HISTORY
All records of the DBFC are correct as of today however, in some instances, records indicate more than one person as holding a role or winning an award. If anyone has more information on these records, please contact the club on email darwinbuffs@gmail.com
The Club would like to thank the many people who contributed to these records being compiled. In particular, Michael Barfoot (NTFL historian), Geoff Dupuy, Alison Brien, Cindy Paterson and Costa Karaolias.
The Northern Territory of South Australia was settled by Europeans in 1869 at Palmerston, it was, and remains the traditional land of the Larrakia.
The first football competition commenced Saturday 27th January 1917 with three teams, Wanderers, Waratahs and Warriors. After an unsuccessful first season, the Warriors club changed its name to Vesteys mainly because most of the players were employed by the Vesteys Meat works however, many of the players from Warriors Football Club did not play for Vesteys Football Club in 1918. After the closure of the meat works, Vesty’s recruited their players from the Darwin “coloured” community and wharf and railway workers. A tradition was born.
The club had another name change in the 1926/27 season, when it was known as the Buffaloes which remained until the 1962/63 season when it was renamed the Darwin Football club.
A true 'local family' team with proud traditions with a number of present day players whose grandfathers played for the club in the 1920's and 1930's. The club still cherishes the old Buffalo nametag, and has retained the club song 'Old Buffaloes Never Die', which is sung at anniversaries and after special wins.
Since its formation in 1917, the Club has won 23 Men's Premier League Premierships including four consecutive Premierships on two occasions from 1948/49 to 1951/52, and from 1967/68 to 1970/71. It has also won 8 Reserves and 17 Under 18 Premierships since the competitions started in 1953/ 54 and 1956/57 respectively.
The first Buffaloes Women's team, “The Buffettes”, was established in 2004, with the inauguration of the Northern Territory Women's Football League. The Buffettes now include U14s, U16s and U18s and Women's Premier League (2016/17 and 2021/22 Premiership winners).
Darwin Buffaloes Football club has produced 11 Nichols Medallists;
- Leo Pon 1946/47
- Joe Sarib 1949/50
- Steve Abala Sr 1950/51
- Don Stokes 1967/68
- Ali Muir 1968/69 (tie)
- Ron Quall 1975/76
- Basil Damaso 1976/77
- William Briston 1983/84
- Steven Stokes 1987/88
- Jason Jones 1991/ 92 and 1993/94. Jason Jones became the sixth NTFL player to win the medal twice.
- Ben Ahmat in 2002/03
League Best & Fairest winners before the Nichols Medal was introduced were Rueben Cooper 1921/22, Don Bonson Sr 1931/32 and 1935/36, Walter Lew Fatt 1932/33 and 1933/34, and Leo Pon 1937/ 38.
Darwin Buffaloes Football club has produced 5 NTFL Women's Best and Fairest Medallists;
- Candis McLennan 2005/06
- Natasha Medbury 2007/08
- Lucy Adams 2017/18 (tie)
- Molly Althouse 2021/22
- Molly Althouse 2022/23
Buffalo Juniors who have played in the AFL;
- Andrew Mc Leod 340 games with Adelaide Football Club (1995 to 2010)
- Matthew Whelan 150 games with Melbourne Football Club (2000 to 2009)
- Jed Anderson 99 games with Hawthorn and North Melbourne (2013 to 2023)
- Robbie Ah Mat 67 games with Collingwood and Sydney (1995 to 2001)
- Malcolm Rosas 45 games with Gold Coast Suns (2020 - present)
- Cameron Stokes 20 games with Hawthorn (2008 to 2010)
- Kevin Caton 18 games with Fitzroy, West Coast Eagles and Brisbane (1987 to 1983)
- Joseph Anderson 17 games with Carlton (2008 to 2010)
- Mark West 16 games with Western Bulldogs (1996 to 1998)
- Matthew Ah Mat 8 games with Brisbane and Sydney (1991 to 1994)
- Reuben Cooper 2 games South Melbourne (1969).
