/02 Paul JOHNSON (Tapalinga)
2002/03 Freddie PURUNTATAMERI (Pumaralli) TIED WITH...
2002/03 Ephrem TIPUNGWUTI (Tapalinga)
2003/04 Noel GALARLA (Imalu)
2004/05 Rupert PUPANGMIRRI (Tuyu)
2005/06 David KANTILLA jnr (Irrimaru)
2006/07 John-Paul KELANTUMAMA (Walama)
2007/08 Cameron KERINAIUA (Tuyu)
2008/09 no award
2009/10 Nathan DANIEL (Muluwurri) TIED WITH...
2009/10 Mitchell PUNATULURA (Walama)
2010/11 Roy FARMER (Muluwurri)
2011/12 Allan DANIELS (Muluwurri)
David Kantilla Medallist (Leading Goalkicker)
1971/72 Richard MILLER (Taracumbi) 42 goals
1972/73 Leon PURUNTATAMERI (Taracumbi) 51
1973/74 Richard MILLER (Taracumbi) 41
1974/75 Baylon TIPUNGWUTI (Imalu) 51
1975/76 Andre PUAUTJIMI (Tapalinga) 39
1976/77 Osmond MACKAY (Imalu) 36
1977/78 Danny MUNKARA (Taracumbi) 42
1978/79 Osmond MACKAY (Imalu) 50
1979/80 Osmond MACKAY (Imalu) 52
1980/81 Jules KERINAIUA (Tapalinga) 60
1981/82 Lorenzo KERINAIUA (Tapalinga) 75
1982/83 Kim PURUNTATAMERI (Tapalinga) 79
1983/84 Sebastian RIOLI (Imalu) 72
1984/85 Kim PURUNTATAMERI (Tapalinga) 79
1985/86 Greg ORSTO (Taracumbi) 53
1986/87 Kim PURUNTATAMERI (Tapalinga) 55
1987/88 Emmanuel RIOLI (Imalu) 96
1988/89 Lorenzo KERINAIUA (Tapalinga) 102
1989/90 Lorenzo KERINAIUA (Tapalinga) 70
1990/91 Lorenzo KERINAIUA (Tapalinga) 70
1991/92 Murray DANIELS (Taracumbi) 85
1992/93 Greg ORSTO (Taracumbi) 53
1993/94 Greg ORSTO (Taracumbi) 78
1994/95 Paul R. TIPUNGWUTI (Irrimaru) 75
1995/96 Gawin TIPILOURA (Pumaralli) 78
1996/97 Gawin TIPILOURA (Pumaralli) 112
1997/98 Charlie PORTAMINNI (Pumaralli) 57
1998/99 Emmanuel TIPUNGWUTI (Tapalinga) 48
1999/00 Shane KERINAIUA (Taracumbi) 77
2000/01 Valentine PUAUTJIMI (Ranku) 101
2001/02 Gilbert ALIMANKINNI (Pumaralli) 70
2002/03 Leo ORSTO (Tuyu) 46
2003/04 Shane KERINAIUA (Pumaralli) 124
2004/05 Shane KERINAIUA (Pumaralli) 100
2005/06 Joseph KANTILLA (Pumaralli) 78
2006/07 Daniel STASSI (Muluwurri) 71
2007/08 Shane KERINAIUA (Tuyu) 52
2008/09 no award
2009/10 Nathan DANIEL (Imalu) 57
2010/11 David KANTILLA (Imalu) 75
2011/12 John KALANTUMAMA (Pumaralli) 68
Mitchell Lee Memorial Shield (Best First-Year Player)
1988/89 Lionel DULLA (Irrimaru)
1989/90 Paul R TIPUNGWUTI (Irrimaru)
1990/91 Emmanuel TIPUNGWUTI (Irrimaru)
1991/92 Dion DANIELS (Taracumbi)
1992/93 Graham PURUNTATAMERI (Imalu)
1993/94 Neil BLACK (Taracumbi)
1994/95 Robert MUNKARA (Ranku)
1995/96 Richard PURUNTATAMERI (Irrimaru)
1996/97 Shane OLIVER (Pumaralli)
1997/98 Adam WHITLAM (Ranku)
1998/99 Johnathan AH KIT (Taracumbi)
1999/00 Ephrem TIPUNGWUTI (Tuyu)
2000/01 Ivan FERNANDO jnr (Nguiu)
2001/02 James WARLAPINI (Pumaralli)
2002/03 Trevor WILSON (Muluwurri)
2003/04 Wayne-Joseph PILAKUI (Tuyu)
2004/05 Roy KANTILLA (Ranku)
2005/06 Juan ORSTO (Tuyu)
2006/07 John-Patrick MUNKARA (Pumaralli)
2007/08 Adonis WOMMATAKIMMI (Ranku)
2008/09 no award
2009/10 Mitchell PUNATULURA (Walama)
2010/11 Kenny WARLAPINNI (Tuyu)
2011/12 Jessiah TIMAPATUA (Melville Roos) TIED WITH...
2011/12 Jack MUNKARA (Pumaralli)
Edmund Johnson Medal (Best Backman)
1998/99 Thomas KERINAIUA (Tapalinga)
1999/00 Thomas KERINAIUA (Tapalinga)
2000/01 Andrew KERINAIUA (Tapalinga)
2001/02 Guiseppe TIPILOURA (Pumaralli)
2002/03 Hughie KERINAIUA (Tapalinga)
2003/04 Jack TIPUNGWUTI (Wurankuwula)
2004/05 Romeo ULLUNGURA (Tuyu)
2005/06 Jamie FERNANDO (Muluwurri)
2006/07 Ambrose MUNKARA (Walama)
2007/08 Gareth LORENZO (Pumaralli)
2008/09 no award
2009/10 Romolo KANTILLA (Tapalinga)
2010/11 Andrea PUAUTJIMI jnr (Ranku)
2011/12 Reginald TIPILOURA (Pumaralli) TIED WITH...
2011/12 Shaun AUSTRAL (Walama)
Coach of the Year
2001/02 Keith WOODY (Tuyu)
2002/03 Gawin TIPILOURA (Pumaralli)
2003/04 (not known)
2004/05 Keith WOODY (Tuyu)
2005/06 (not known)
2006/07 Connell TIPILOURA (Muluwurri)
2007/08 Gideon PANGIRAMINNI (Imalu)
*Additional info sourced from Rex Nixon's comprehensive site on Northern Territory football.
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au