World Footy News

The Northern Territory’s desire to be a regular host of multiple AFL premiership games into the future received a huge boost tonight when the Melbourne Demons hosted the West Coast Eagles at TIO Stadium in the now regular Darwin AFL showcase match.

A crowd of 11,873 filed into the Northern Territory’s premier footy venue – an improvement on recent years and the 7th largest crowd at the venue for a sporting match. It is largest crowd at the venue for footy since 2007 when the Essendon Bombers took on the Aboriginal All-Stars. It is the largest Darwin crowd at an AFL Premiership match since 2006. The fact that nearly 12,000 fans came to watch would have delighted the AFLNT, and is a vindication of the AFL’s decision to continue to bring the highest level of the game to the Northern Territory capital.

This follows on from the crowd of just under 5000 people that attended the other Northern Territory fixture at TIO Traeger Park in Alice Springs in May between the Melbourne Demons and Port Adelaide Power.
The large crowd witnessed the West Coast Eagles record their 10th win of the season and control of second place on the AFL ladder. For the Demons, the loss keeps them consigned to 15th place on the ladder. Nevertheless, the Demons kept nipping at the Eagles’ heels most of the night until a six goal to one final term saw the Eagles cruise to victory.

The AFLNT can now work towards the 2016 season fixtures and build on tonight’s positive local support as it plans for a bigger and bolder future at TIO Stadium. Certainly the Territorian crowds are doing their part.

MELBOURNE 2.4 5.5 8.6 9.6 (60)
WEST COAST 5.4 7.8 10.14 16.18 (114)

GOALS
Melbourne: Dawes 2, Neal-Bullen 2, Tyson, Viney, Spencer, Garlett, Hogan
West Coast: Darling 5, Kennedy 2, Shuey 2, Cripps 2, Sheed, Hill, Sinclair, Le Cras, McGovern

BEST
Melbourne: Tyson, N. Jones, Vince, Watts
West Coast: Darling, Gaff, Naitanui, Kennedy, Wellingham, Masten, Sheed