'Absolutely excellent': Tiwi Island trio lead local AFL team to 509-point win

The 78-goal victory has been described as one of the most iconic wins in Australian Rules history.

Source: AAP

Three football players recruited from the Tiwi Islands have delivered an historic AFL victory in rural Victoria.

The Great Western Lions defeated the Ararat Eagles by 509 points, 79.41 (515) to 1.0 (6) in the senior division of the Mininera and District Football League.

Thirty goals were kicked in the final quarter.

Gerrard Cunningham scored 21 goals, Steven Lorenzo scored 16 goals and Bradley Palipuaminni scored 8 goals.

Tracey McCartney, president of the Great Western Lions Football Netball Club, said the Northern Territory talent had transformed the side.

“They’ve just flourished, they’ve been absolutely excellent for the club,” she told the NT News.

“We didn’t go out to set records, that wasn’t the case from the coach. The coach’s goal for this season was to make the finals and win 10 games. We’re third on the ladder, we’ll make the finals. We set goals and whatever bonus will be extra for us.

The trio will return to Darwin during the Victoria's off-season to continue playing footy.

“It’s a good bunch of people, a family club. sometimes I hate the weather when it rains and there’s frost and wind,” Palipuaminni said.

“But when the suns out it’s all right,” Cunningham said.