Head of AFL NT Sam Gibson says the SUNS and Western Bulldogs have arrived in Darwin ahead of their clash at TIO Stadium on Saturday, with big crowds expected for both of the SUNS’ games

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well, we know AFL is returning to the Top End
this weekend, the Gold Coast Suns playing two games in Darwin.
They're going to be taking on the Western Bulldogs at
TiO Stadium on Saturday and then they're going to be
facing off against Hawthorne next Thursday. Joining me on the
line is the head of AFL here in the Northern Territory,
Sam Gibson.

Speaker 2 (00:20):
Good morning, Sam, morning Katie, thanks having me.

Speaker 1 (00:24):
Oh good to have you on the show mate. When
do the teams arrive in the Top End or have
they all ready?

Speaker 2 (00:30):
Yeah? Today, so obviously they come in and trying to
climb it. Tell us a little bit before before Saturday,
so they'll be in and yeah, it's all about to
happen for the Suns. And obviously the Bulldogs have been
here before, so they know what to expect now.

Speaker 1 (00:47):
I know that whenever they're here, obviously need a bit
of a climatization. We feel like today is a beautiful
dry season day, but probably not so much for them.
But they get stuck straight into it, don't they. They're
out there in the community and well doing that engagement
before the games.

Speaker 2 (01:05):
Yeah, Look, they do a really good job engaging with
the community, the Suns in particular when they're here for
a week and a bit, which is which is great.
So yeah, adding to schools and doing different things with
the community, and look, they do have to look after
themselves as well. I mean Western Woodolls in particular, they
were playing in Balarette last week. So it's on extreme

(01:27):
to the other to the top end. But you know,
but we do think the clubs that come up and
try and give back as much as they can as
well as playing the game.

Speaker 1 (01:36):
How important is it not just to have the games
played here in the end, but obviously to have that
community engagement and you know, to have kids being able
to interact with these awesome players.

Speaker 2 (01:51):
We hold a febit of value around it. Obviously without
a team here ourselves, yet you know, having these games
come up is really important to be able to showcase
the elite, and particularly with the Suns. I mean they've
got a number of players who are territories on their
list and will be playing on the weekend and will

(02:13):
be out and about amongst the schools. So for people here,
we know a lot of people love their footy and
want to be able to see their kids go on
that journey for them to be able to see the
likes of Daniel Reali here in Darwin and interacting with
the communities is priceless really.

Speaker 1 (02:31):
Now in terms of the Suns taking on Hawthorne during
the Doug Nichols Round, remind us what that special round
does aim to celebrate.

Speaker 2 (02:42):
Yeah, so obviously so Nichols Round. It's a privilege for
us to be able to open it next Thursday night.
It's the round that celebrates Indigenous culture and everything that
Indigenous people have done and continue to do for the
game across the country. And as I said, you know,
we've we've we've privileged to have opened that for the

(03:02):
last couple of years and you know we've we know
that we've got big games like dream Time and the
likes and hopefully for the future for Darwin is that
we continue to be front and center. That's a that's
a massive TV audience on that Thursday night. You know,
all eyes are on Darwen and the Suns awform in

(03:23):
that particular night. So very special for us to be
part of it, and hopefully we can continue to be.

Speaker 1 (03:29):
It's awesome And I know the Sons have unveiled their
special edition Darwin Lariki are Indigenous Guernsey as well. I
understand it's inspired by the Nightcliff Jenny.

Speaker 2 (03:40):
Yes, yes, they look they've committed their indigenous Gernshi to
territory or here in particular over the last few years
and continue to find ways to represent different parts of
the territory in different cultural connections, which is awesome. And
they did a great job Gold Coast. They really have

(04:03):
integrated here really strongly over the last few years. We're
starting to see more Gold Coast hats and shirts and
stuff like that around town. So that commitment's paying off,
and yeah, great to see it reflected through the nightclif
Jety this.

Speaker 1 (04:17):
Year, Sam, how many people are we expecting to attend
these two matches at TiO and tickets still on sale?

Speaker 2 (04:26):
Yeah, tickets still are on sale Ticketmaster or through any
of the socials. You'll find those connections. I looked at
their big games this year, so we do expect big crowds.
I think we've got the current third, fourth and six
teams on the AFL Ladder playing here over the next
couple of weeks. So look, I think Saturday night probably

(04:47):
around eight or nine. It's a few other events that
night which spreads people around the place. But then Thursday night,
I think last year we had about twelve on the
Thursday night, so we're it's definitely expecting, are you know,
more than ten on next Thursday night? So I encourage
people to get here early, get their tickets and yeah,
make sure that don't miss out.

Speaker 1 (05:07):
Good advice well head of AFL here in the end,
Sam Gibson, good to speak with you this morning, mate,
have a good day.

Speaker 2 (05:15):
Thanks Katie, thank you.