The AFL today announced that it had reached agreement with the Northern Territory Government, the Melbourne Football Club and AFLNT to stage four Toyota AFL Premiership matches in the Northern Territory over the next two years.

The Melbourne Football Club will play two Premiership matches in the Northern Territory in both the 2015 and 2016 seasons - one game in Darwin and a second game in either Alice Springs or Darwin each year.

The renewal comes at the completion of the existing agreement that has seen Melbourne play in the Northern Territory for the past five years including this Saturday’s Round 16 match against Fremantle at Darwin’s TIO Stadium. 

AFL General Manager - Broadcasting, Scheduling and Major Projects, Simon Lethlean, said: “As part of the AFL’s national footprint we are committed to taking AFL matches to all corners of the country and we’re delighted to be staging two games in the Northern Territory as part of the 2015 and 2016 Toyota AFL Premiership Seasons.

“Next year will see the Melbourne Football Club play in Darwin for the sixth consecutive season, along with a further match in Alice Springs or Darwin – TIO Traeger Park in Alice Springs of course having successfully hosted the region’s first ever AFL Premiership match in Round 11 earlier this year.

“The outstanding support from the Northern Territory Government is greatly appreciated and ensures the continued growth of the game by bringing the AFL’s best players to a region that has longstanding links to Australian Football and is culturally significant to this country’s Indigenous code.

“We congratulate the Melbourne Football Club for embracing the opportunity to engage with fans in the Territory and appreciate the additional support provided by AFL NT in making these matches such a highlight of the Toyota AFL Premiership Season,” Mr Lethlean added.

NT Minister for Sport, Recreation and Racing Matt Conlan said: “This is a fantastic win both for the Territory and the game.

“Territorians will continue to experience the thrill of seeing AFL stars in action live at local venues, and the Melbourne Demons will keep building support in the NT as their second base, playing two home Premiership games a year in the Territory.”

Round 16 of the 2014 Toyota AFL Premiership Season this week sees Melbourne play Fremantle at Darwin’s TIO Stadium on Saturday July 5 (7.10pm) - tickets can be purchased online from www.ticketmaster.com.au or at the gate.