BulldogBelle
13-07-2009, 10:56 PM
Update....
Well by reading this article looks like both the Dogs and Melbourne will play a home game each at Mararra next season and the Dogs to possibly continue playing a home game in Canberra...
Darwin to host Melbourne Demons at Marrara Oval (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25778490-19742,00.html)
The Herald Sun
Mark Stevens | July 14, 2009
THE AFL has pencilled in Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs for "home" games in Darwin next season. Under an extended commitment to the Top End expected to be confirmed soon, both clubs are poised to play Port Adelaide at Marrara Oval.
It will be seen as a three-way win for the clubs, which continue to explore new ways to improve their bottom lines.
The Dogs and Demons are each likely to pocket as much as $400,000 for the transferred home games.
Port Adelaide, which has a strong indigenous connection, will get the chance to develop a significant footprint in Darwin.
The AFL scheduled only one premiership game in Darwin this season - the Round 12 Bulldogs-Port Adelaide clash.
Melbourne, which sold one game to Canberra this year, had been keen to play two games in Darwin and make major inroads into the community.
But it is understood Melbourne is content to take the option of one, with an eye to forming strong links in the Northern Territory.
Two of those playing in the club's win against Port Adelaide on Sunday, Aaron Davey and Liam Jurrah, hail from the Northern Territory.
It remains unclear if the Demons will sell another home game next season, but Canberra would loom as the obvious choice.
Confirmation the club is on track to play the Power in Darwin is timely given the events of Sunday.
Fewer than 16,000 fans turned up to see the Demons beat the low-drawing Adelaide club -- a financial flop for Melbourne.
The advantages of playing the same game in Darwin are obvious, with the NT Government dangling a large financial carrot.
With an official announcement that the Dogs will maintain a link with Darwin inevitable, it is less likely the club will move home games to Geelong's Skilled Stadium.
The Dogs have met City of Greater Geelong officials, but the AFL was cool on the idea of clubs selling games to traditional markets.
Canberra again looms as the likely second venue, with the Dogs believing they need to sell two home games to make up for their deal at Etihad Stadium.
Melbourne is likely to push to extend its commitment to Darwin in the future given recent comments by chief executive Cameron Schwab.
Rather than fly in and out and have minimal community involvement, the Dees have pledged to follow Hawthorn's Tasmanian model and make a significant push into the region.
Well by reading this article looks like both the Dogs and Melbourne will play a home game each at Mararra next season and the Dogs to possibly continue playing a home game in Canberra...
Darwin to host Melbourne Demons at Marrara Oval (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25778490-19742,00.html)
The Herald Sun
Mark Stevens | July 14, 2009
THE AFL has pencilled in Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs for "home" games in Darwin next season. Under an extended commitment to the Top End expected to be confirmed soon, both clubs are poised to play Port Adelaide at Marrara Oval.
It will be seen as a three-way win for the clubs, which continue to explore new ways to improve their bottom lines.
The Dogs and Demons are each likely to pocket as much as $400,000 for the transferred home games.
Port Adelaide, which has a strong indigenous connection, will get the chance to develop a significant footprint in Darwin.
The AFL scheduled only one premiership game in Darwin this season - the Round 12 Bulldogs-Port Adelaide clash.
Melbourne, which sold one game to Canberra this year, had been keen to play two games in Darwin and make major inroads into the community.
But it is understood Melbourne is content to take the option of one, with an eye to forming strong links in the Northern Territory.
Two of those playing in the club's win against Port Adelaide on Sunday, Aaron Davey and Liam Jurrah, hail from the Northern Territory.
It remains unclear if the Demons will sell another home game next season, but Canberra would loom as the obvious choice.
Confirmation the club is on track to play the Power in Darwin is timely given the events of Sunday.
Fewer than 16,000 fans turned up to see the Demons beat the low-drawing Adelaide club -- a financial flop for Melbourne.
The advantages of playing the same game in Darwin are obvious, with the NT Government dangling a large financial carrot.
With an official announcement that the Dogs will maintain a link with Darwin inevitable, it is less likely the club will move home games to Geelong's Skilled Stadium.
The Dogs have met City of Greater Geelong officials, but the AFL was cool on the idea of clubs selling games to traditional markets.
Canberra again looms as the likely second venue, with the Dogs believing they need to sell two home games to make up for their deal at Etihad Stadium.
Melbourne is likely to push to extend its commitment to Darwin in the future given recent comments by chief executive Cameron Schwab.
Rather than fly in and out and have minimal community involvement, the Dees have pledged to follow Hawthorn's Tasmanian model and make a significant push into the region.