Darwin next year

[Supermercado]

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25778490-19742,00.html

THE AFL has pencilled in Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs for "home" games in Darwin next season.

Under an extended commitment to the Top End expected to be confirmed soon, both clubs are poised to play Port Adelaide at Marrara Oval.

It will be seen as a three-way win for the clubs, which continue to explore new ways to improve their bottom lines.

The Dogs and Demons are each likely to pocket as much as $400,000 for the transferred home games.

Port Adelaide, which has a strong indigenous connection, will get the chance to develop a significant footprint in Darwin.

The AFL scheduled only one premiership game in Darwin this season - the Round 12 Bulldogs-Port Adelaide clash.

Melbourne, which sold one game to Canberra this year, had been keen to play two games in Darwin and make major inroads into the community.

But it is understood Melbourne is content to take the option of one, with an eye to forming strong links in the Northern Territory.

Two of those playing in the club's win against Port Adelaide on Sunday, Aaron Davey and Liam Jurrah, hail from the Northern Territory.

RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRoadtrip!

(by plane)

 

[givemethecure]

I reckon I'll go to that, great excuse for a trip to Darwin. And if Darwin is as fun as John Harms makes it sound, should be a blast.

 

[master bate]

Wish it wasn't the Port game, I like beating them at the G every year. But seriously we need to sell at least 1 game a year, that is the reality and Darwin is as good a place as any.

 

[melbournemartin]

Does this mean we won't have a Canberra game vs Sydney?

It sounds like a good idea, especially with our strong group of Indigeonus (that is disgusting spelling by yours trully) players.

 

[Bartram_Class]

Indigenous MM.

If it means the extra money, surely there won't be too many objections to selling a game each to Darwin/Canberra. Our record at Manuka is quite decent I believe? Pretty sure we beat the Kangaroos up there, and gave the Swans a decent run for their money last year.

Interesting it states we only have the two NTers though (IMO, Jurrah, Davey and the Tiwi Turtle makes three). Also, is Whelan a WA boy then?

 

[melbournemartin]

He grew up in Darwin and played a bit of footy in the SANFL too.

 

[Colin Grigson]

I don't like it TBH. Its too far away. We're going to struggle to get up the next week wherever we're fixtured. Its just a pain in the ass...

Its not a long term solution for mine. I don't see anything of value coming out of this for us in the long run. We need to build our fan base in Victoria. Somewhere that we have an ongoing presence...

In the shire of Casey preferably...

 

[FOOOOTY]

we'll never never know, unless we ever ever... DOH

 

[RandB]

I'm happy with the 1 game up there atm and I reckon I'll make the trip. The interesting point will be which team out of Melb or the Dogs gets the game prior to the split round week off as that would be the ideal week.