FOR the first time since it was revived in 2003, the AFL's Indigenous All-Stars match has been moved from its 'spiritual' home in Darwin to Alice Springs.
The game, which will pit an AFL combined Indigenous side against Richmond, has also been brought forward by one day -- this Friday, February 4.
The match was moved from Darwin after heavy, seasonal rains making Marrara Oval unsuitable. AFL and AFL Northern Territory officials made the call to shift the game last week when measures to get the ground up to AFL standard failed.
The game at Alice Springs will be played at Traeger Park, the Red Centre's premier sports ground.
The ground is no stranger to top level football, having hosted several AFL pre-season NAB Cup regional challenge matches over the years.
Alice Springs' chance to host the All-Stars has come two years early, with the city due to host the biennial fixture in 2013.
Darwin had hosted the pre-season exhibition match at Mararra Oval since its inception in 1994 (vs. Collingwood), then in 2003 (vs. Carlton), 2005 (vs. Western Bulldogs), 2007 (vs. Essendon) and 2009 (vs. Adelaide).
DARREN MONCRIEFF
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Last Modified on 01/02/2011 15:04