World Footy News

All but the most fervent Melbourne and Port Adelaide supporters probably saw the scheduling of the Demons/Power encounter at TIO Traeger Park, Alice Springs, as a lesser match in the upcoming Indigenous Round. 

With a round that starts with a clash between Sydney and Geelong on Thursday 29th May, and then features the showcase “Dreamtime at the ‘G” clash between Essendon and Richmond on the Saturday night, one could be excused for missing the Demons v Power clash crammed in between.

Yet the AFLNT (AFL Northern Territory) may have snagged one of the fixturing coups of the year. Certainly the writers of the draw last year may well have been more carefully placing other games to maximise the impact of the indigenous themes to be played our across the nation throughout Round 11. But a close look at the ladder reveals some surprises which will be of enormous benefit to the people of Alice Springs and footy in the Northern Territory.

Since Ken Hinkley arrived at Alberton Oval to coach the Port Adelaide Power, they have fast become one of the fittest, fastest and most entertaining teams in the AFL. Data shows that they are one of the fastest starting teams in the league, and certainly the best finishers as they have run down almost all opponents in last quarter showdowns in recent times. It is not luck that sees them perched on top of the ladder one week out from the national Indigenous Round. They are a truly electrifying presence and will set TIO Traeger Park alight.

But the arrival of former Fitzroy and Sydney Swans player, and Swan’s premiership coach, Paul Roos to Melbourne has seen the Demons transformed from a largely uncompetitive outfit for the past few years to a team which has now won three of its games and put up a decent fight against almost all foes. There is nothing to suggest that the Demon’s won’t throw everything and more at the Power in front of an AFL loving crowd in Alice Springs on Saturday May 31st, commencing at 1.10pm. Demon’s fans are salivating at the thought of another upset win after knocking Richmond on the head last start.

The AFLNT have a number of media events arranged for the weekend, but it is the main show that will have people talking loudest. Regardless of the outcome of the football match, the real winners will be the people of Alice Springs and the Northern Territory, and the game in general throughout the territory.

This game marks the next phase of AFL Premiership matches scheduled for northern Australia, with the Demons playing the Fremantle Dockers at TIO Stadium in Darwin in their Round 16 clash to complete their three match Northern Territory deal for 2014 (they played Geelong in Alice Springs in the BAB Challenge pre-season series), before the Gold Coast Suns lock horns with the Western Bulldogs at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns in their Round 17 clash on Saturday 12th July.