Melbourne to play two games in the Northern Territory in 2019

MELBOURNE will continue playing games in the Top End and the Red Centre in 2019, with the club announcing a pair of clashes in the Northern Territory next season.

Melbourne star Max Gawn hams it up with fans at Traeger Park in Alice Springs after last season’s win over Adelaide. Picture: AFL Media/Getty Images

MELBOURNE will continue playing games in the Top End and the Red Centre in 2019, with the club announcing a pair of clashes in the Northern Territory next season.

The Dees, fresh off making a preliminary final in 2018, have scheduled matches in Darwin and Alice Springs as part of the 2019 AFL fixture, to be released on Thursday.

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Melbourne star Max Gawn hams it up with fans at Traeger Park in Alice Springs after last season’s win over Adelaide. Picture: AFL Media/Getty Images

They’ll face Adelaide at TIO Stadium in Darwin in Round 11, marking a decade of playing games in Darwin, before returning to host 2018 premier West Coast at Traeger Park in Alice Springs.

Home games played in NT reportedly yield about $500,000 for the club.

Demons chief executive Gary Pert said both the club and NT community benefited from the club’s visits.

“Playing AFL games in the Northern Territory not only allows us to showcase our great game in some of the most unique parts of the nation, but also provides the opportunity for the locals to see their heroes play,” Pert told the club’s website.

HEADING NORTH

Round 11

Melbourne vs Adelaide Crows

TIO Stadium, Darwin

Saturday, June 1, 7.40pm (AEST)

Round 18

Melbourne vs West Coast Eagles

TIO Traeger Park, Alice Springs

Sunday, July 21, 3.20pm (AEST)

Originally published as Melbourne to play two games in the Northern Territory in 2019