North Adelaide v NTFL

[Wedgie]

From today's Advertiser:

Rooster roadshow
By DOUG ROBERTSON
04nov05

TREND-setting North Adelaide will play the best of the Northern Territory Football League in Darwin in February, in a pre-season trial with a difference.

The Roosters – who will have at least five former Northern Territory players in their squad next season – announced the game in Darwin yesterday.
To be played at Marrara Oval on February 4, the clash is a two-edged opportunity for North's players to bond in the pre-season and for the NTFL to get a guide on the standard of the SANFL.

The NTFL previously investigated the possibility of slotting a representative team into the SANFL but the idea was eventually shelved because the NTFL considered it was not ready for such a considerable commitment of resources.

The AFL has taken control of the NTFL and it offered North the opportunity to showcase the SANFL in Darwin. Norwood played the same role in 2000 in a trial against the NTFL while South Adelaide wanted to play one SANFL home match in Darwin for the next two seasons but the cost share could not be agreed.

"The AFL invited us to play because of all the work we've done here with the Aboriginal players," North coach Andrew Jarman said.

"So I expect us to put up a very good performance and I will be taking my very best 24 players to give them a bit of a reward for putting in the hard yards." Jarman, his brother Darren and several senior players will conduct coaching clinics in Darwin before the match, which has been sponsored by Darwin's Sky City Casino.

NT Thunder under-18s coach Damian Hale will coach the NTFL.

"I wouldn't call it a trial match, I'd call it a North Adelaide-NT grudge match," he said. "Maybe this can be the catalyst for getting an NT team in the SANFL."

[RoostersRuleTheWorld !]

Well done COCKS !

[Rooster_cracker]

great stuff i would love to go up their and see the match iv'e got friends up their.

[therisingblues]

Good luck to the Territory on their chances of joining the SANFL.
And good luck to them in the game. I wouldn't mind it if they upset the Cocks.

[Dogsbody]

Would like to see it on Fox Footy.

If a good size crowd shows up, it could boost the chances of them joining the SANFL.

[rd]

Hello Wedgie & everybody else - well done re this website. I really wish the NA/NTFL game is a huge success next year - state leagues footy needs games like this pre season to boost their fast-shrinking profiles. I've been boring everyone to tears over the past few years with my vision for a preseason comp - maybe the NA/NTFL match will open a few administrators eyes a bit !! If only Centrals could be persuaded to play the VFL premiers next year as well - ideally as the curtain raiser prior to a AFL pre season cup game.

[Dog_ger]

I think its always a plus to play up there, pre-season. If you can get close to a Territory side in Darwin around February, you will have a good season. Hurry up February..! Hurry up Footy.

[RoostersRuleTheWorld !]

Go COCKS !

[westcoastpanther]

I bet North weren't as keen to go with South last year as they are doing it on their own. Get the foot in the door big time with potential recruits

[Wedgie]

I bet North weren't as keen to go with South last year as they are doing it on their own. Get the foot in the door big time with potential recruits

Probably not wcp as the AFL are paying for a lot of their expenses for this trip where I doubt they would have for a SANFL v SANFL game.
Just for the record North were more keen than any other clubs to go up there and beat South.

[Dogsbody]

Looks like we might get a chance to see this match on the box! Pay attention to the bit in bold...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUNDAY morning football returns to ABC television in February when Aunty provides delayed telecasts of NTFL matches.

The Sunday morning timeslot suits both parties, with the ABC showing the matches before scheduled programs and the AFLNT pleased no live games will be shown against the gate. A traditional and popular football fare in Territory households throughout the 1980s and '90s, ABC management has gone for a double barrelled approach when the NTFL returns to television screens on February 5, presented by Charlie King.

The representative game between the NTFL and North Adelaide will kickstart the coverage that continues through until the NTFL Grand Final on March 25 and the Tiwi Island decider a day later. While Northern Territory fans can watch a two-hour replay from 7-9am on Sunday, cable subscribers around the country can access the entire match on ABC2, the station's digital channel.

