The AFL’s Dreamtime Game is set to be moved 4000km north with an announcement expected soon

Bombers and Tigers to bring the Dreamtime Game to Darwin’s TIO Stadium as the COVID-19 pandemic rules out Melbourne

Richmond superstar Dustin Martin will be a major attraction at Darwin’s TIO Stadium if the AFL’s Dreamtime Game comes to town. Picture: Michael Klein.

A DREAMTIME Game in Darwin has moved a step closer with the Top End becoming the spiritual — and logical — venue for the annual Essendon-Richmond clash.

The NT News understands a middle to late August fixture is under serious consideration from AFL bosses locked down in Melbourne because of the city’s worsening COVID-19 situation.

AFLNT officials remained tight-lipped on the traditional indigenous recognition game coming to Darwin when contacted last night.

But the fixture is on the AFL’s radar as a Darwin fixture as opposed to major arenas in Brisbane, Sydney, Perth and the Gold Coast.

The only negative in discussions is TIO Stadium’s spectator ceiling after the construction of the Michael Long Centre, estimated at a lowly 13,000.

A “Dreamtime at the T’’ game would be a fitting reward for Territory footballers who have mounted the big stage to play the national game.

Michael McLean, Maurice Rioli, Nathan Buckley, Michael Long, Darryl White, the three McAdam brothers Greg, Gilbert and Adrian, Mathew Stokes, Cyril Rioli, Andrew McLeod and the Davey brothers, Aaron and Alwyn, have all scaled the heights.

Add the Bowden brothers, Dean Rioli, Russell Jeffrey, Mark West, Xavier and Raphael Clarke, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Peter Burgoyne, Nathan Djerrkura, Richard Tambling and Willie Rioli Jr to that list and the Territory has been a major provider of playing talent to the AFL.

The move upwards of a Dreamtime Game being played at TIO Stadium comes with doubts on an extension of the two rostered matches in Darwin and Alice Springs.

But the AFL is still working towards a Gold Coast Suns home game at TIO Stadium and Simon Goodwin’s beleaguered Melbourne hosting a club at Traeger Park.

Playing dates and opponents for those two sides have not been announced despite St Kilda and Adelaide being named in the pre-COVID-19 draw.

The 14-day quarantine period and associated logistics on getting players, coaching staff, southern media and their cameras and recording equipment is seen as a major obstacle to making the trek to Darwin and Alice Springs.

But as one official who did want to be named told the NT News, “three is a lot better than two and hopefully that number will increase.’’

Meanwhile, the Suns have reinforced their desire to play annual games in Darwin, starting with the chaotic 2020 season.

“We’re proud of our four-year Territory partnership and remain committed to this season as long as it’s safe to do so,’’ club spokesman Craig Rowston said.

“We will be flexible with dates and work with the AFL, AFLNT and the NT Government to see what can be done.’’

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