ADELAIDE great Andrew McLeod has been named captain of the Northern Territory Government's AFLNT Team of the Century, in a 22 that includes three members of the Rioli family.
A dual Norm Smith medallist, McLeod was named in the centre when the team was unveiled at a gala dinner in Darwin on Friday night.
Hawthorn star and last year's Norm Smith medallist Cyril Rioli was the only current day player in the team, named alongside his uncle and Richmond's 1982 Norm Smith medallist Maurice Rioli.
Cyril Rioli snr made the final 22, having played for St Marys in the Northern Territory as well as South Fremantle in the WAFL.
Selectors narrowed down an extensive list of players from the past 100 years to have played in the Territory in a group that included players who established careers in the AFL as well as local legends.
Other AFL stars to feature in the final 22 were Essendon great Michael Long and Collingwood Brownlow medallist and current coach Nathan Buckley.
Central Australians Joel Bowden (Richmond), Gilbert McAdam (St Kilda/Brisbane) and Darryl White (Brisbane) also features in the 22, which was selected from the shortlist of 100 revealed in April.
John Taylor was named coach of the century, having guided St Mary's to an incredible 11 premierships in 14 years and 229 wins in 252 games between 1983 and 2004.
AFLNT CEO Michael Solomon, who was a non-voting chairman on the committee, said the selectors were thrilled to reach a final 22 from more than 55,000 people who have played football in the Northern Territory.
"Football means a lot to everyone in the NT, it is the sport that defines the Territory way of life and tonight is a culmination of 100 years of football excellence and achievement for those lucky enough to make this Team of the Century," he said.
The selection committee was made up of Shaun Hardy, Lincoln Jenkin, Charlie King, Bennie (Walter) LewFatt, Grey Morris and Jenny Sinclair.
Northern Territory Government's AFLNT Team of the Century
B: Joel Bowden, Russell Jeffrey, Bill Dempsey
HB: Nathan Buckley, Michael Athanasiou, Michael McLean
C: Michael Long, Andrew McLeod (captain), John Tye
HF: Michael Graham, Joe Bonson, Maurice Rioli
F: Darryl White, Dennis Dunn, Gympie Lew-Fatt
Foll: David Kantilla (vice-captain), Reuben Cooper, Cyril Rioli Jr
I/C: Walter Lew-Fatt, Gilbert McAdam, Cyril Rioli Snr, Jimmy Anderson
Coach John Taylor
The top 22 (in alphabetical order)
Jimmy Anderson 1957-1969 Buffaloes
Michael Athanasiou 1981-2000 St Marys
Joe Bonson 1953-1968 Works & Housing
Joel Bowden 1994-2009 West Alice Springs
Nathan Buckley 1990-2007 Nightcliff/Southern Districts
Reuben Cooper snr 1917-1939 Buffaloes
Bill Dempsey 1958-1975 Buffaloes
Dennis Dunn 1981-1999 St Marys/Tiwi
Michael Graham 1971-1987 St Marys
Russell Jeffrey 1985-1995 Wanderers
David Kantilla snr 1958-1972 St Marys/Tiwi
Gympie LewFatt 1964-2004 St Marys
Walter LewFatt 1930-1942 Buffaloes
Michael Long 1985-2001 St Marys/Tiwi/Pioneers
Gilbert McAdam 1985-2000 South Alice Springs/Waratah
Michael McLean 1980-1996 Nightcliff
Andrew McLeod 1991-2011 Darwin
Maurice Rioli 1974-1995 St Marys/Waratah/Tiwi
Cyril Rioli jnr 2005- current St Marys/Tiwi
Cyril Rioli snr 1982-2004 St Marys/Tiwi
John Henry Tye 1968-1980 Nightcliff/Darwin
Darryl White 1992-2016 Pioneers/Southern Districts/St Marys/Darwin
