Richmond will return to Darwin for the second consecutive year for the AFLW Dreamtime clash against Essendon this season.
The Tigers will again take on the Bombers at TIO Stadium in a powerful celebration of women's football and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
Taking place in Round 3 of the milestone 10th season and coinciding with the first week of the AFLW's Indigenous Rounds, the match returns following resounding success in last year's inaugural AFLW Dreamtime clash in the the Top End, which saw thousands of fans pack the stands to cast the national spotlight on Territory talent and the local community.
The Dreamtime fixture has a proud history in the AFL Men's competition, and its expansion into the AFLW is a significant milestone that continues to grow. Hosting the match in Darwin last year was a landmark moment, reaffirming the Northern Territory's deep and enduring connection to Australian Rules football.
With more than 40 per cent of all registered players in the NT identifying as female, the NAB AFLW Dreamtime match will celebrate leadership in women's football and strengthening the AFL's commitment to inclusion, recognition and opportunity.
Richmond Football Club CEO Shane Dunne expressed the excitement of returning north.
"We are very grateful to have the opportunity to play our AFLW Dreamtime game against Essendon in Darwin again in 2025, building on what was a successful fixture last year," Dunne said.
"Dreamtime is a pivotal part of our Club, and it provides an opportunity for the football community to come together and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
"Having this game in Darwin also allows us to showcase elite-level women's football to the Northern Territory and gives our players and the broader Club a chance to connect with the local community."
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said it was fantastic to see Dreamtime return to the Top End in 2025.
"Dreamtime is such a wonderful tradition in the AFL landscape, and I am thrilled to see it return to the Top End for the second year in a row as a part of the NAB AFLW competition," Dillon said.
"Essendon and Richmond have such a rich history celebrating Indigenous culture and I'm sure fans of both Clubs will look forward to supporting the continuation of this match up across the W fixture.
"We know the Northern Territory has the highest proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people relative to Australia's total population - around 30.8 per cent - so hosting games in the NT plays a key role in our vision to showcase the contribution of our First Nations people and connect more Indigenous communities to our game."
Sam Gibson, head of AFL Northern Territory, said the return of the match is a meaningful step forward for the game in the top End.
"As AFLW Dreamtime returns to Darwin for a second year, it's clear this match has already struck a powerful chord," Gibson said.
"We're proud to work alongside Richmond, Essendon, the Northern Territory Government and the local community to bring this celebration of women's football and Indigenous culture to life."
