St Kilda set to face the Suns in 2020 Darwin AFL fixture

ST Kilda will play in Darwin against the Gold Coast Suns next year, making them the 11th team to play in the Top End.

Territory Saint Ben Long celebrates a goal against the Gold Coast Suns in Round 1 this year. Long could play his first game in front of his home crowd in 2020 Pic: Michael Klein.

ST Kilda will play in Darwin against the Gold Coast Suns next year, making them the 11th team to play in the Top End.

It is the first time the club will play in the Territory in 29 years.

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Seven News’Mark Stevensreported the Saints would add TIO Stadium to their list of playing venues in 2020, which will also see them play in Shanghai.

The NT News had earlier reported the Suns were set to play against a big Victorian club, with Essendon tipped by insiders, while Collingwood and Richmond pulled themselves out of the race early.

St Kilda’s Ben Long originally from the Northern Territory would hope to play his first AFL match in front of his home crowd, who he has recently been visiting in the Northern Territory.

Long, the son of Norm Smith medallist Michael Long and cousin of Hawthorn Champion Cyril Rioli last year headed a group of 3rd and 4th year players to the Northern Territory and the Tiwi Islands in a pre season camp.

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The full AFL fixture for 2019 will be released on Thursday.