After an updated weather forecast issued by the Bureau of Meteorology this morning tonight’s game between Richmond Tigers and the AFL Indigenous All Stars game has been called off due to adverse weather conditions forecast for today.
The AFL and AFLNT have decided that based on the revised forecast for heavy rain, 100km/h winds and storms to hit Alice Springs today as an after effect of cyclone Yasi, the game is being called off to protect both players and patrons attending the game.
Whilst extremely disappointed AFLNT CEO Tony Frawley agrees that the right decision has been made.
“We are immensely disappointed with the last minute cancellation as we realise how disappointed the footy fans of Alice Springs will be,”
“My team have been here all week preparing for the game and were confident the game would be a fantastic event. However, we realise that it would not be prudent to knowingly fly in groups of players to an area affected by such adverse conditions,”
“We must also remember the public and their safety is paramount and we can not be seen to be putting any patron, staff member or player at risk of injury or worse,”
“The cancellation of this high profile game is a body blow for the Town of Alice Springs which received a much needed boost when given the last minute opportunity to host the game after the decision was made to relocate the game from Darwin,” advised Frawley.
“The blow is worsened by the fact that a partisan home crowd will now be denied the once in an opportunity to watch their hometown heroes such as of Jurrah, Campbell, Taylor and Hampton play at Traeger Park.”
For all those people in Alice Springs who have purchased General Admission Tickets and Corporate Tickets, AFLNT will refund all monies owed to those people.
“Those people who have pre-purchased tickets need to return to the place of purchase for a full refund,” said Frawley.
“We thank all the people of Alice Springs who have pulled out all stops to attempt to put this game on, especially the Alice Springs Town council and the various contractors and supporters that have enabled us to relocate, it is just unfortunate we are unable to put on the event.”