CHIEF Executive Officer Peter Jackson says the club’s involvement in the launch of the Sir Doug Nicholls Round in 2018 is an “absolute privilege”.
The match, to be played against the Adelaide Crows at TIO Traeger Park on Sunday May 27, will kick off a week-long celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Jackson said despite several obstacles, the club is proud to have made the switch from Darwin to Alice Springs.
“We played one or two games here, and to be honest, I don’t think the stakeholders involved were that excited with the idea,” he said.
“We at the Melbourne Football Club looked around and said ‘how good is playing a game of elite sport with a backdrop like this, which is the heart and soul of Australian history and heritage’, so we pushed a bit harder.”
Playing in the Northern Territory for the past eight years, Melbourne has developed a strong connection with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The club now sees an opportunity to give back, with Jackson highlighting the important role the community plays.
“Apart from it being a unique game in a unique setting, the whole purpose now is to give something back to the Aboriginal community around Alice Springs on the back of AFL football,” he said.
“We understand our commitment and responsibility to give back, and this game will give us the opportunity to really make a difference.”
AFL General Manager Inclusion and Social Policy Tanya Hosch spoke further of this chance.
“We know that sport is a power vehicle to unite people and we see this in AFL all the time, but we’re also aware that there are things that divide us,” she said.
“Celebration of this round is a great opportunity to remind the nation of the presence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in our game and the huge contributions they make, not just on the football field but back into their communities as well.”
Speaking with a great sense of pride in her voice, Hosch acknowledged the town’s positive response to the news.
“It’s fantastic to see the local community get behind us and want to work with us to make most of the opportunity when we bring the men’s game in May and we’ve got another opportunity tomorrow night when we watch the women play,” she said.
The Demons’ round four clash against Collingwood has been well-talked about among the community, with fans travelling from surrounding areas to attend the match.
The game, which will commence at 5.40pm CST on Saturday evening, will be the first ever AFL Women’s match played in the Red Centre.
Melbourne will debut its indigenous jumper, designed by Wurundjeri-willam artist Mandy Nicholson, alongside the club’s first AFLW indigenous player, Aliesha Newman.
