The best of the south and north will collide when a CAFL rep side takes on NTFL premiers Waratah in a historic AFL curtain raiser.
For the first time in over a decade a CAFL representative side will be formed to take on NTFL premiers Waratah in what promises to be an epic AFL curtain raiser at TIO Stadium.
The match will be played on June 3 as a curtain raiser for the Gold Coast Suns second Darwin match against the Adelaide Crows.
It comes after a VFL match was confirmed as the curtain raiser for the Suns match against the Western Bulldogs for May 27 at TIO Stadium.
The CAFL, which is now back to normal operations after a three-month standoff with the Alice Springs Council, has a rich history of on-field champions.
Former North Melbourne player and AFLNT Academy coach Matt Campbell will coach the CAFL rep side in their first outing since 2008.
“It’s a massive opportunity for local players to showcase not only their talent, but also the talent across the CAFL,” Campbell said.
“Being able to pull on the CAFL guernsey for the first time in a long time will be a great recognition for players and will bring lots of excitement.”
They will take on Waratah, who finally broke their 23-year NTFL premiership drought in March after beating minor premiers Southern Districts.
The CAFL won by 60 points last time these sides met at Anzac Oval in 1967 with Lenny ‘The Bear’ O’Brien and Surfy Battista judged the best on ground on the day.
And while Waratah are off-season, with a lot of their players playing interstate, coach Ryan Ayres his squad would be taking the match seriously.
One of the big connections between the two squads is Abe Ankers who has long been a stalwart of both Waratah in the NTFL and Federal in the CAFL.
“We have strong connections through Alice Springs and know how proud they are of their competition,” Ayres said.
“Our players will enjoy being part of the AFL stage, and seeing the CAFL logo back in representative duties.”
Head of AFLNT Sam Gibson welcomed the CAFL rep side back for what promised to be an exciting match.
“Representative fixtures are a great way to showcase and celebrate the clubs, leagues and communities that are at the forefront of community football across the NT,” Gibson said.
“We saw it last year with a fantastic game between teams from Gove and the Tiwi Islands and we’re really excited to see it this year with the CAFL taking on Waratah.”
Further information around match times and ticket information will be released in the coming weeks.
Originally published as CAFL representative side to play NTFL champions Waratah in AFL curtain raiser at TIO Stadium