Two of the AFL’s most exciting, emerging young teams will clash in a Darwin blockbuster with the AFL today confirming Carlton as the Gold Coast’s Round 13 opponent.

The Blues will play the SUNS on Friday, 21 August as part of Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

 “This will be the SUNS’ first game in Darwin as part of our four-year Territory partnership – and what a game to start with,” SUNS CEO Mark Evans said.

“We were pushing to play on the big Friday night stage against a big Victorian club and the AFL has given us exactly that. It’s a fantastic result for the Territory. 

“Our Friday night clash in Darwin in front of thousands of footy loving locals will be huge and then the Saturday night Dreamtime game speaks for itself.”

Evans said the SUNS had worked with the NT Government and AFLNT to lobby the AFL for the SUNS v Blues and the Bombers v Tigers Dreamtime games for Darwin. 

“Darwin is going to have an absolute blockbuster weekend of footy – millions of people will tune-in for these two games,” he said. 

“We are very proud of our partnership with the Territory. We want it to be more than just an annual game of footy and that’s why we helped lobby to get another game played in Darwin.” 

Evans said the Territory was the safest place in Australia when it came to COVID-19 and the AFL clubs will adhere to strict guidelines to ensure player, staff and community safety.

The SUNS will wear their 2020 Indigenous Guernsey for the match (pictured below), which can be purchased from the SUNS Shop.