Recently delisted Brisbane Lions Rhys Mathieson and Blake Coleman will join Mitch Robinson at Darwin Buffaloes in the Northern Territory Football League.
The Lions announced that the pair would not receive new contracts for 2024 last week, with the duo having since been recruited by former Carlton and Brisbane player Mitch Robinson to play in the Top End.
Robinson had featured in previous NTFL seasons for the Buffaloes and has become a star player for Darwin, averaging 23.5 disposals, 4.5 clearances and 3.4 tackles in the 2022/23 season.
NT Football media figure Jackson Clark confirmed on Tuesday night that both Mathieson and Coleman will be making their NTFL debut on Friday night against the Palmerston Magpies.
Robinson isn't the only former Lion to feature in the NTFL in recent times, with Cam Ellis-Yolmen playing for the Southern Districts Crocs where he'd average 14.4 disposals, 2.8 clearances and 2.6 tackles in 2022/23.
Being originally from Katherine in the NT, Coleman will be right at home in the heat of the wet season, with his brother Keidean expected to be spectating his former teammates in action.
Robinson's 2022/23 NTFL campaign earned him a spot in the NT representative side that defeated WAFL side South Fremantle by 12 points earlier this year.
The Darwin Buffaloes take on Palmerston Magpies as they look to take first place with a win on Friday, October 27 at 8pm local time at Cazalys Arena in Darwin.