"That's a real boom for us,'' the Territory's ABC director Mark Bowling said yesterday. "The stars of tomorrow will be seen right around Australia and it's something we're really excited about. Now even more people will be able to see the NTFL and that includes people on remote communities who provide a lot of the players in the competition.''

The national head of ABC sport, Iain Knight, said his organisation was 'extremely pleased' to get Australian football back on ABC TV. "I know (showing the footy) is one of the most important cultural events of the Northern Territory,'' Knight said.

AFLNT chief executive Tony Frawley said the product of the joint discussions had produced an ``outstanding result'' for NT football. "The sponsors, clubs and supporters will all be happy with the result and the fact that our game will be shown right across the country,'' he said.

[Wedgie]

Don't know if that's a good thing if you get to see some of us North fans in the state we'll be in by that time of day/night!

[Dogsbody]

I gather that you and the rest of your crew are heading up for the game?

[Wedgie]

I gather that you and the rest of your crew are heading up for the game?

Yeah got a heap of mates and last time I talked to the travel agent who's organising it he said at least 50 were probably going.

Great value too, $600 includes flights and accomodation, leave Friday morning, come back Monday arvo.
Direct flights alone are worth $600 and the place we're staying on the Esplanade near the middle of Darwin would normally cost $345 for the 3 nights.
Can't wait.
Few regulars from here going including Ian. Heaps of regulars from http://www.rocketrooster.com going. Should be great.

[Dogsbody]

That would be a sweet weekend... bet there's fishing on the agenda.

[Wedgie]

That would be a sweet weekend... bet there's fishing on the agenda.

Pfft, no time for fishing, current plan is (as I wont have the kids):

Friday: Drinking on plane, arrive in Darwin, drinking in Darwin, goto official function, unconsciousness
Saturday: Drinking in Darwin, goto footy game, more drinking, unconsciousness
Sunday: Drinking in Darwin, uncionsciousness
Monday: Early drinking in Darwin, drinking on plane, unconsciousness possibly on the plane, if not at home

Also I've got 2 half uncles in Darwin I've never met so I might fit them in between the drinking and uncosciousness.

[Ian]

I gather that you and the rest of your crew are heading up for the game?

Yeah got a heap of mates and last time I talked to the travel agent who's organising it he said at least 50 were probably going.

Great value too, $600 includes flights and accomodation, leave Friday morning, come back Monday arvo.
Direct flights alone are worth $600 and the place we're staying on the Esplanade near the middle of Darwin would normally cost $345 for the 3 nights.
Can't wait.
Few regulars from here going including Ian. Heaps of regulars from http://www.rocketrooster.com going. Should be great.

I've been a bit slack, but I'm finally heading down tomorrow to pay the deposit for 2 tickets, can't wait, should be a sensational weekend

[Dogsbody]

That would be a sweet weekend... bet there's fishing on the agenda.

Pfft, no time for fishing, current plan is (as I wont have the kids):

Friday: Drinking on plane, arrive in Darwin, drinking in Darwin, goto official function, unconsciousness
Saturday: Drinking in Darwin, goto footy game, more drinking, unconsciousness
Sunday: Drinking in Darwin, uncionsciousness
Monday: Early drinking in Darwin, drinking on plane, unconsciousness possibly on the plane, if not at home

Also I've got 2 half uncles in Darwin I've never met so I might fit them in between the drinking and uncosciousness.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA... more time in unconsciousness than anything else. Such is the life of Roosters supporters, eh?

[Ian]

Supporters piss up palace

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/DRWES?&

Players palace

http://www.northernterritory.visitorsbureau.com.au/accommodation/skycity_darwin/beachside_resort.html

[Ian]

Finally went and booked/paid for the missus and I today, the travel agent said there is 45 confirmed, and looks like some of the SANFL hiarachy may be making the trip as well. Apparantly the game's being built up as huge in the Territory.
ABC in the NT will be broadcasting the game live on TV and Radio up there.