Dees to Return to the Red Centre in 2022

[Demonland 64,361]

 

[Rab D Nesbitt 7,041]

I wonder if the third of those games might be a Gold Coast home game against us in Darwin where we could split the $800k between us. That way we each get $1.2 mill to play two games in the NT but we only have to give up one home game. 

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,095]

1 hour ago, Rab D Nesbitt said:

I wonder if the third of those games might be a Gold Coast home game against us in Darwin where we could split the $800k between us. That way we each get $1.2 mill to play two games in the NT but we only have to give up one home game. 

The second of those three NT games is GC V Hawthorn.

Doubt we'd make a cent out of an away game to GC in Darwin but you never know.

[Diamond_Jim 11,670]

We need to keep the Alice date rather constant for marketing purposes. Combining the trip with some time at the Rock etc requires bookings many months in advance not to mention airline bookings etc.

I had my flights and tickets all booked this year but we know what happened.

Will I head there next year... Maybe before I hit the world once again.

Properly marketed this game has the potential to be a national blockbuster TV wise. It would be great if in years to come it becomes an invitational game where other clubs fight to play in it due to the nationwide TV coverage.

From an NT perspective they need to do more to market it as an event week where people come for the week rather than just the night. While I hate tto think of it as such it could become a hot corporate ticket for the movers and shakers.

PS: Just remembered I still have my airline credits from this years failed trip. Perhaps I mght get some use out of them after all !!

Edited December 7, 2021 by Diamond_Jim

[Rab D Nesbitt 7,041]

2 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

The second of those three NT games is GC V Hawthorn.

Doubt we'd make a cent out of an away game to GC in Darwin but you never know.

Good to see Hawthorn being shunted up to the top end to play a game. I hope they get the 3.20pm Mothers Day slot at the G again too. How the mighty have fallen. 

My rationale behind us playing there relates to us also having a presence in the NT and the draw of having the reigning premiers come to town if we can split the coin with GC. It would go some way to making up for the money both sides lost from not playing in in the NT last year. Just an idea though. 

[binman 37,724]

1 hour ago, Diamond_Jim said:

We need to keep the Alice date rather constant for marketing purposes. Combining the trip with some time at the Rock etc requires bookings many months in advance not to mention airline bookings etc.

I had my flights and tickets all booked this year but we know what happened.

Will I head there next year... Maybe before I hit the world once again.

Properly marketed this game has the potential to be a national blockbuster TV wise. It would be great if in years to come it becomes an invitational game where other clubs fight to play in it due to the nationwide TV coverage.

From an NT perspective they need to do more to market it as an event week where people come for the week rather than just the night. While I hate tto think of it as such it could become a hot corporate ticket for the movers and shakers.

PS: Just remembered I still have my airline credits from this years failed trip. Perhaps I mght get some use out of them after all !!

I have been all over the world, but have never been to the Alice (or NT for that matter). 

I was going to go last year, and all things being equal plan to go to the game next season. And combine it with a holiday up there. 

Agree on making it a blockbuster. It sort of was the year 7 and the AFL put money into it, but it has tailed off since. But now that we are premiers, we have some serious drawing power and cred.

I reckon they should make it an annual game against the eagles. Two big clubs from opposite sides of the country. Both teams are likely to be in final contention for the next few years (the eagles more from a perspective of the advantage they get playing home it must be said), so the game will always have a lot riding on it. And both clubs have worked hard to build connections with aboriginal communities. 

Given we own their home ground, happy for us to play our home game against the Eagles at the Alice.

 

[Diamond_Jim 11,670]

53 minutes ago, binman said:

Agree on making it a blockbuster. It sort of was the year 7 and the AFL put money into it, but it has tailed off since

Yes I very much remember that year. BT did a very good job and the tree is now famous.

Why not make it a week of indigenous celebration with concerts, seminars you name it. Invite indigenous cultures from round the world to give input.

I can see logistics issues with one off events but that is just a challenge. I'm sure the Federal Government would kick in some money as would the big corporates.

[Satan 2,722]

No doubt a team trip to st teresa too to see the grassed oval

[binman 37,724]

55 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Yes I very much remember that year. BT did a very good job and the tree is now famous.

Why not make it a week of indigenous celebration with concerts, seminars you name it. Invite indigenous cultures from round the world to give input.

