I’d like to use this platform as a springboard to communicate an idea observed following the recent dreamtime fixture that saw Darwin host Richmond and Essendon at TIO Stadium.
The annual Sir Doug Nicholls round is an initiative aimed to celebrate and recognise the Indigenous community by promoting the belief of fairness and respect.
These values were abided by last night and it seemed fitting for it to be held at a venue in the heart of their land.
The picturesque Northern Territory landscape provided a backdrop to an enthralling battle between two Melbourne-based clubs, the glimpses of brilliance on display were magnified by the passionate fans.
What the crowd lacked in numbers they made up in volume.
It makes no sense to be scheduled at the MCG, a ground that is located thousands of kilometres away from their backyard. In terms of growing the game’s diverse outlook, this is the obvious next step the AFL needs to take.
By doing so, they can highlight the importance of embracing the Indigenous population.
Despite the attendance barrier limiting viewing compared to that of other venues, TIO stadium offers young Indigenous kids the opportunity to see their heroes first-hand. It is an opportunity not as accessible if it were to be played elsewhere.
The outcome rests solely with the AFL board to make this decision become reality and help shape the game by taking an inclusive stance on matters surrounding cultural significance.
It is hoped that in the not so distant future, Indigenous Australians will be gifted with the opportunity to attend a communal match designated towards raising cultural awareness on an annual basis at TIO Stadium.
Honouring the Indigenous community on a large scale will help to create a greater intercultural understanding by targeting the uneducated minority and changing behaviours/attitudes that will enable the cultivation of mutual respect.
This as a result will help to bridge the gap between society’s lack of recognition for Indigenous communities.
Additionally, the rescheduling of the fixture will help to alleviate the discriminatory actions constantly burdening the stars of our game by educating society on the impact of racism.
It’s no hiding away from the fact that this issue needs to be addressed and in the words of Eddie Betts: “celebrate what we do, but remember to celebrate who we are.”
What once was a temporary space of shared interests can become a permanent symbolic site of mutual respect that embodies Australia’s way of life.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
It will be a club that is an MCG tenant and will be a match involving an interstate club (so as to further reduce the games they get to play at the G).
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Who's home game will that be? It worked this year because of COVID limitations.
Reality check
Guest
They just need to get the capacity of the ground up to about 50,000 first.
DarwinDee
Guest
A big problem here is the heat. Even in the middle of dry season a game up here at night is taxing on the players, so much so that Melbourne requested a bye sceduled after their annual Darwin game (much like Port get a bye for forcing teams to play home games in China) but the AFL refused so Melbourne pulled the pin on Darwin. 1 week exactly after I decided to move here haha.
DarwinDee
Guest
Only offensive to the vast majority of the indigenous population who DONT live in the NT. How on earth did you come up with "where they all live"???? Have you never seen an indigenous person outside the NT? It feels like most of the current indigenous players on AFL lists come from WA anyway, not the NT (might be wrong on thst one tho)
Rob
Guest
They havnt existed for a couple of seasons now... which is a shame
DarwinDee
Guest
Unfortunately in a year where Victorian teams have been forced to relocate coupled with the fact we had two games sceduled for the season here anyway, and being without any doubt the SAFEST place in Australia, we still had to fight and lobby the AFL for the 3 matches we got. This is despite both Melbourne and Gold Coast working very closely with the NT government as well. It was awesome to have a Friday night game here followed by a huge annual event like Dreamtime here in Darwin - there was a great buzz around town... but it won't happen again unless we get another, or the current pandemic doesn't pass before next season.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
Paul your statement was incorrect aboriginals live right through our communities and I don’t care if you hate/dislike Victoria or the people so much that you need to attack them, the facts are you are wrong with your statement and I personally believe that Richmond and Essendon supporters have every right to watch their game which they buy a membership for at the MCG and if you don’t like it that’s fine mate, awesome great whatever but don’t question me and get it wrong.
