Brisbane legend Darryl White says a Round 9 Dreamtime Game in Darwin makes a lot of sense

An August Richmond-Essendon Dreamtime game ‘will happen’.

Richmond’s Tiwi islander Daniel Rioli with the 2019 Indigenous Round Dreamtime jumper he designed with his parents on Melville Island while holding a Marngrook (original game ball). Picture: David Caird

A DREAMTIME Game in Darwin in August is Brisbane legend Darryl White’s prediction.

It’s a prediction backed by respected footy commenator Caroline Wilson who said on national television last night that the game “will happen” in the Top End.

“What the AFL is doing as we speak is trying to get a broadcast team to fly up to Darwin to televise the Sir Doug Nicholls round which will be played between Essendon and Richmond.

“It will be in Darwin and it’s just getting the team up there to actually film it, it will be so exciting.

“That is going to be in the next round of fixtures.”

With the AFL’s annual Indigenous Round set down for Round 9, White said Darwin’s TIO Stadium stood out like a beacon from “opposition’’ states attempting to secure the Richmond-Essendon game.

“Melbourne is definitely out, so the AFL will have to look at Perth, Darwin, Brisbane and even Alice Springs,’’ the three-time Brisbane premiership player said.

“We’re talking about a huge game of footy where people will come from far and wide if they are given enough notice to get to Darwin.

“It’s right up there with the Indigenous All-Stars games we used to play, where it will be a great day on the Territory’s sporting calendar.

“Playing a Dreamtime Game as part of Indigenous Round in a part of Australia where a lot of indigenous people live makes a whole lot of sense for a lot of reasons.

“It’s why the AFL should seal the date and lock in the game sooner rather than later to give the fans a chance to get to Darwin.’’

White said the appearance of Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin, the Tiwis’ Daniel Rioli and Essendon’s Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti on the hallowed turf of TIO Stadium with all of its history and indigenous culture made it a game for the ages.

“Both sides will be wanting to put on a good show, regardless of where they sit on the ladder and there’s not a lot between them,’’ he said.

“In the past clubs have played in Darwin who haven’t had big followings, but Essendon and Richmond will change all that.

“Actually, it’s limited crowd numbers because of the room for fans at TIO that might hurt us getting the game.

“Darwin or Perth are the favourites to host the game and the fact 30,000 fans can fit into Optus Stadium as opposed to 14,000 at TIO gives them a head start.’’

But White said Darwin’s immaculate virus record meant its time would come.

“Keep getting these breakouts and you could have 18 clubs in Darwin,’’ he said.

“Our COVID-19 history makes us a very viable option.’’