The GIANTS’ reserves side will take part in the first ever NEAFL game in Townsville as part of a revamped fixture for 2016.
The match - which will take place against Gold Coast Reserves at Tony Ireland Stadium on the ANZAC Day weekend - is one of several inclusions to the NEAFL draw released this week.
Other notable features for the GIANTS include an increased number of curtain-raiser games, more matches being played at AFL venues and a return to Wagga Wagga against Eastlake.
With four new draftees from the PM CAPITAL Academy joining the GIANTS from the Riverina, the club’s match at Robertson Oval will be sure to attract plenty of spectator attention.
The competition will retain a three-week finals series featuring the top six teams. The season will commence on April 2 and teams will play 18 games over 21 weeks.
Each team will have three byes, with the Grand Final to be held on September 10 or 11.
National AFL Second Tier Manager, Simon Laughton, said the fixture aims to maximise the exposure of talent in the northern states of Australia as the competition continues to grow in standard.
“We are pleased the 2016 NEAFL fixture will offer more opportunities for clubs to showcase their talent through an increase of matches at AFL venues,” Laughton said.
“The competition is also committed to growing the game in regional areas, highlighted by our first ever game in Townsville between Gold Coast and the GIANTS.
The GIANTS’ reserves side will play nine matches in Sydney along with one game in Canberra.
There will also be NEAFL curtain-raiser matches on 10 occasions when the GIANTS’ AFL side play against Port Adelaide, Hawthorn, Gold Coast (twice), Western Bulldogs, Sydney, Carlton, Collingwood, Brisbane, West Coast and Fremantle.
The first NEAFL match for the GIANTS will take place against Sydney Uni at Blacktown International Sportspark on Sunday, April 3.
