NT Diary: Days 3 & 4

Day 3

After spending two days visiting communities in and around Darwin and the Tiwi Islands, it was time for the players to experience some traditional indigenous culture with the Naiuyu Community in the Daly River.

Lying 222km south of Darwin, Naiuyu (population 450) is one of the more developed communities in the state and is also the home land of the Long family - closely related to Cyril Rioli. After a three hour drive in the ‘troopies’, the group took a quick dip at the Daly River crossing.

After meeting local members of the community and receiving a traditional welcome, it was time to travel to Lizzy Downs, a station around 40 mins from Naiuyu. After spotting our first crocodiles for the trip, it was on to fishing for barramundi and hunting for magpie geese and turtles in the around the many waterholes. The scenery was spectacular.

Late afternoon the geese were plucked and cooked for a group tasting session. Cooked on hot coals the taste was as unique as the land it came from – a mix between a beef steak and a pork chop, well done to say the least.

On the return trip to Naiuyu, we passed some local men changing a tyre enquiring where Joel Smith was – his biggest fan was adamant that he was the best player to represent the brown and gold.

After an early evening dip to cool down from the 40 degree heat, a community BBQ and informal kick on a local oval was followed by Santa Claus (and some helpers in the form of new recruits) giving gifts to all children in Naiuyu.

Well after the sun had seen out the day, it was back to the Daly River crossing where, only 100 metres from the waterhole we had been swimming in earlier that day, up to five crocodiles could be seen lying in wait for their prey. Small sharks and Barramundi could also be seen circling in the waters waiting for their meal to be swept down the rapids. By midnight, for those who had lasted, it was time to put the taste buds to use with the barramundi that had been caught earlier in the day, damper and the real experience – turtle.

Tomorrow we travel back to Darwin for our final day of the trip.



Alastair Clarkson and players receive a traditional welcome at the Daly River.


Fishing for barramundi.


Liam Shiels has a Rex Hunt moment with a 'barra'.


Community kick-to-kick session on a footy oval in Naiuyu.


Day 4

On an overcast day that still troubled the mercury to 32 degrees, we travelled back to Darwin for a well earned rest before heading to a local NTFL match – Palmerston v Waratahs. Later in the afternoon a group headed to some local fishing spots to try their hand at joining the 'Barra Club' (17), however this club remain with a sole beneficiary.

The value of visiting the local communities within the last four days has exceeded all expectations, players and staff alike. The impact football has on these Indigenous communities is extraordinary not to mention the natural talent and grace the boys and girls have on the football field. More than this though, is the free-loving spirit of all children in these communities. The challenge however, is to ensure that this amiable characteristic is translated to adulthood and a life that is free of the troubles that threaten so many lives in so many communities. We have a lot to learn from the Indigenous people of Australia as the traditional owners of this land.

By partnering with the Rioli Fund for Aboriginal Health, Menzies School of Research and beyondblue Hawthorn Football Club hopes to be able to play its part in raising awareness and much needed funds to close the gap of life expectancy that is vastly different for Indigenous and non Indigenous people in Australia.