Full gallery: The Melbourne Demons took on St Kilda at Traeger Park in Alice Springs
Thousands flocked to see their team try to take the win in the Red Centre capital, where two footy giants went head to head at Traeger Park. See the gallery from the day.
Northern Territory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The weather turned it on for a hotly anticipated footy game in the Red Centre capital, with punters coming in from all corners of the country to check out the action.
Traeger Park in Alice Springs was full to the brim on Sunday as both Saints and Demons supporters came down to watch their teams go head to head with the Saints taking out the win 14.7 (91) 7.21 (63).
Official counts had a total of 6721 punters turning up to the Red Centre sporting ground.
Plenty of Victorians made the trip up to support both of the Melbourne-based teams, while there was a strong cohort of locals – some who didn’t support either team – who were out to enjoy the day.
Andrew Reiff and Natalie Madril said they made a 367km trip from “out bush” on “rough as” roads to come and enjoy the game.
The avid Saints supporters said they were hopeful for a win, and weren’t disappointed.
Alice Springs local Brendon Inkamala, a Brisbane Lions supporter, said he went to the game every year – and was hopeful the Lions could be coming next.
The Melbourne Demons have designated Alice Springs as a second home ground, but Mr Inkamala thought it would be cool if the NT had their own team, so that a variety of different teams could come every year.
Andrea Stidwill, Scott Xu, Fletcher Stidwill, Lauren Oakley Browne, Alex Irving, and Wanda Waters had come from all corners of Australia, to watch the Demons.
Members of the group were from Sydney, Adelaide, Newcastle, Canberra, and Melbourne, they said.
Also making a hefty journey to come to the game was Chris Hines, Trang Tran, and Karen Reeves who’d made the journey out form Yuendumu.
They wanted to make sure the Yuendumu Magpies were represented, while Saints supporter Melissa Thomson was ecstatic her team were in town, two days out from her birthday.
Gallery: Demons players get out to community ahead of St Kilda clash
The Melbourne Demons have touched down in Alice Springs ahead of their annual AFL match with some members travelling out to community to mingle with young fans.
Shane McAdam, who has strong family ties to Central Australia, and Darwin-born Andy Moniz-Wakefield made the trip out to Santa Teresa to share their footy knowledge with the locals.
The early arrivals to the Red Centre made the 80km trip to the community on Friday ahead of the Sunday match against St Kilda at Traeger Park.
And despite rain and flood warnings just days earlier, the group made it through to share a special experience with many kids in the community just excited to see footy players around them.
It was McAdam’s second time visiting Santa Teresa as a member of the Melbourne Demons and he was excited to get out there and play his part.
“We’re really lucky to be able to come up here and visit community, ahead of our game this weekend,” he said.
“Our club has a really strong connection to Santa Teresa, and it was great to get out there, see the grassed oval and have a kick of the footy with the kids.
“To bring smiles to so many kids’ faces is what it is all about.
“We’re looking forward to seeing all the Dees fans at the game on Sunday.”
What you need to know about Melbourne v St Kilda in Alice Springs
Alice Springs will this weekend be treated to their slice of AFL action when the Melbourne Demons host St Kilda in what will be a crucial match for both sides.
The Round 12 clash tips off at 2.50pm on Sunday at Traeger Park with the Demons in a strong recent run of form born from their stars such as Max Gawn and Christian Petracca.
Those same players will line up at Traeger Park for the club’s annual Alice Springs fixture, also set to feature the NT’s own Steven May.
Melbourne currently sit 11th with five wins to their name, all from their past six games pointing to a lift in momentum.
St Kilda started their season with some promise but have only one win from their past five leaving the side in 14th.
The Demons will have their open training session at the ground from 9.30am with a player signing session to follow for the fans.
Ticket sales will remain open at the Speed Street Box Office from 12.30am otherwise tickets can be purchased in advance from Ticketmaster.
The gates open for the public and corporate from 1.15pm with the match set to take off at 2.50pm following the welcome to country ceremony.
As part of the entry process, security bag checks and wanding will take place before tickets are scanned.
Alcohol, hard eskies, glass, cans, cameras and recording devices, umbrellas and shade structures, political banners and non-camping chairs are strictly prohibited from the venue.
There will also be a general bus service between Traeger Park and the Alice Springs Convention Centre around the match times.
INTERSPORT will be at the game selling limited exclusive Melbourne and St Kilda merchandise near the Speed Street Gate.
Meanwhile, a halftime NAB AFL Auskick match will take place during half time with all participants required to meet near the northern end of the TIO CAFL clubrooms by 3.20pm.
More Coverage
Originally published as Full gallery: The Melbourne Demons took on St Kilda at Traeger Park in Alice Springs
NT Medical Expo invites students to link with specialists and skill-up
Professors and past students said the NT Medical Career Expo is an invaluable date in the diary for any medical students or junior doctors looking to shape their Territory career.
Pair hit with charges over damaged pub, alleged staff assault
Two publicans have allegedly been assaulted in Alice Springs, but police say they’ve arrested the duo behind the alleged crime. Read the latest.