Northern Territory AFL Draft prospect Taj Murray is aware that his football journey is a symbol of hope for people from the Top End.
Seven weeks out from the AFL Draft, Murray looks likely to find a list spot after a promising season as a high-upside tall utility who showed his wares across five different sides.
There are currently just 14 listed AFL men's footballers who have played junior footy in the Northern Territory, highlighting the significant difficulty of reaching the top league from the top end, with the practicalities of balancing travel and playing high-level football consistently almost unfeasible.
Murray followed in Brisbane dual premiership player Zac Bailey's footsteps, venturing to esteemed South Australian school Prince Alfred College for the last two years of his studies after a standout U16s National Development Championships for the NT Thunder.
In a schedule so hectic he had to drop a class at school to accommodate all his commitments and travel, Murray played all three of Northern Territory's Coates Talent League games in 2025, giving back to the program which provided him with a launchpad to chase his dream.
“I was brought up with the NT Academy, so to give back to them, I just wanted to provide a bit of leadership and knew I had a role to play as one of the better players,” Murray told Zero Hanger's Craft of the Draft.
“There were some days where I was just meeting boys on the day of a game, but I just wanted to bring the attitude that win, lose or draw, let's play to the best of our ability and have a crack.”
The Thunder lost their games by 51, 48 and 32 points and have never won a Coates Talent League game, having played limited annual fixtures since 2019.
Murray first represented the region as a double bottom-ager at the U12s Schoolboys competition, playing alongside the likes of Nick Watson and Nate Caddy, the latter of whom he recalls taking a big hanger on his head.
Those games for Northern Territory gave Murray a clear view of different challenges associated with fielding a competitive side.
Having grown up without a clear role model from the Northern Territory, he embraces the position he's in to potentially be that idol for the next generation.
“I definitely want to inspire others from the Northern Territory,” Murray said.
“I never thought I'd be in this position really so I'm super grateful for the NT Academy. They've been great.
"The support they've shown me has been huge. They do everything they can to put a good game on each week.
“It would be pretty cool to be that role model to inspire others to realise there is that pathway to, even if it means moving away, represent the NT at the next level.
“I'm a proud Territorian.”
Those games for his native region came during a period he played three games in five days and five games in 13 days, representing the Thunder, AFL Academy, Prince Alfred College and North Adelaide.
He would also play three games for the Allies later in the year.
Despite making the move to South Australia to limit travel for footy, he still had to catch a plane for nine of his games throughout 2025, as well as the AFL Draft National Combine and three trips home.
The Nightcliff junior flew straight from the National Combine to Darwin to recharge with family in his beloved outdoors after a rewarding but chaotic year.
In a pure footballing sense, Murray will be given time to develop in the state league and season his raw frame to the rigours of the next level.
His mobility, marking and skill with ball in hand, which was notably on show during the Allies' opener as he kicked a four-goal haul, are the key traits which stand out.
“When I'm at my full confidence is when I'm at my full potential," Murray noted.
“When I'm enjoying playing footy, that's when I'm up and about - I didn't know many of the boys but the way I was playing that day was like I had been playing with them for ages.
“If I can do that for the rest of my career then it will hold me in good stead.”
Having captained the Northern Territory U16s basketball side, Murray's ability to dance through traffic is also a feature of his footy.
A decision between the sports was simple.
“I used to be a point guard in basketball, which requires quick feet and hand-eye coordination, which comes into my footy weaving around rucks and being an extra midfielder, which I love to be,” Murray said.
“It was a fairly easy decision to pick footy, though, because I always have a smile on my face playing footy.”
Murray is comfortable playing either as a ruck or forward, having shown capabilities in both positions through 2025.
"He is in a similar mould to Luke Jackson in my opinion, (with) elite agility for a tall," said Northern Territory coach Dale Eames, who has also witnessed his development through the AFL Academy.
"His ruck craft and ability to hit to advantage is a key strength to his game. He effectively becomes a fourth mid when the ball hits the ground and he has exceptional spatial awareness due to his basketball history.
"Contested marking is something that he is starting to add to his game which makes him and even more lethal option."
Roosters coach Mitch Clisby, who Murray has held close as a key voice in a year where there has been a revolving door of coaches, even sees a potential future for him as a marking defender.
He would have played in the backline for North Adelaide late in the season had he not hurt his ankle in a school outing, with that injury also keeping him out of the physical testing at the AFL Draft National Combine – frustratingly, given his high-end athletic profile.
While not testing, Murray still got the opportunity to interview with clubs, where his warm character shone through – a skill noted by many of his contemporaries and coaches across various levels, which has held him in good stead.
“Some of the footy he was able to play has put him in a good position to go onto an AFL list," Clisby said of Murray.
"There's not many kids his height who can do what he can do.
“He's a character and very popular kid in South Australia and back home in the Northern Territory so I think players will definitely latch onto him wherever he goes.”
For Northern Territory footy, the effect of having a male drafted would be felt across the region.
Murray's drive has permeated across the entire squad during his time involved, and his journey can be used as a reference point for players who lined up alongside him as they seek to play the highest level they can.
Eames highlighted the positive impact Murray has had on 2026 Northern Territory AFL Draft prospect Issac Herold's development through 2025.
