All five teams named for the three big AFL matches set to be played in the NT in 2022

AFL in the NT will be back in 2022 with three massive matches including two to be played in Darwin and a third destined for Alice Springs.

UPDATE: TWO more AFL teams have been confirmed to be coming to the NT for the 2022 season.

North Melbourne and Port Adelaide are the latest sides to be confirmed as coming to the NT following the announcement that Gold Coast, Melbourne and Hawthorn would be earlier this week.

The Gold Coast will play two matches at Darwin’s TIO Stadium against Hawthorn in the Sir Doug Nicholls round followed by a match against North Melbourne the following week.

Reigning champions Melbourne will host Port Adelaide at Alice Springs’ TIO Traeger Park in what is expected to be an action packed round 18 encounter.

The three matches come after the NT was unable to receive a match in the 2021 season due to the Covid pandemic.

Alice Sprinsg will host a blockbuster game between Melbourne and Port Adelaide in 2022. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos

EARLIER: AFL in the NT will be back in 2022 with three massive matches including two to be played in Darwin and a third destined for Alice Springs

The Top End missed out on its share of footy action in 2021 with the Covid pandemic putting any chance of an NT match to bed.

But in return the NT has received three big games for the upcoming season.

The Gold Coast will play a double-header of home games at Darwin’s TIO Stadium in Rounds 11 and 12. The Round 11 match will see the Suns face Hawthorn in the Sir Doug Nicholls round while the Round 12 opponent is yet to be confirmed.

Reigning champions Melbourne Demons will play a game at TIO Traeger Park in Alice Springs with the Round and opponent to be announced in the coming days.

Head of AFLNT Sam Gibson said it was great to receive three Territory games following an unfortunate year of no NT based AFL games.

“After an unfortunate year of no AFL footy in the Territory last year, we are excited to welcome back the Gold Coast Suns in 2022 to ensure Territory footy fans have the opportunity to watch elite games live in their backyard,” Mr Gibson said.

“Territorians have multiple AFL blockbuster games next year to look forward to and we hope they will get amongst it, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy.”

Gold Coast Suns chief executive Mark Evans was ecstatic to make a return to the NT as part of the partnership between his club and the region.

“We’re ecstatic that, as a football club, we’ll be able to get back to the NT in 2022 and play not one but two fixtures at TIO Stadium after Territorians missed out last year,” Mr Evans said.

“The playing squad will remain in Darwin in between each fixture in an effort to create a real festival of AFL football within the community over the two weekends.

“Playing against Hawthorn as part of the Sir Doug Nicholls Round and then again in Round 12 the following weekend will provide a great opportunity for fans to travel to the region and experience everything Darwin has to offer.”

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