The deadly COVID-19 virus could be a big plus for the NT with plans to move AFL games north

DARWIN’S TIO Stadium is poised to host a feast of AFL premiership matches away from the chaos the coronavirus pandemic is creating in the southern states

New Melbourne skipper Max Gawn celebrates with fans after the Demons beat Adelaide in their 2018 match at TIO Traeger Park in Alice Springs. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images

DARWIN’S TIO Stadium is poised to host a feast of AFL premiership matches away from the chaos the coronavirus pandemic is creating in the southern states.

AFLNT boss Stuart Totham has been in talks with head office in Melbourne about bringing up to six teams to the Top End to play a series of matches for premiership points.

The clubs will be based in Darwin for a month and go through the normal quarantine process before playing a round robin series of matches at TIO Stadium with or without spectators.

All of them will be televised live to a nationwide audience that embraces Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra.

Clubs like the Gold Coast, Brisbane, West Coast, St Kilda, Adelaide and Melbourne will be strong candidates with their links to the Top End.

Gold Coast spokesman Craig Rowston said the hub proposal had the full support of his club.

“We know the AFL might need to consider ways to get the remaining 144 games played and this could be a win-win for them and the Territory,’’ Rowston added.”

“The Suns want what is best for the Territory and we’ll work with the AFLNT to lobby for a raft of AFL games in Darwin.’’

Sports Minister Lauren Moss said her government will consider any proposals that help kickstart the economy in the wake of the virus.

“Our first priority is protecting Territorians from the coronavirus, so it (AFL games) would have to be at the right time and in line with health advice,’’ she said.

The uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 virus has meant the AFL is looking at a series of different fixture models when — and if — the normal season resumes later this year.

Totham said the relative “safeness’’ of the Territory in terms of the impact the virus has had in the north of Australia, was a big plus for Darwin.

“Things are very uncertain at the moment, but AFL headquarters is certainly across the hub concept and the role the NT can play,’’ he added.

“Head office is staying close to all the states and working their way through what really is a serious crisis.

“What has been really pleasing is the solidarity within the industry across the clubs and state leagues on how we need to protect the game and our people.

“The AFL is looking at how they will position the competition depending on starting points and every other factor associated with it.’’

Totham said the two Territory fixtures pencilled into the 2020 draw before COVID-19 made its presence felt were still on the drawing board.

“Our two games — Melbourne v Adelaide in Alice Springs and Gold Coast v St Kilda in Darwin — are still right in the mix depending on how the season plays out,’’ he said.

“It’s because the Territory’s a safe place at the moment and we hope it continues that way.

“We’ve been in contact with head office about playing a carnival or hub concept of four or six teams playing matches in Darwin for a month and beaming them into the southern states.

“We want to bring as much AFL football to the Territory as we can and if it’s two games, that’s great, but if the hub concept gets off the ground, even better.’’