TONIGHT'S match between the AFL Indigenous All-Stars and Richmond in Alice Springs has been cancelled, the AFL has announced.
The game had been transfered to Alice Springs' Traeger Park from Darwin last week following heavy rains in the Northern Territory capital making Marrara Oval unsuitable.
But the after effects of Cyclone Yasi, which hit the east coast earlier on Thursday morning, is predicted to bring storm conditions and heavy rainfall to the Red Centre later tonight.
The match was in some doubt early yesterday, with the AFL considering yet another venue change, however the league opted to keep it in Alice Springs but had brought bouncedown forward by two hours for a 5.30pm (CST) start.
This is not the first time an AFL All-Stars match has been cancelled.
In 2001, with interest in reviving the concept growing, Carlton were slated to play the All-Stars in Darwin in 2002. Ironically, the state of Marrara Oval put paid to those plans, with the surface undergoing a $2.1m overhaul.
Later that year, and after the overhaul at Marrara, the AFL and NT Government announced plans to hold the game early the next year, which happened in February 2003.
DARREN MONCRIEFF
Friday, February 4, 2011
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Last Modified on 04/02/2011 15:20