Dees and Freo fans turn out in droves to watch teams train at Traeger
Dee’s fans have made their presence known in the Red Centre, with more than 100 turning up to catch their favourite player and share their predictions for tomorrow. Did we snap you? Check out our gallery.
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June 1, 4pm: Demons fans have turned out in droves to see their club train in the Red Centre ahead of their clash with Freo.
The Melbourne Demons men’s side flew into Alice Springs at 11.30am and headed straight to Traeger Park to train and meet some fans.
Around 150 people showed up to see the side train, any many stuck around to get an autograph from their favourite player.
Earlier in the day, the Dockers hit the field and meet up with their Red Centre counterparts – the Arlparra Dockers, who travelled more than 3 hours to see them.
Demons fans gave NT News their predictions on how they think tomorrow’s game will go.
Fremantle meet Arlparra Dockers at Traeger, Demons men’s team land in Alice Springs
June 1, 12pm: One Red Centre footy club has gotten to meet their AFL counterparts at a special signing at Traeger Park, while earlier on the day the final piece of the puzzle landed in Alice Springs airport.
Players from the Arlparra Dockers travelled more than three-and-a-half hours into Alice Springs to meet the Fremantle Dockers as they trained ahead of their clash with the Melbourne Demons tomorrow.
Arlparra Dockers president Esau Nelson said it was great for the kids to be able to meet players from the Western Australian side.
“I’ve supported Fremantle football club for many, many years now, and my daughter is supporting (them) too, and my sons also,” he said.
The Arlparra Dockers also gifted Fremantle player Michael Walters a boomerang, and guernsey for the club to take back to Perth.
Fremantle Football Club President Chris Sutherland said that the club’s grateful to see Arlparra make the journey out.
“It’s been fantastic seeing the Arlparra Dockers … they’ve been a Docker town, a Docker community for 30 years,” he said.
“To see all that purple hair around the oval, I’m sure it gives the boys a lift.”
Earlier in the day, the Melbourne Demons mens side touched down in Alice Springs.
Captain Max Gawn said he loves coming to Alice and was excited to get to Traeger Park.
“We got a wet patch last year which was a bit annoying but it’s nice and clear at the moment so looking forward to it,” he said.
“Hopefully we continue on our form that we bought out against the Saints and we can deliver against the Dockers.”
Fremantle Dockers land in Alice Springs Airport ahead of clash with Demons
May 31: The Fremantle Dockers have touched down in the Red Centre ahead of their clash with Melbourne at Traeger Park.
The Dockers flight arrived early on Friday, May 31, with team getting straight on the bus and heading to their hotel.
Freo fan Shannon Bell had travelled all the way from Bedfordale – in Perth’s eastern fringes – to come and catch his team in the Red Centre.
Mr Bell had the utmost confidence his team were going to win at Traeger when asked about the outcome of Sunday’s game.
“Dockers – definitely,” he said.
He said it was his first time in Alice Springs, and he was looking forward to the game.
“Obviously this is Melbourne second home so a bit intimidating, but looking forward to it,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Ltyentye Apurte (Santa Teresa) came alive with footy as stars from the Demons travelled down to the community.
Atyenhenge Atherre Aboriginal Corporation female chairperson Clare Young said it was great to see the town come alive with footy.
“It’s really good seeing them (the kids) enjoy themselves on this day,” she said.
She said it was great to see so many girls getting involved, as traditionally Aussie rules football was always viewed as a “men’s game.”
Ltyentye Apurte football youth team leader Robert Kopp said girls playing footy has “taken off like a house on fire” out in the communities.
“Usually it’s all the men but now all the girls are starting to step up,” he said.
“They play really well and it keeps them fit and active.”
Melbourne Demons get out to community ahead of Fremantle AFL clash
May 31: Some of the Melbourne Demons finest have travelled out to communities in remote Central Australia to impart their footy knowledge and skills to the locals.
Rain didn’t stop the Melbourne AFLW players from travelling to Yuendumu and Santa Teresa to get among the communities ahead of the Alice Springs AFL match between Melbourne and Fremantle.
Tyla Hanks, Sarah Lampard, Maeve Chaplin, Lily Johnson and Saraid Taylor were in the travelling party that got to the Red Centre early to fly the flag for the club before the men’s teams’ arrival.
Kysaiah ‘Kozzy’ Pickett and Shane McAdam were other early arrivals from Melbourne heading out to Santa Teresa before his club’s arrival on Saturday.
“It’s always great to come out here, it’s always enjoyable to see the little kids and them smiling,” Pickett said.
“It brings me a lot of happiness that I can bring so much joy, it’s another good way for me to give back so it’s very good.”
The group arrived on May 29 and made their way out to Yuendumu in the pouring rain the following day, before a trip to Santa Teresa for the first Women’s Kungkas Grand Final.
The grand final was fought out between MacDonnell Shire West and Hermannsburg (Ntaria), with the AFLW players on hand to inspire a big performance.
Chaplin said she was incredibly excited to get to visit the Red Centre and share her knowledge with the community in Yuendumu and Santa Teresa.
“We’re incredibly excited to be here in Alice Springs, we had the opportunity to visit Yuendumu and were so warmly welcomed,” she said.
“Our club has a strong connection to Santa Teresa too, so we’re all really looking forward to meeting everyone, seeing the grassed oval and hopefully bringing some smiles to the kid’s faces.”
AFLW teammate Johnson said they had a great experience getting around the locals, and enjoyed the warmth they had received.
“It’s been such a great experience so far,” she said.
“We were able to visit the local school in Yuendumu where we played games and talked about the values of both the school and the club.
“We’re looking forward to seeing some more kids, hopefully making the most of the grassed oval in Santa Teresa and having a kick of the footy.”
The Fremantle Dockers were set to touch in Alice Springs on Friday evening.
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