The MCG has staged some historic and classic games of Australian Rules Football and that long list will be added to when the Tiwi Island Bombers travel to Melbourne for the first time to play the Rumblara Football and Netball Club on May 26th.

The game is a curtain raiser match to the Dreamtime at the G clash between Essendon and Richmond and will showcase the unique and sublime indigenous talent from the top end and regional Victoria.

The Tiwi Bombers trip south has been made possible thanks to Essendon Football Club, ERA, RIO Tinto, TIO and the Northern Territory Government.

The team will spend three days in Melbourne and will have a training run at Windy Hill on Friday, May 25th. A full itinerary is attached below.

""The creation of the Tiwi Island Bombers has had a positive impact on the Tiwi Island community and by staging of this game on football’s greatest stage we hope to provide a further boost,"" Essendon Managing Director, Peter Jackson, said.

""As an affiliated club of the Essendon Football Club we are pleased to assist in bringing the Tiwi Bombers to Melbourne to play their first game at the mighty MCG.

""Rumbalara Football Club is another example of the focus sport can provide for people, and a community as a whole, and we want to embrace what both these communities are doing by staging of this game.

""The Dreamtime at the G game has quickly established its place on the AFL calendar and this curtain raiser, along with the involvement of The Long Walk, will further build its profile. The day is all about celebrating the role Australian Rules Football has played in building bridges between cultures.""

Mr Jackson thanked the other supporters that have made this event possible: ERA, Rio Tinto, TIO and the Northern Territory Government.

The Tiwi Bombers have recently been included in the full NTFL season having played the first third of the 2006 / 07 season.

Minister for Sport and Recreation, Kon Vatskalis, said: ""The Territory Government is backing AFL and local footy by assisting these young indigenous Territorians to play on the big stage.""

Member for Arafura, Marion Scrymgour, said: ""I am extremely happy for all the boys from Tiwi Islands, my home, getting a chance to showcase their talent and do the Territory proud.""

TIO General Manager Banking, Mr John Hall, said: ""We are delighted to be part of this consortium, assisting our talented young indigenous players achieve their dreams"".