Fremantle chief executive Simon Garlick backs Alice Springs as a Sir Doug Nicholls fixture
Itβs become a major highlight on the footy calendar, but should the annual Red Centre match be an official part of the Sir Doug Nicholls Round? Leaders from both Melbourne and Fremantle have their say.
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Fremantle chief executive Simon Garlick says he would love to see the annual Red Centre clash play an official part of Sir Doug Nicholls Round in the future.
Though a rival club has disagreed with the idea.
Speaking to this masthead at the Dockers’ captains run on Saturday morning at Alice Springs’ Traeger Park, Garlick said his club had been looking forward to the game against Melbourne ever since the fixture dropped.
It will be the Demons’ 10th match in Alice Springs and the Dockers’ first.
However, Garlick would love to see the game play a part of the official celebrations of Indigenous Australia’s contribution to the game.
Sir Doug Nicholls Round kicked off in Round 10 in Darwin with the Gold Coast Suns smashing Geelong by 64 points, with a further game in Round 11 in the capital city.
“I think that would make a heck of a lot of sense,” Garlick said.
“We’ve got people from the remote communities coming in and using this as a bit of a meeting point … tie it into the celebration of the Sir Doug Nicholls Round, it would be a really logical move if it can work from a fixturing perspective.”
However, Melbourne chief executive Gary Pert was not of the same mind, saying instead the match should remain a standalone fixture.
“I see it as a bit separate,” Pert said.
“I see the Doug Nicholls Round as being .. where all clubs celebrate the game, and get to celebrate their current and historical players, I think we do that really well.
“This is the most authentic game (of the year), I don’t need to see it directly involved (in the round).
“I think this performs a different function.
“It really is a drawing point of so many people … flying in, long drives, they get want to be part of it.
“It doesn’t need to be caught up in that same week of celebrations because I think it stands on its own and it’s strong enough on its own.”
Meanwhile, Garlick said the Dockers saw the NT experience as a great way to freshen up amid the grind of AFL football.
“There’s a real level of excitement among the group, the travelling party,” he said.
“We’re so used to the routine of an AFL season, going to the traditional stadiums and big colosseums.
“There’s that novelty factor, so we’ve got to get the balance right.
“It’s a bit of a break from the standard, normal routine that we have. Having that variation is a really positive thing for us.
“We saw this as a massive positive as soon as it dropped.”
Garlick was particularly impressed with the standard of the surface, too.
“This is as good as any I reckon in the AFL network,” he said.
“It’s a really even surface too with a spectacular backdrop.
“It comes up really well on TV and even better when you’re here.”
To prepare, the club took a virtual tour through the change rooms and ground before flying across to Alice Springs.
The Demons CEO was also looking forward to the match in Alice Springs, where they have called home for the past 10 years.
He said the annual game had been warmly embraced for 10 years by Melbourne and there was “real anticipation” amongst its players and staff.
“They look forward to it,” Pert said.
“We see this as a real home ground advantage, we’ve played here so often.
“I know we have other games as a celebration, more broadly of the Indigenous game.
“But this is a real authentic Indigenous community game.
“I would encourage supporters from any club to come up, this is the true celebration of an Indigenous football community.
“Bringing the game … to a local ground where they get to connect with their heroes.”
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