It came after a disappointing week for the Big River Hawks with the women's premier league team ruled out for the season after a succession of forfeits.

The under 18s girls team has also withdrawn from the wet season competition.

AFLNT has confirmed it is close to replacing Julie Hunter who stood down from her position as Katherine regional AFL development manager last October.

An AFLNT spokeswoman last week said they are are hoping to fill the position soon.

The Big River Hawks women's team has been withdrawn from the TIO NTFL Women's Premier League for the remainder of the 2019/20 TIO NTFL season.

The team made history in October last year as the first from Katherine to play in the NT's elite premier league competition.

The women's team, and the girls and boys Under 18s sides, have all struggled to find the numbers willing to travel and play in the Darwin-based competition since the season resumed again in 2020.

AFLNT manager of Community Football, Emily Wastle-Hopkins said AFLNT would meet with the Big River Hawks to plan for the future.

"We understand that a variety of unfortunate reasons but namely player unavailability led to the Big River Hawks forfeits in the Women's Premier League.

"At the time of their submission to be part of the competition we had no reason or evidence to suggest that they'd be unable to play the full season.

"We are planning to get down to Katherine in the coming weeks so we will meet with the club and draw on the strategy work we've already done in the region, which talks to how best to strengthen local footy. We will also unpack what needs to happen to allow for future NTFL ambitions or the like.

Big River Hawks Football Club treasurer Thomas Manning last week said Katherine has to have a Women's AFL team in the NTAFL.

"The NTAFL and the Big River Hawks Committee thought having a Women's Premier League Team in Katherine would have a strong positive impact and help towards addressing some of the social issues. We think in the future there needs to be more community support," Mr Manning said.

"It's a big ask to travel regularly and a game becomes a whole weekend away from families for players. It's a bus trip sometimes leaving early in the morning and returning late at night. It's a big commitment and it's hard for many players, with some travelling over 600kms return each weekend.

"There are real challenges for some of our players, coming from communities throughout the region who have to travel on a weekly basis to get to games. It's been a real challenge for some of our players and this lead to us having to sadly forfeit games. Everyone knows the challenges our young players face at home.

"It's not just a team, it takes a significant group of community support and volunteers to make this happen and on behalf of the Big River Hawks Committee, I'd like to say thank you to all those that helped us throughout the season and continue to support the U18 Boys team."

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