WHEN Melbourne turned up to train at Traeger Park in Alice Springs on Friday, the atmosphere was unique.
The temperature was on its way to 28 degrees, the sound of a drill in the grandstand signalled last-minute arrangements being made, and a hundred or so locals ringed the ground.
None of it fazed Melbourne's unflappable key defender Tom McDonald.
"It's always nice to do something different," McDonald told AFL.com.au.
"As much as we like playing on the MCG, it's nice to rock up and it's 25 or 26 degrees."
With the McDonnell Ranges providing the spectacular backdrop the locals call Yeperenye, the caterpillar – an important cultural symbol for locals with indigenous heritage – the urge to switch off looms.
But McDonald is not concerned.
"[You] just need to focus come game time," McDonald said.
McDonald, who played at Traeger Park in the NAB Challenge game against Geelong, said the location has a country footy atmosphere.
"But the ground is in magnificent condition," McDonald said. "[It's] a massive oval. It's really wide, which allows free-flowing up-and-down footy, so it should be very nice to watch for the fans."
It's expected that the AFL's first game being played in Alice Springs for premiership points will be played in front of 7000 people on Saturday afternoon.
McDonald knows the 15th-placed Demons will need to be at their best to overcome the ladder leader, Port Adelaide.
The 21-year-old is full of admiration for the Power.
"I think they are fantastic story. Two or three years ago they were in a similar position to what we were," McDonald said. "[They are a] bit of a light for us to follow."
McDonald has emerged during that time, and with fellow key defender James Frawley being pushed forward, he has seen his responsibilities increase again in 2014.
"It's definitely been a big challenge for me. [I've] being given the number one tall forward for a lot of weeks and as much as I have enjoyed it, it's been a challenge," McDonald said.
"It forced a few players to take on a few match-ups and everyone is doing quite well out of it, but it has forced everyone to grow. I can't see that as a bad thing."
You sense he might be a touch envious of Frawley's forays forward, particularly given McDonald is yet to kick a goal in his first 48 games.
"I think it's been a good move for him [Frawley], but I'd love to have him back at some stage if he wants to," McDonald said.
