The AFL has today announced that this year's Heart of the Nation game in Alice Springs will occur in Round 14 when Melbourne host St Kilda at TIO Traeger Park.
The match, scheduled for Saturday 29 August at 7:40pm EST (7:10pm local), continues Melbourne's long association with the Northern Territory and will be their 7th match in 7 years played in Alice Springs, while the Saints play a match in the NT for the first time in 30 years.
It will be the third AFL game in eight days for the Northern Territory, honoring the commitment the NT Government (NTG), AFL and clubs have to the region.
It follows two matches in Darwin in Round 13 that will feature the Gold Coast SUNS hosting Carlton on Friday 21 August at TIO Stadium, and the Dreamtime in Darwin game between Essendon and Richmond on Saturday 22 August at the same venue.
AFL General Manager of Clubs and Broadcasting Travis Auld said it was fantastic to return football to Alice Springs, adding another game to the Northern Territory fixtures.
"Three AFL matches across eight days in the NT is a great way to showcase the Territory to a national audience and fantastic for local fans to have the opportunity to get to a match." Mr Auld said.
"On behalf of the AFL, I would like to thank the NT Government for their ongoing commitment to football across the state. On the back of the two Darwin games it is fantastic to again play the Heart of the Nation game in Alice Springs.
"Our sincere thanks to the Seven Network who will hit the road immediately after the Dreamtime match in Round 13, and drive 1495km to Alice Springs to set up for the match a week later. Another great example of everyone in the industry working together to ensure the season continues."
AFL General Manager Social Policy and Inclusion Tanya Hosch said it will be significant event to the local communities in and around Central Australia who we know love their footy.
"What a great opportunity for the Central Australian community to be able to attend the game and proudly showcase what has become known as the Heart of the Nation Game on Arrernte Country ." Ms Hosch said
"The Melbourne Football Club has done a fantastic job over the last number of years in engaging the local communities and further embedding footy into the region."
Tim Watsford, CEO of NTMEC said it was an exciting time for footy in the Territory.
"This month the Territory is Football Territory. Top End fans are gearing up to watch the Gold Coast SUNS take on Carlton at TIO Stadium, followed by the Dreamtime in Darwin game between Essendon and Richmond the next day. Now we have Red Centre fans able to watch world-class footy in their own backyard thanks to the Alice Springs Melbourne v St Kilda fixture." Mr Watsford said.
"That means, out of 18 AFL teams, six of them will be here in the Territory this month. This is an opportunity like no other for Territorians to watch world-class athletes at play, and for the Territory to play a starring role on the national football stage."
Melbourne Football Club CEO Gary Pert said the club was proud to return to the Northern Territory.
"As a club, we're really excited to be heading back to Alice Springs this season,"
"We've developed a really strong connection with the community in the NT and I know the players love playing in front of the fans up there.
"Traeger Park feels like a home ground for us, so it's a great opportunity to get out there and showcase our game.
"We would also like to extend our thanks to the Northern Territory government for hosting this game through such challenging times."
Round 14:
Melbourne vs St Kilda
TIO Traeger Park (Alice Springs)
Saturday, August 29 740pm EST (710pm local)
The match will be broadcast by the Seven Network and Fox Footy as well as via Kayo and AFL Live Pass thanks to Telstra.
The remaining matches of Round 14 will be released in the coming days.