PORT POWERS PAST MELBOURNE IN ALICE SPRINGS
TRAEGAR PARK was splashed in teal and red yesterday as thousands flocked to the oval for the third annual AFL fixture in Alice Springs.
Centralians jumped at the opportunity to see Port Adelaide and Melbourne lock horns in the Round 10 match and watched the Power take home the honours.
The 5146-strong crowd was given plenty to cheer about during the game, but saved the biggest roar for last when Alice Springs’ own Jake Neade slotted a goal in the final quarter.
Ross Park student Jack Knight, 10, was nestled on the boundary adorned in Power merchandise and enjoying the AFL action up close.
“It is really exciting to see them play,” he said.
The annual event has become a staple of the AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls indigenous round and it’s no secret members of remote communities live and breathe footy — showing up in force on the day.
The match followed Friday’s “Will Power” footy carnival, which featured more than 20 schools from the between the APY lands and Barkly.
The Ti Tree school kids were flying the flag proudly for the Barkly region.
Fregon principal Matt Green brought a throng of students on a fivehour bus trip from across the APY Lands.
He said there had been a huge rise in school attendance when showing up became a prerequisite for the footy trip.
“It is fantastic to be up here and a good way to get that connection across the lands,” Mr Green said.
“The kids have all been coming to school — some who usually wouldn’t come at all before.”
Power coach Ken Hinkley said there was a strong Port Adelaide feel in Alice Springs.
“I wish we could play here next week” he said jokingly.
“We’re really happy to come up here and we enjoy the environment, the locals look after us.”