As the NRL edges into Darwin, does the AFL need to be more proactive in the NT?

As the NRL edges into Darwin, does the AFL need to be more proactive in the NT?

The Northern Territory government recently announced the Dolphins, the NRL’s newest team that entered the league in 2023, would play a home game at TIO Stadium in Darwin every year from 2026 to 2028. The Dolphins deal replaces a 12-year partnership between the NT and the Parramatta Eels, which ran from 2014 to 2025. The NRL announcement came soon after the AFL’s Gold Coast played two “home” games at TIO Stadium during Sir Doug Nicholls Round, wh…

As the NRL edges into Darwin, does the AFL need to be more proactive in the NT?

Darwin will be the only capital city in Australia without an AFL or NRL team when the Tasmania Devils join the AFL in 2028 as its 19th team.