MELBOURNE has extended its partnership with the Northern Territory Government to continue to play a home-and-away match in Darwin in 2012.
The initial three-year arrangement, from 2010-12, involved Melbourne, Western Bulldogs and Richmond playing two homes matches each over the three-year period at TIO Stadium.
Although Melbourne has already played both its matches in 2010 and 2011, it has been agreed between the respective clubs that Melbourne will take up the game previously committed to by the Richmond Football Club for 2012.
This has been made possible by Richmond’s desire to concentrate on the Cairns market. Richmond will play a home-and-away match at Cazaly’s Stadium in 2012.
The additional Northern Territory match is a significant boost for Melbourne.
Melbourne chief executive Cameron Schwab said: “This is a wonderful outcome and capitalises on the goodwill we have generated in the Northern Territory over the last two years. Darwin affords us opportunities on a number levels including, community, fan development, sponsorship and corporate.
“There is enormous potential in Darwin, and we are delighted to be involved with this very important AFL community. In a short space of time we expect Darwin to become a regional sporting hub, including a $20m football academy which will give our players and coaches access to world class training facilities.
“Our supporters love attending the games and enjoy everything the Top End has to offer. Just as importantly, this decision also enables the club to support the elimination of trachoma in remote indigenous communities in a very real and tangible way."
As part of its community efforts, Melbourne is involved in the fight against trachoma, led by University of Melbourne's Harold Mitchell Chair of Indigenous Eye Health, Professor Hugh Taylor.
Melbourne indigenous players Liam Jurrah and Aaron Davey have accompanied Professor Taylor to Yuendumu in Central Australia to help raise the awareness and ultimately eliminate trachoma, from Indigenous communities.
Since the inception of the program, cases of trachoma have dramatically decreased in the targeted regions, underscoring the impact the AFL can have in remote Indigenous communities.
“When Darwin was first raised as an option, the club decided that we would make a serious commitment to the game, the community and to the region. This is another step in that commitment and hopefully consolidates the Melbourne Football Club’s relationship with the Northern Territory.
The Club will immediately start working with the Northern Territory Government and the AFL to continue the relationship beyond 2012.
For the record, Melbourne held off Port Adelaide by one point in round nine, 2010 and again defeated the Power by 21 points in round 17, 2011.
Travel packages will again be available through the Club for a unique Northern Territory experience.
