- North Melbourne Football Club returns to Western Australia for home matches
- Back-to-back weekends of AFL action set to take place in Bunbury and Perth
- Match supported by the return of Western Australia's South West Tasting Experience
- Events are a key part of the Cook Labor Government's economic diversification strategy to grow tourism and support local businesses and jobs
The Cook Labor Government is delivering more AFL action to Western Australia this June, with North Melbourne returning for two blockbuster home game clashes in Bunbury and Perth.
The first fixture will see the North Melbourne Kangaroos take on the Fremantle Dockers at Hands Oval in Bunbury tomorrow (6 June), before the Kangaroos face the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium the following weekend on Saturday, 13 June.
The matches form part of the Cook Government's three-year agreement with North Melbourne Football Club to host two home games annually in WA that are expected to attract thousands of interstate and intrastate visitors, delivering a boost for local tourism, hospitality and businesses.
This weekend's Bunbury clash follows the success of last year's sold-out AFL fixture at Hands Oval, which was the first ever in-season AFL match held in regional WA and attracted more than 12,000 attendees, showcasing the South West to audiences around the country.
Fans attending the Bunbury match will also be able to enjoy the return of Western Australia's South West Tasting Experience marquee, featuring premium food and wine from producers across the region - elevating the game day atmosphere and promoting the local tourism scene.
The back-to-back AFL weekends provide another opportunity to showcase both Perth and the South West as vibrant destinations for major events, while encouraging visitors to extend their stay and explore more of Western Australia, supporting regional jobs and businesses.
Find out more information at https://nmfc.com.au/western-australia
As stated by Tourism Minister Reece Whitby:
"It's fantastic to welcome the North Melbourne Kangaroos back to Western Australia for another two huge AFL home game clashes that will bring thousands of visitors to both Bunbury and Perth this month.
"Last year's Bunbury match proved how successful hosting AFL matches in regional WA can be, with strong visitation delivering real economic benefits for local tourism operators, hospitality venues and businesses across the South West - and the State more broadly.
"The return of Western Australia's South West Tasting Experience is another fantastic addition to the Bunbury fixture, helping showcase the incredible food and wine experiences that make the South West such a sought-after tourism destination while delivering an elevated game day experience for fans."
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister Rita Saffioti:
"We're proud to have secured these AFL matches for Western Australia and the South West that will be deliver an unforgettable experience for footy fans and boost the region's economy.
"Last year's historic clash at Hands Oval brought thousands of visitors to the region and I can't wait to see Bunbury painted purple this weekend.
"These major sporting events bring our community together and encourage more people to get involved in grassroots sport by inspiring the next generation of players, coaches, umpires and volunteers."
As stated by South West Minister and Bunbury MLA Don Punch:
"As South West Minister and local member, I am pleased to see AFL return to Hands Oval, building on last year's success and delivering benefits not only for our local economy, but for the community and footy fans across the South West.
"Last year's match delivered strong economic outcomes for local businesses, and we expect this return to once again support jobs while bringing communities together and giving footy fans a great experience."
As stated by Regional Development Minister Stephen Dawson:
"Events like this are a win for our regional communities. They deliver a great sporting event and they also showcase the South West to audiences around the country and encourage people to stay longer and spend locally.
"The Cook Labor Governmentis committed to helping to grow tourism and job opportunities right across regional Western Australia."
