Pictures: Melbourne Demons vs GWS Giants in Alice Springs
Alice Springs footy fans have rallied through rain and mud, with some travelling hundreds of kilometres to watch the Melbourne Demons and GWS Giants at Traeger Park. See all the pictures.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Cold and dreary scenes have greeted Alice Springs footy fans ahead of the long-awaited Melbourne v GWS game at Traeger Park.
The wet weather didn’t deter crowds though, with a line at the box office with 20 minutes to go until bounce off and plenty of kids in rain boots enjoying the puddles and mud.
Rain was previously expected to clear before the afternoons bounce off, but it was still sprinkling intermittently throughout the first half of the match.
Daniel Gallagher and Bess Bolton were part of a large crew that made the journey into Alice Springs from Nyirripi, about 440km from Alice Springs.
“We are huge Melbourne fans, big Melbourne fans,” Mr Gallagher said.
Closer to home, one Alice Springs father said it was a “good experience” to bring the kids along too.
“The weathers a bit dismal but we’ll get through it.”
Everything you need to know about Melbourne vs GWS in Alice
It comes as the third AFL match held in the NT this AFL season following the Gold Coast Suns’ double-header against the Bulldogs and Adelaide.
There’s plenty of chances for footy fans to watch their heroes in action before the big day with both clubs to participate in open training sessions on Saturday.
The GWS open training session will take place at Traeger Park from 1pm Saturday, which will give people the chance to meet players, win tickets and grab a giveaway.
Then it’s the Demons’ turn to take over Alice’s main ground taking part in a development clinic from 2.30pm to 3.30pm, prior to their own captain’s run.
There will also be giveaways and tickets sales at Yeperenye Shopping Centre and in Todd Mall between 9.30am and 11.30am, Saturday.
Melbourne will also send representatives to Yuelamu and Santa Teresa where residents from communities will take part in activations, games and a footy carnival.
The club has had a close connection to Santa Teresa ever since its commitment to ensuring grass at the community’s oval, a project which was completed in 2021.
Tickets for the game are on sale now at Ticketmaster, with the on-field action kicking off from 1.50pm on Sunday.
Melbourne Football Club chief executive Gary Pert said the Alice Springs game was one the whole club looked forward to each season.
“We see Alice Springs as a home away from home and can’t wait to return,” he said.
It’s an opportunity to not only showcase our club, but bring elite AFL football to a community of incredibly passionate supporters.
“We’re really proud of our meaningful connection to the region, and the relationships we have formed with the local community.”
Major Events Minister Paul Kirby said Melbourne’s commitment to the Red Centre made their annual visit about so much more than a game.
“Bringing AFL to the Territory is about much more than simply a football match. As we saw with the Santa Teresa Oval project, the actual football game is just the tip of the iceberg,” Mr Kirby said.
“Melbourne’s continued connection with communities across the Red Centre is just as important as the game they play, providing support, training and inspiration to a wide range of people.
“The regard with which Melbourne is held in the Red Centre is clear when you see how many people wear their colours, and turn up to watch the game.”
HACKED: Major amateur sporting club’s Facebook page hijacked
After hackers commandeered their page with more than 250 bizarre posts in 25 days, a Top End sports club is calling for Facebook to finally take them seriously.
Live stream: How to watch St Mary’s v Districts in Round 8
Can the champs stop the Crocs juggernaut? Southern Districts are flying high, but they likely haven’t faced an opponent of this quality yet this season. Find out how to watch the match LIVE.