The AFL announced today it had offered supporters in areas affected by the recent bushfires in South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria tickets to selected NAB Challenge matches.
An allocation of NAB Challenge match tickets has been provided to local governments to distribute to those directly affected and recognise those who provided support to communities during this devastating time.
AFL general manager clubs and AFL operations Travis Auld said the AFL and its stakeholders wished to make a contribution to the communities recently touched by the terrible bushfires.
"The AFL joins the rest of the country in its grief as we continue to witness the devastation brought on by the recent bushfires across three states," Mr Auld said.
"We know sport unites people, and for the AFL we felt the NAB Challenge matches provided a platform for the community to unify together in support of those affected during this difficult time.
"These areas are intrinsically linked to AFL through NAB AFL Auskick centres, school and community club football, and we acknowledge members of our football family have been affected too.
"We hope this small gesture provides some relief to people as they begin rebuilding their lives. The Shire of Harvey, Shire of Esperance, Clare & Gilbert Valleys Council, Surf Coast Shire, and Colac Otway Shire will co-ordinate the ticket distribution to their respective communities."
The following matches have been selected to acknowledge those recently affected by the bushfires, and local governments in the respective areas have been invited to fundraise for victims during the events.
Yarloop, Western Australia
Friday 19 February at 4.10pm WST
Fremantle v Richmond
Rushton Park, Mandurah
Esperance, Western Australia
Sunday 28 February at 1.40pm WST
Fremantle v Adelaide Crows
Sounness Park, Mt Barker
Clare Valley, South Australia
Sat 27 February at 1.35pm CDT
Port Adelaide v Melbourne
Playford Alive Oval
Surf Coast Shire & Colac Otway Shire, Victoria
Friday 26 February at 7.10pm ADST
Geelong Cats v Collingwood
Simonds Stadium, Geelong
Each AFL Club competing in the selected matches will also donate playing guernseys from selected players for an online auction, with proceeds being donated to bushfire appeals.
NAB is currently working with their local branches to select a person to toss the coin at the four matches.
The AFL is aware there have been other regions recently affected by natural disasters and will be working with local governments on providing assistance to those communities.
The AFL wishes to thank the football industry for their overwhelming support in this initiative - the AFL Clubs, NAB, Foxtel, Fox Footy, AFLPA, Telstra, Radio partners, ShopAFL, Ticketmaster and Ticketek.
We would also like to acknowledge the tireless work of our country's firefighters, police, health care providers and volunteers as they undertook the task of saving and protecting lives during these recent disasters.
Maybe change the title to make clear they are tickets to the Football and not the Bank?