The Gold Coast SUNS will play Melbourne at Alice Springs’ TIO Traegar Park in a twilight game on Saturday May 27 as part of Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round in round 10.
SUNS CEO Andrew Travis said the club welcomed the news they would be playing in the Northern Territory in 2017.
“Playing Melbourne in Alice Springs is a great way for the Gold Coast SUNS to celebrate Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round,” Mr Travis said.
“We are proud to boast seven Indigenous players on our list and our commitment to growing our Indigenous programs has never been stronger, highlighted by the Jarrod Harbrow Leadership Academy designed to build young leaders and footballers.”
SUNS defender Steven May, originally from Darwin, also welcomed the fixture announcement.
“From a personal perspective I can’t wait to play an AFL match in Alice Springs.”
“As a Territorian you don’t get the opportunity to play in your home state at the highest level very often.
“This will be just the second time our AFL team have played in Northern Territory since our establishment, we played the Western Bulldogs in Darwin in 2012 but I missed out on selection.
May said the game against Melbourne would be an opportunity for many locals to be further involved with AFL.
“I’m sure many of my family and friends will make the trip down from Darwin and that’s something I’m excited about.
“Having games played in the Territory is great for the locals, they love AFL footy and Traeger Park is a great venue I’m sure a big crowd will come out for the game.”
The full AFL fixture for the 2017 Toyota AFL Premiership Season will be released later this week, with a round one QClash at Metricon Stadium already confirmed.