Nico
Roar Rookie
Saw Richmond fans on a different site have a meltdown about such a proposal, given the taxing nature of Darwin games, and travel. Can’t say I blame them. I think to make it fair, AFL should play 3 games there for indigenous round, all teams rotating through fairly (6 teams each year). Don’t agree with sentiment that only smaller teams should be sent. What message does that send, that the NT doesn’t deserve to watch any top or large membership teams live? A rotation is fair, that way, each team plays every 3 years.
another paul
Roar Rookie
Yes cherry picking, because you went immediately to an extreme, talking about all matches should be in NSW and again now with your repetition of everything being wrong. You seem to have failed to realise that it's a lot more nuanced then that. Also I don't hate Victoria, I go for the bulldogs, just am tired of the negativity some people put out there at the idea of the AFL doing anything positive outside of Victoria
Cracka
Roar Rookie
No cherry picking you said and I quote you “. Rather then, you know, celebrating the aboriginal culture where they actually are, that would be ludicrous,” And I pointed out that you are wrong, are you saying my facts are wrong? I get it you hate Victoria being the home of football that’s cool your allowed to dislike Victoria no one is telling you to like Victoria or the people in it, but your statement is wrong and you need to except that you are wrong. When your wrong Paul your wrong… Wrong
another paul
Roar Rookie
"So for you Another Paul all games should be in NSW" Don't try to speak for me as you have clearly got no clue. All I did was call you out for doing the usual "FOOTY IS VICTORIAN" chant and trying to sound like everybody else is simply virtue signalling, when the definition of virtue signalling is saying or showing that you support something once but then not actually supporting it with your actions continually, which is the exact thing you advocated for. Now I realise that the AFL is in the business of making money and so they will likely follow your preferred choice because it just so happens that most of the time the business of making money is also the business of virtue signalling. As for your stats anyone can cherry pick stats. For example if you turn that into percentages suddenly the NT is on top. The point of my post was to say if we're celebrating the Aboriginal culture it makes sense to celebrate it somewhere their culture exists, that includes many places in Australia. NT 30.5 % TAS 5.5% QLD 4.3% WA 3.8% NSW 3.5% SA 2.9% ACT 1.8% VIC 0.9
Gary
Roar Rookie
Agreed. The AFL, and particularly the 2 big Melbourne clubs, don't want to lose a cash cow by having this 'event' at a small venue. I suspect the AFL will negotiate a smaller Melbourne club to sell a game to the NT to be played against a non-vic club, which would be low drawing in Melbourne. The big question is how do the AFL force a primetime nationwide fta broadcast... Thursday or Friday night? Or do they let it run head to head on foxtel? As much as the AFL trumpets fairness and equality, and that ARF is Australia's game, it values money and Melbourne privilege more... 2059 will be the next opportunity for a GF to be played outside Melbourne. Disgusting.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
Another head under a rock’ ‘Rather then, you know, celebrating the aboriginal culture where they actually are, that would be ludicrous, oh except for when Melbourne is stuck in a pandemic’ My friend Indigenous peoples live in Melbourne and Victoria, they don’t just live in Darwin, I think what you don’t understand, the game it self is for all Australians to celebrate. ‘celebrating the aboriginal culture where they actually are’ Some POP stats. 2016 NSW – 265 685 QLD – 221 276 WA – 100 512 NT – 74 546 VIC – 57 767 SA – 42 265 TAS – 28 537 ACT – 7 513 So for you Another Paul all games should be in NSW.
another paul
Roar Rookie
Except, when you say it like that, it seems like it is just the regular 85000 at a Richmond vs Essendon game celebrating footy in Melbourne and not wanting it to leave. And then enjoying the warm and fuzzy's of attaching the dream-time moniker to it. Rather then, you know, celebrating the aboriginal culture where they actually are, that would be ludicrous, oh except for when Melbourne is stuck in a pandemic.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
hmmmmm I think I will take 85,000 to 100,000 celebrating the dreamtime game at the MCG, completely disagree with the game being moved to Darwin because it makes some people feel warm and fuzzy, it was great to see it played in Darwin because of the current situation. Dream time is for all Australians to celebrate and to get an understanding of the Indigenous peoples.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
That may not be in their interests; with GC, Brisbane, Sydney and GWS moving to the VFL the NEAFL will be significantly weakened. The standard probably won't be much better than the VAFA or the strong country comps like Geelong.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
It’s gonna be interesting seeing what happens to the Nt Thunder with the merge of the NEAFL
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
I’d also make one more change, give the match to clubs that have a more storied history with indigenous players. I know essendon and Richmond have had their fair share of Aboriginal players but they’re not exemplary by any sense of the word. I think they should pick Fremantle who’ve had the most indigenous players of any club and Sydney because of their storied history with players like Adam goodes, and Micky O
Johnno
Roar Rookie
I agree.....but alternate the teams for the Darwin game. And for ANZAC, have a game in each state, Freo do a great Len Hall tribute.