Australian Football Association of North America

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

The AFL has been holding talks for some months regarding a game in the United Arab Emirates. Over that time, a number of details have been worked out, including the agreement between the Adeladie Crows and Colliingwood Magpies as the teams to be playing the match.

One more hurdle has been overcome with the Dubai Polo Ground being approved as the game's location. AFL Ground Manager Jill Lindsay recently returned from Dubai and gave the thumbs up to the proposed field for next year's football match between Collingwood and Adelaide. According to Lindsay, the Dubai Polo Club ground is perfect for the February preseason game. All that needs to be done is the construction of spectator stands.

With so many Australian expats in Dubai, the AFL believes the game could attract a crowd of up to 10,000 people. The AFL has yet to decide if the game will be an exhibition match or part of the NAB Cup preseason games.

Both clubs have agreed to play the game and sponsorship will not be an issue as Collingwood's major sponsor, Emirates, is Dubai-based, while Adelaide's naming rights sponsor Toyota has UAE links. The AFL has a profile in the UAE with the Round 11 match between Brisbane and the Bulldogs broadcast on Dubai cable television.

Source: Herald Sun