The football fanatic and Sydney FC director is in town to shoot a film but couldn't resist the opportunity to join Graham Arnold's men for a training session.

The Without a Trace star pulled on his boots for a session and told the Northern Territory News: "Just because you're old doesn't mean you should give it a roll up.

"I just happened to come up here to shoot a film for a month and (the soccer team) were on the same plane. I never say no to a bit of soccer training.

"I'm a huge football supporter. I'm very interested in the development of youth football.

"I just came out to have a bit of fun and do one of the things I like doing most."

Filming for his new movie Balibo is expected to start in Darwin shortly. It is the story of five journalists killed in East Timor in 1975.

LaPaglia will play Roger East, the Darwin-based journalist who investigated the murders.