Docklands
Melbourne, Victoria 3000

NAB Cup Bushfire Appeal Game
Essendon vs Western Bulldogs
8.30pm live on Channel 7

THE AFL today announced a NAB Cup Bushfire Appeal game would be held on Friday night at Telstra Dome as a fundraiser for communities devastated by the Victorian bushfires.

AFL Chief Executive Officer Andrew Demetriou said the AFL, the players and the 16 AFL clubs wanted to work together to raise funds and show their support for the communities affected by the fires and the emergency service workers and volunteers who have risked their lives to fight the fires or provide support.

After discussions with the State Government, it was decided that as an initial measure, the Western Bulldogs-Essendon match will be transferred from Darwin and will now be played as the NAB Cup Bushfire Appeal game at Telstra Dome this Friday, February 13 at 8.40pm.

The game will be televised live nationally on Foxtel's Fox Sports 1 and throughout Victoria on the Seven Network at 8.30pm.

Tickets for the game will go on sale at 1pm on Tuesday, February 10. All proceeds from the match would be donated to the Victorian Government’s Bushfire Appeal Fund.

Mr Demetriou said the AFL and its partners, clubs and players would also support the ongoing appeal through a contribution on behalf of the AFL and its 16 clubs.

He said he was overwhelmed by the response from the players, the clubs and others in the industry who wanted to join together to help communities devastated by the bushfires.

“Our 16 AFL clubs, our AFL players, supporters and corporate and broadcast partners wanted to do something that would provide a coordinated football approach to this national tragedy,” Mr Demetriou said.

Official Website: http://afl.com.au

Added by buckup on February 11, 2009

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