Darwin embraces chance to watch Carlton take on the Gold Coast at TIO

DARWIN footy fans turned out in droves to watch the Gold Coast Suns face Carlton in the first of two Darwin-hosted AFL matches this weekend

Victoria Bonson, Rowan Bonson and Rowena Bonson looking forward to watching their Carlton side take on Gold Coast SUNS. Picture: CHE CHORLEY

DARWIN footy fans turned out in droves to watch the Gold Coast Suns face Carlton in the first of two Darwin-hosted AFL matches this weekend.

Benefitting from disruptions thrown up by COVID-19 it was Darwin’s chance to host Carlton for the first time since 2003 and the fans including member Barney Quall embraced the opportunity with open arms.

“We’re club members and this is our first opportunity to watch them play here since the All Stars game which was a fantastic game,” he said.

“To have them up in Darwin again is great and we got tickets as soon as we could.”

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Rowan Bonson, another long-time Carlton supporter, brought his two young daughters, Victoria and Rowena, along to the contest instilling his love of the team on them.

The Gold Coast weren’t short of their own fans with many turning out to see the side play their first home game in the northern city.

Hayley McLaughlin, normally an Essendon supporter, was among those coming along to watch a strong showing from her second team.

“It’s awesome to see an AFL game up here as it’s something you don’t normally get to see,” McLaughlin said.

“I’m actually an Essendon supporter but Suns will always be my second team and it’s just awesome to see them both up here.”

The Richmond and Essendon playing group involved in tonight’s AFL Dreamtime Game at TIO Stadium got a wet welcome at Darwin Airport yesterday.

The Aviation Rescue Firefighters doused the Virgin jet with twin sprays of water in what has become a traditional welcoming ceremony at the airport.

Firefighter Marius Clarke said his team only did the “water arch’’ on special occasions and the first Dreamtime Game in Darwin was an appropriate time to perform the waterworks.

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Four fully signed AFL jumpers will be auctioned at the St Mary’s Club in Marrara before the Dreamtime clash between Essendon and Richmond.

Each team will sign a prized club jumper for the 5.30pm auction.

The proceeds from the auction of the Gold Coast Suns, Carlton, Essendon and Richmond jumpers will go to the St Marys Football Club.