The Sydney Swans have returned to the Northern Territory this November to host the Maningrida Footy Festival following the success of last year's inaugural event. 

Players and staff joined the Australian Defence Force and Mala’la Aboriginal Medical Service in Darwin, before travelling to remote communities within West Arnhem Land including Jabiru, Ramingining, Milingimbi and Maningrida. Part of the Australian Government’s Tackling Indigenous Smoking (TIS) program. 

This year, the primary message focuses on the impact of second-hand smoking in the community - those who don't smoke but are affected by friends and family who do.

From November 14-16 communities will then travel to Maningrida for the annual footy festival, aimed at spreading an important anti-smoking health message.

Scroll below for a recap on the special week. 

Day 7:

The second day of the tournament was met with wet and slippery conditions as the wet season loomed over the Top End. After the final rounds of competition, an undefeated Maningrida Swans and Milingimbi played in a fiery grand final match - a goal in the final minute of the second half securing a win for the Swans. 

In the women's competition the Bulldogs secured the title. 

Th evening was accompanied by a community barbecue thanks to the support of the ADF, Mala'la Health and West Arnhem Regional Council. It was the perfect send off for the second annual Maningrida Footy Festival. 

Reflecting on the week, AFLW defender Brenna Tarrant said it had been a memorable experience.

"I'm always looking for ways to give back and I think particularly to be able to do it with the First Nations people in our country made me really want to come and sort of aid in any way that I could," Tarrant said.

"I really wanted to expose myself and learn about their culture a little bit more and I think what better way to do it than to actually get into a local community and really immerse myself.

“The footy festival really brings the whole community all together, it was crazy to see the crowd that came and watched both the men's and women's players from all the communities in the area. To get out and run around with the kids, they're just having an absolute ball, they come out here every single day to come and have a kick, obviously footy is pretty big here and it’s been great to see."

Day 5-6:

A community BBQ kicked off the final two days of the Maningrida footy festival, with teams from travelling communities coming together for breakfast put on by the Swans and ADF staff.

The evening kicked off the male and female two-day tournament, which saw families and friends coming together from across Arnhem Land to partake in the event. 

The female Maningrida Bulldogs secured their position in the Grand Final with two wins and a draw, while Ramingining and the Maningrida Swans battled it out in a semi final. The Swans were victorious and set to meet the Bulldogs in the big dance. 

Day 4-5:

After groups of ADF members, Swans players, and staff spent two days in the communities of Jabiru, Ramingining and Milingimbi, the whole team reunited in Maningrida on Day 4.

A basketball competition against students at the Maningrida local school kicked off the group's arrival, with Sydney securing a win against Maningrida for a second year in a row. A community kick-to-kick in the evening rounded out the day.

The morning of Day 5 saw players and staff immerse themselves in the community through activities including fishing, weaving, learning on country and bush oven preparation. 

The Kick The Habit Footy Festival was officially launched with the Opening Ceremony in the afternoon, before the junior competition got underway in the evening. The AFL and AFLW players lead warm-ups and training drills with the local kids, before joining in once the tournament got underway. 

Day 2 -3:

A contingent of Swans staff, along with players Sam Wicks and Brenna Tarrant touched down in Maningrida in preparation for the Kick The Habit Footy Festival this weekend. 

Building a synergy between being a professional athlete and promoting healthy living in the Top End, Wicks and Tarrant immersed themself amongst the community at a kick-to-kick event while taking part in a new advertisement for the TIS program.

Wicks, who is visiting Maningrida for a third consecutive year, says he embraced the opportunity to give back to a community that welcomed him with open arms.

"I love coming to Maningrida. It's great to be amongst the community once again but see some familiar faces - they always greet me with a smile and it's a privilege to be back again," Wicks said.

"It's important to really drive the message of healthy living and talk about the dangers of smoking, and this year we're focusing on the impacts of second-hand smoking in the community.

"Last year, we had no-one smoking at the festival and it will be great to see that happen again - it's really important that we see everyone jumping on board.

"We want to make a difference" 

Day 3 saw the Swans visit Maningrida College to continue the Tackling Indigenous Smoking (TIS) program, before heading to the Youth Centre to put some smiles on the faces of the community through various activities, including boxing, basketball, and card games.

Day 1 - 2:

After touching down in Darwin, players and staff traveled east to the community of Jabiru for cultural education at Ubirr, a sacred site known for Aboriginal Rock Art. Situated in Kakadu National Park, a local guide shared Dreamtime stories before watching the sunset. 

The following day, groups then travelled six hours to Ramingining, Milingimbi and Maningrida for an afternoon of community kick to kick.

Did you know?

• Smoking kills 8 million people globally every year, including about 1 million deaths among non-smokers from secondhand smoke.
• Smoking kills about 20,000 Australians, including about 1,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• It is estimated that between 1 in 4 and 1 in 3 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will die early because of smoking.
• Smoking causes diseases in every part of the body, not just the lungs.  But your health starts to improves as soon as you quit.
• Fewer than 1 in 10 Australian adults now smoke.