AFL, clubs, play cat and mouse on 2020 Darwin fixture

LEAGUE and club officials are remaining tight lipped over who will face the Gold Coast Suns in Darwin next year, pushing the focus away from each other

The question on every Territorian’s and Gold Coast supporters mind: just who will be playing the Suns in Darwin in 2020 Picture: Daniel Pockett

LEAGUE and club officials are remaining tight lipped over who will face the Gold Coast Suns in Darwin next year, pushing the focus away from each other.

In a game of cat and mouse, League officials directed questions tailored for them towards clubs, while a Gold Coast Suns spokesman said questions were best directed to the league and the club wasn’t in a position to discuss the club’s fixture next year, including the proposed Darwin home game.

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The Essendon Bombers remain poised to face Gold Coast in next year’s match after this year’s finalists and two of the league’s biggest clubs in Collingwood and Richmond said they would not be involved in next year’s AFL match.

The Bombers have strong historical and current links to the Territory through 1993 Norm Smith Medallist Michael Long and current player Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti who originates from the Tiwi Islands.

The club historically taps into the Territory’s indigenous cultures as well, with four time premiership coach and club coach of the century Kevin Sheedy has long advocated and strived to give indigenous Australian’s a stronger pathway to the AFL.

The winner of the AFL’s annual indigenous themed Dreamtime at the G match takes home the Kevin Sheedy Trophy, such is Sheedy’s stature.

AFLNT previously said the would work with all clubs scheduled to appear on Territory ovals in 2020 and beyond.

“Arrangements for AFL matches in the Northern Territory are between the AFL and Northern Territory Government (NTG), and while final details are being worked through, AFLNT looks forward to working with any club that plays in the NT,” chief executive Stuart Totham said.

“We welcome the work being carried out by the NTG and AFL, who are committed to bringing the elite game to our community.”

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While not from Victoria, fellow finalist Greater Western Sydney Giants have entered the frame as an outsider to play in Darwin.

If scheduled, the Giants would play away against fellow expansion club Gold Coast in a grudge match between the League’s two newest clubs.