AFL heading to the Red Centre

Footy fever is set to reach Alice Springs, with the AFL today confirming fixtures for Round 14 of the season.

The draw sees Melbourne and St Kilda face off at TIO Traegar Park as part of the AFL’s football bonanza that will see 33 AFL games played in 20 days.

The game will take place at 7.10pm on Saturday, 29 August. It is the third AFL match announced for the Territory in coming weeks, with the Gold Coast SUNS taking on Carlton at TIO Stadium on 21 August, followed by Essendon and Richmond playing the Dreamtime in Darwin at the same venue on 22 August. The NT Government has a four-year agreement with AFL to bring professional footy to the Territory.

Northern Territory Major Events Company CEO Tim Watsford said it was great to see so many AFL games secured for the Territory.

This month the Territory is Football Territory.

Top End fans are gearing up to watch the Gold Coast SUNS take on Carlton at TIO Stadium, followed by the Dreamtime in Darwin game between Essendon and Richmond the next day.

Now we have Red Centre fans able to watch world-class footy in their own backyard thanks to the Alice Springs Melbourne v St Kilda fixture.

That means, out of 18 AFL teams, six of them will be here in the Territory this month. This is an opportunity like no other for Territorians to watch world-class athletes at play, and for the Territory to play a starring role on the national football stage.

AFL Northern Territory CEO Stuart Totham thanked the NT Government and the AFL for working together to ensure footy fans in Central Australia also have the opportunity to attend the elite game in their backyard.

We also extend our gratitude to Channel 7, who will showcase another aspect of our incredible Territory to a national audience.

Over the past seven years, the Melbourne Football Club has built up a strong relationship with the community of Central Australia and are a vital partner when it comes to delivering positive outcomes across talent, coaching, game development, health and facilities.

We also welcome the St Kilda Football Club back to the NT; an exciting, young team on the road to success. Territorians now have three awesome AFL games in eight days to look forward to; we hope they will get amongst it, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the show.

Tickets will be limited and all games will have an approved COVID-19 Management Plan. Tickets will be available through www.ntix.com.au in coming days.