Celebrate AFLW Indigenous Round this Saturday at Casey Fields

This weekend, Melbourne’s AFLW side will pull on a guernsey that holds great importance to the club and its players.

Designed by Demon Krstel Petrevski, a proud Indigenous woman from the Kija/Jaru tribe, the jumper will be worn in celebration of the AFLW’s annual Indigenous Round.

In its second year, the round acknowledges the significant contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to football and the wider sporting community.

While running out in the jumper holds extra meaning this week, players have had opportunity to pull on the guernsey already this year, as it’s featured as the club’s AFLW away strip.

The AFLW players chose to highlight the jumper more frequently in-season and therefore the royal blue edition of the original design was created. 

Match details

MELBOURNE V NORTH MELBOURNE

Date: Saturday 26 February 
Time: 7:10pm (AEDT)
Location: Casey Fields 

Indigenous Round Recognition

The Demons will host North Melbourne at Casey Fields for this weekend’s clash, with the club ensuring the Traditional Custodians of the land are recognised throughout its game day.

Ahead of the match, a Welcome to Country will be performed by Uncle Shane Clarke from the Bunurong Land Council, welcoming all visitors to the Casey region.

The coin toss will also hold significance with Amilia Havea, a proud Indigenous girl of the Casey region, doing the honours. 

Amilia has a particularly special relationship with Melbourne, writing and featuring in the club’s Acknowledgement of Country video, which is played ahead of each home game at Casey Fields.

Amilia’s brother will also be participating in the day as a member of the Indigenous Youth Dance group that will perform at quarter time. 

Both teams will partake in a cultural gift exchange prior to the match, with further activities and giveaways also organised.

Ticketing

Following the AFL's COVID-safe precautions, matches in the 2022 season will be once again fully ticketed.

Tickets are unable to be purchased at the gate, with fans needing to buy ahead of time.

So don't miss out and get your ticket today. Adult tickets are just $10 and under 18s go FREE (a free ticket must still be redeemed via Ticketmaster).

Arrive early

Gates open at 6.00pm and fans are encouraged to get in early to secure a prime spot. Don’t forget to bring a picnic rug or chair.

Parking is available in the Casey Fields precinct, while you can also catch a bus to the ground from Cranbourne Station. Check the PTV Journey Planner to map out your trip.

Activities and Giveaways

An array of activities have been organised for fans on game day, ensuring that supporters of all ages can get involved in the fun.

Before gates open, a community family pre-event will happen from 5:30pm outside the main entrance. This will include the City of Casey 360 Youth Bus, with video games and all kinds of kids’ activities. Family Footy for Fun sessions will also take place, while a BBQ (including halal and vegetarian options) and face painting will be set up.

For junior fans inside the ground, our Little Sport Heroes activities area will make a return for kids aged two to eight years. Seda Inflatables will also be at the ground with their handball and kicking targets, while Coles Healthy Kicks are providing a range of other fitness activities to enjoy.

The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation will have a badge-making station for all ages, where supporters will have the opportunity to sit down and get some amongst some arts and crafts.

Lastly, major club partner Zurich will be handing out hand sanitisers to help keep fans COVID-safe while enjoying the football.

Food and beverage

There will be a FREE sausage sizzle to help celebrate Indigenous Round, with fans encouraged to complete the Naarm Quiz via QR codes to receive their complimentary snag.

The canteen will also be open in the main grandstand. 

Further around the ground, Furphy will have a pop-up bar space.

Staying COVID-safe

What you can expect at AFLW venues

• Please wear your mask where physical distancing is not possible
• Water fountains will not be in use at most venues. Where they are in operation, they will be cleaned and sanitised regularly. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own water bottles
• The venues are cashless, meaning only contactless payments can be used for purchases of food, beverages and merchandise.
• The event ticketing system supports contact tracing.
• Some activations, such as player autographs, will be paused to ensure social distancing requirements are met.
• Increased cleaning and disinfecting of all surface areas and frequented spaces

How you can help

• Plan to arrive early at games where possible, to avoid crowds at entry points close to match start times
• Practise good hygiene and regularly and thoroughly wash your hands
• Maintain physical distancing, keep at least 1.5 metres away from others
• Carry a face mask when you leave home unless you have a lawful reason not to. It is strongly recommended you wear one whenever you cannot keep 1.5 metres distance from others
• If you are feeling unwell, please enjoy the game from the comfort of your home
• Please follow relevant government health advice, and enjoy the game from home, if the following applies to you:
  - You are deemed a close contact
  - You are awaiting the result of a COVID test
  - You are completing a mandated isolation period during to a COVID positive result

Follow the Game

Watch

All times local

VIC: Channel 7, Fox Footy + Kayo Sports - 7:00pm
NSW/ACT: 7mate, Fox Footy + Kayo Sports - 7:00pm
QLD: 7mate, Fox Footy + Kayo Sports - 6:00pm
SA: Channel 7, Fox Footy + Kayo Sports - 6:30pm
WA: Fox Footy + Kayo Sports - 4:00pm

Streaming

If you're on the go, you can watch the game for free via womens.afl or the AFLW Official App.

Subscribers of Kayo can also watch the game. 

Match Centre

Get live scores, stats and updates via the Demons Match Centre.

Social Media

Follow us across social media for a behind-the-scenes insight on game day as well as live match updates as they happen.

Use the hashtags #AFLWDeesNorth and #HellYeah to join the conversation.

Twitter: @MelbourneAFLW
Facebook: facebook.com/MELBOURNEfc/
Instagram: @MelbourneAFLW
TikTok: @melbournedemons