I can see logistics issues with one off events but that is just a challenge. I'm sure the Federal Government would kick in some money as would the big corporates.

Brilliant idea. 

[DeeZone 7,643]

22 hours ago, binman said:

Brilliant idea. 

 

23 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Yes I very much remember that year. BT did a very good job and the tree is now famous.

Why not make it a week of indigenous celebration with concerts, seminars you name it. Invite indigenous cultures from round the world to give input.

I can see logistics issues with one off events but that is just a challenge. I'm sure the Federal Government would kick in some money as would the big corporates.

That is a great idea DJ and bin man we would love to get up there in 2022 depending on timing of the game as we haven’t been to Alice yet, what is accommodation like when big events are on ?

[Diamond_Jim 11,670]

1 hour ago, DeeZone said:

we haven’t been to Alice yet, what is accommodation like when big events are on ?

I booked a nice airbnb last year (didn't get there unfortunately) but checking the main hotels a couple of weeks out they were fully booked. Not sure about the lesser hotel/motels.

Uluru which is about 5-6 hours from Alice was booked solid for months. June/July is peak tourist season for the Red Centre

 

[old dee 22,802]

On 12/7/2021 at 2:15 PM, binman said:

I have been all over the world, but have never been to the Alice (or NT for that matter). 

I was going to go last year, and all things being equal plan to go to the game next season. And combine it with a holiday up there. 

Agree on making it a blockbuster. It sort of was the year 7 and the AFL put money into it, but it has tailed off since. But now that we are premiers, we have some serious drawing power and cred.

I reckon they should make it an annual game against the eagles. Two big clubs from opposite sides of the country. Both teams are likely to be in final contention for the next few years (the eagles more from a perspective of the advantage they get playing home it must be said), so the game will always have a lot riding on it. And both clubs have worked hard to build connections with aboriginal communities. 

Given we own their home ground, happy for us to play our home game against the Eagles at the Alice.

 

Go you won't be disappointed.

[Jaded No More 57,584]

Have always wanted to go to NT and combine the trip with this game. 
The cost of going up there tho is just mind blowing. Can’t be justified after two hard years of lockdowns. 

[demons123452000 119]

If you havent been to the Alice make it a must. I had a son and his family live there for 5 years . I have that red dirt between my toes and cant get rid of it. i will be caravaning  next year and hope  to see the Dees play there just to top my trip off.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BDA 19,978]

I'd love to head to Alice. Would prefer to have better opposition that the Suns though. Us v Lions would be a great option

[Grapeviney 8,808]

On 12/7/2021 at 3:20 PM, Diamond_Jim said:

Why not make it a week of indigenous celebration with concerts, seminars you name it. Invite indigenous cultures from round the world to give input.

I can see logistics issues with one off events but that is just a challenge. I'm sure the Federal Government would kick in some money as would the big corporates.

It needs to be done the other way around - the footy needs to be scheduled to fit into existing events and festivals which are already established and a part of the tourism circuit.

Around Alice and the centre you have the spectacular Parrtjima Festival, which is in April next year.

For Darwin games it needs to be later in the season, in July-August, when the Garma Festival, the Indigenous Music Awards and the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair are all grouped together for the purpose of attracting visitors to multiple events. 

Then the clubs and AFL can look at offering package deals where you can mix and match for the itinerary you want. 

Unfortunately, as @Jaded No Morepoints out, travelling the NT can be wickedly expensive. 

Edited December 8, 2021 by Grapeviney

[Rod Grinter Riot Squad 5,636]

Got flights from Uluru to Melbourne for $90 a head, going down next week.

 

Its possible, but not easy, be flexible with your dates, fly into Uluru about a week before game, do a 4 day safari tour taking in Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings canyon and the West Macs (about $1000 for the tour) arrive in Alice for game…

 

Hotels last year were ridiculous because many were shut down and the Mercure (and others at times) taken for Covid isolations, similarly at Uluru, the lost most staff due to Covid shutdown and have still not got enough staff to open all the hotels at Yulara.

 

hopefully next year that will no longer be an issue.

 

The best event I saw here was about 5 years ago, we were playing Port, they bought up heaps of old players ;B Pickett one) and ran an awesome one day clinic for kids from the communities, miles better than anything I have seen from any other club

[Clintosaurus 6,394]

Game is Round 18 against Port.