DEFENDER Neville Jetta says he wants Melbourne to make the Northern Territory its second home.
Jetta said he wants the Demons to make it difficult for opposition teams to play them up in Darwin or Alice Springs, where they are playing Port Adelaide at TIO Traeger Park Oval on Saturday – the first AFL match for premiership points in Central Australia.
He added that the picturesque backdrop to the Alice Springs venue made it a special place to play football.
“It’s amazing. It’s unique. You can’t beat it,” he said.
“You won’t get that anywhere else in Australia.
“It’s definitely much nicer weather [than Melbourne].”
The fact that it is Indigenous Round also adds to the importance of Melbourne’s round 11 clash.
“It’s [about] representing the past players that have paved the way for myself and other Indigenous players as well,” Jetta said.
“It gives us a chance to run out and represent them – but not only them – my family and our cultures.”
Jetta said the Demons connected with the Northern Territory community, which is why they sought out local Indigenous artist Ursula Napangardi Hudson to design their jumper for Indigenous Round.
“She did it about two months ago after we got in contact with her,” Jetta said.
“She did the design for us and we were lucky enough to get the jumper designed and I can’t wait for the boys to run out in it.”
As for Melbourne’s prospects against the top of the ladder Power, Jetta is confident his improving team can claim the points.
“Yeah, definitely [we can win]. If we play our brand of footy for 120 minutes, we can certainly come out and upset them,” he said.
“I can’t wait to get out there and hopefully beat Port [Adelaide].”