Tiwi Islands Grand Final: Football, Culture, and Prime Ministerial Visit

Just minutes into the men's Tiwi Islands football grand final, black-and-yellow-clad supporters jumped the sideline fence and started storming the field prematurely, caught up in the excitement of their first goal.

The Imalu Tigers had not yet won the flag, but their devoted supporters never gave them a reason to doubt their hopes of securing back-to-back premiership glory.

For the thousands of people living on the Tiwi Islands, Aussie Rules is much more than a friendly sport. It's a religion, and it all culminates on grand final day.

And for the many visitors attending the grand final game at Wurrumiyanga Oval on Bathurst Island, about 80 kilometres north of Darwin, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Each year, hundreds of tourists charter planes and catch ferries across to the Tiwi Islands to watch some of Australia's most promising upcoming AFL players battle it out in front of their home crowds.

This year, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was one of them, becoming the first Australian leader to attend the game while in office.

Victory for Imalu Tigers, Tapalinga Super Stars

Despite the opposing team, the Ranku Eagles, having the home-ground advantage, Melville Island's Imalu Tigers had the real upper hand, with droves of loyal supporters dominating the fence lines.

With reigning premiers Imalu only having lost a single game this season, it was always going to be a David-and-Goliath battle.

At half-time, it appeared the Eagles stood a chance, with the Tigers only narrowly in front by 12 points.

But in the third quarter, Imalu doubled their lead and soon became unstoppable.

For the second time in as many years, the Tigers took home the premiership cup, claiming victory in a thrilling 11.9 (75) to 7.8 (50) win against Ranku.

One young Tigers fan told the ABC he hopes to be playing alongside his male relatives next season.

"It's the sport we grew up with and we just love playing it," he said.

"We love to beat people in it. It can get a bit rough, but yeah, we love it."

In the women's division, it was a tight contest until the end between the Tapalinga Super Stars and the Jikilarruwu.

It was tit-for-tat for much of the first half of the game between the two sides, before Tapalinga created some distance in the third quarter, leaving Jikilarruwu trailing by 10 points.

As the final siren sounded, cheers were met with tears as the Super Stars won the game, defeating Jikilarruwu Thunder & Lightning 8.9 (57) to 4.8 (32).

Huge day of art trade

Grand final day is the largest social event on the Tiwi Islands' social calendar, attracting hundreds of tourists to the community from around the country.

With art centres open amid the influx of visitors, for the islands' artists, the event also doubles as their biggest day of trade and an opportunity to pour money back into the local economy.

Artist Romolo Kantilla said it was also an important time to share their culture.

"It's a very special day for Tiwi people, it's a big day and we get everyone from the mainland and it's a good time to come see the art," he said.

"The art is based on creation stories, totem and country.

"Art is always part of us Tiwi people."