AFL Northern Territory (AFLNT) wishes to advise that finals games scheduled for TIO Stadium and TIO Oval Two on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 February will go ahead as planned.
However, Round 19 TIO NTFL games and finals scheduled for Gardens Oval on Sunday 25 February will be moved to Asbuild Oval in Palmerston as both ovals in the Gardens precinct require a break from foot traffic.
The contingency plan to move games away from TIO Stadium and TIO Oval 2 over the next two weekends is being considered in an effort to preserve the ground for the NTFL grand finals on Saturday 10 and 17 March.
As it is too early to call, there will be no decision on finals to be played in week two until next week.
AFLNT Manager of Community Football and Facilities Russell Jeffrey said the TIO Stadium surface had improved overnight and he remained hopeful some sun and dry weather would continue.
“This morning’s assessment of the oval showed more promise than yesterday, and at the moment we believe another day or two and the mower will be able to do its job. My recommendation to the AFLNT Executive was that we play here this weekend unless a further assessment on Friday says it’s not safe, as the safety of our players, umpires and officials is paramount.
“Gardens Oval appears to be in worse shape than TIO and with plans to play there for the next couple of weeks we believe the right thing to do is to reschedule the games to Asbuild Oval in Palmerston in the hope a week off will help it recover,” he said.
The full fixture for TIO NTFL Round 19 and finals week one can be downloaded here.
