Following the fixture announcement by the AFL, AFL Northern Territory (AFLNT) in conjunction with the Northern Territory Government is excited to welcome the Melbourne Football Cub back to the Northern Territory for the 2017 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.
As detailed in July this year, the Northern Territory Government cemented its partnership with the Melbourne Football Club through to 2018 in order to continue to bring AFL to the Top End and Central Australia.
In further exciting news, the Gold Coast SUNS (Round 10) and Adelaide Football Club (Round 17) have been announced as the teams to take on the mighty Demons.
It will be the first trip the SUNS make to the Red Centre and the first time in five years they are back in the Territory.
And NT-based Adelaide fans will have plenty to rejoice about, with the Crows also playing in Darwin for premiership points for the first time.
AFLNT CEO Michael Solomon said it is great to attract marquee clubs to the NT.
“Melbourne is a team on the up and were very exciting to watch last season, we enjoy working with them and can’t wait to have them back.
“Gold Coast will be keen to bounce back after a tough 2016 and will no doubt bring a fresh energy and new fans to Alice Springs.
“It’s no secret with the likes of NT-great Andrew McLeoad that there is a passion for the Crows in the NT. Combine that with Adelaide’s strong performance last year and I’d expect the Round 17 game in Darwin to be a cracker,” Solomon said.
With ticket on-sale dates still to be confirmed Solomon said his expectations were that both games would sell out.
“I’d encourage fans to keep an eye on our AFLNT social accounts and to act quickly when tickets go on sale.”
Northern Territory Government Minister for Tourism and Culture Lauren Moss said having the Melbourne Football Club return to the Territory was great for the community as well as football fans.
“This is a great result for Territory AFL fans and will ensure they get to see quality games live in two locations."
“The Northern Territory Government is extremely proud of our relationship with the Melbourne Demons and I would like to extend an early welcome to both the Adelaide Crows and Gold Coast SUNS."
“The Northern Territory possesses one of the most passionate AFL supporter bases in the country and I look forward to working with the AFL, AFLNT and all teams to ensure our community gets the best possible AFL experience,” Ms Moss said.
AFL Games in the NT
Round 10 – Sir Doug Nicholls Round
Melbourne v Gold Coast SUNS
Sat May 27, 2017
4:05pm ACST
Round 17
Melbourne v Adelaide
Sat July 15, 2017
7:10pm ACST