AFL Northern Territory today announced its official line-up of events for TIO NTFL ‘Seatbelts Save Lives’ Grand Final week.
The week kicks off in style with Territory football’s night of nights, the Officeworks Nichols Medal, at SKYCITY Casino on Sunday 11 March and concludes with the famed Tiwi Islands Football League Grand Final on Sunday 18 March.
Some of the biggest names in Australian football will converge on the Territory to share memories and experience on one of the nations greatest exhibitions of pure football talent, the NTFL Grand Final.
With this year’s Grand Final falling on St Patrick’s Day Irish eyes will truly be smiling at TIO Stadium as AFLNT’s finals ambassador for the week is Swans legend and proud Irishman Tadhg Kennelly. Kennelly will accompany the Premiership cup to the iconic Shenannigans St Patrick’s Day breakfast on Friday 16March.
The 2005 Premiership player will address students at the prestigious St Johns Catholic College Centre of Excellence which is being officially launched by Michael Long on Wednesday 14 March.
The dual AFL and Gaelic Football star will also assist new NT Thunder Head Coach Daniel Archer put the reigning NEAFL Premiers through their paces at their Friday night training session. Kennelly will also be the guest speaker at AFLNT’s pre Grand Final function and will join AFLNT Chairman Ross Coburn to present the Premiership medallions to the winning team.
AFLNT CEO Tony Frawley said the marquee week in Territory sport offers fans and visitors the ultimate experience in genuine football action and entertainment.
"This is an astonishing feast of football that showcases the Territory’s number one sport in a week long celebration of our great game", said Frawley.
"We are delighted that the Tiwi Bombers will play in the Grand Final and Bombers supporters create a fantastic atmosphere at the ground as we saw when they played in the 2009/10 decider against St Mary’s",
"The Officeworks Nichols Medal with its rich history and tradition of unearthing legends of our great game is a fitting way to begin the week and events such as the Rioli Fund Dinner and the Nightcliff Grand Final Breakfast also make up an important part of the week as they offer fans unrivalled access to some of the greats of the game,"
"With so much happening and so many great names joining us for the week, it truly is a festival of footy that the entire NT football family will relish being part of and it is no wonder that Territory Discoveries have put together a travel package to encourage interstate visitors to come and enjoy our unique footy fest"
Further information on Territory Discoveries packages can be found at http://www.territorydiscoveries.com/holiday-ideas/guided-tours/tiwi-isl…;
Frawley added that while the Rioli Fund Dinner was a great chance to hear from sporting and entertainment greats including Peter Daicos, Chris Anstey, HG Nelson, Ernie Dingo and Sean Choolburra, it was also a great opportunity for Territorians to contribute to further research in Aboriginal health.
"AFLNT has a strong commitment to community partnerships and development and we fully support the work that the Rioli Fund does in providing better health and education outcomes for Aboriginal communities across the Territory," said Frawley.
The day itself kicks off bright and early on Saturday 17 March at 8am with the traditional Nightcliff Grand Final Breakfast featuring Western Bulldogs favourite son Doug Hawkins and Shinboner of the Century Glenn Archer.
All the footy action also kicks off at 8am at TIO Stadium and TIO No. 2 with nine TIO NTFL ‘Seatbelts Save Lives’ Grand Final matches being played throughout the day. Please see below for the full list of matches start times and admission prices.
TIO Stadium
8.00 am |
TIO NTFL Under 14 Gunderson D1 |
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9.45 am |
TIO NTFL Under 16 Hickman D1 |
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11.30 am |
TIO NTFL Under 18 GF |
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1.45 pm |
TIO NTFL Division 2 GF |
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4.00 pm |
TIO NTFL Division 1 GF |
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6.30 pm |
TIO NTFL Premier League GF |
TIO No.2
8.30 am |
TIO NTFL Under 14 Atkinson Div 3 |
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10.15 am |
TIO NTFL Under 14 Lew Fatt Div 2 |
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12.00 pm |
TIO NTFL Under 16 Leverence Div 2
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Grand Final Day Admission Prices
$15 Adults
$8 Concession
$5 Children (aged 11-17)
$30 Family (2 Adults, 2 Children)
The Tiwi Islands Football League Grand Final takes place on Sunday 18 March at 2pm.
"The Tiwi Grand Final is an important part of our remote footprint in the Territory and has for many years provided players with a potential pathway to the AFL", said Frawley,
"We couldn’t ask for a better way to round off the biggest week in Territory sport".
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Sunday 11 March – Officeworks Nichols Medal, Skycity Casino from 5pm
Wednesday 14 March – St Johns Catholic College Centre of Excellence Launch, time TBC
Thursday 15 March – TIO NTFL Grand Final Media Conference Alert
Friday 16 March – TIO NTFL Grand Final Media Conference, TIO Stadium, time TBC
Saturday 17 March – Nightcliff Grand Final Breakfast, Nightcliff Sports Club from 8am
Saturday 17 March – TIO NTFL ‘Seatbelts Save Lives’ Grand Finals, TIO Stadium from 8am
Sunday 18 March – Tiwi Islands Football League Grand Final
For further information please contact:
Josh Sampson
AFLNT Commercial Operations Coordinator
(08) 8980 4813
0438 714 897