JUST under 12 months ago Stadium Australia was the centre of attention for sporting eyes during the Sydney Olympics. On Sunday the Australian Football League's attention will turn to the modified amphitheatre for the first time as the North Shore Bombersmeet Balmain in a Round 18 Sydney AFL game.The Bombers, who have already wrapped up theminor premiership in the league, will be there to test the venue which is likely to host at least three AFL games next season.

Bombers General Manager Darren Simpson says the players can't wait, although some doubted him when they were told about the game. ``We are rapt,'' he said.``The players are over the moon. Some of the younger blokes came up to me and said: `which groundare we playing on, not the one next to the main ground?' I told them we were at the main stadium and they were like `what the one where Cathy Freeman won the gold medal?'``That's the one I said.''

The game is a joint initiative of the NSW/ACT branch of the AFL and Stadium Australia to see how the stadium operates as an AFL venue. Coaching boxes, change rooms and kicking conditions will be put to the test and Simpson is confident the AFL could sanction more games for the club at thevenue next season. ``As a club we like to take risks and be bold,'' he said. ``We have an excellent Essendon relationship, which is strong and we like to break new ground and this is just another opportunity. We are there to do the right thing for the AFL and hopefully when there is a major [Sydney Swans] game played [next year] we can act as the curtain raiser and play before 50000 people.''

The Stadium has been modified to meet the AFL's minimum ground size requirements, measuring at 158m long by 118m wide.Admission is free with AFL staff on hand to collect a gold donation for the The Malcolm Sargent Fund. The major focus of the fund is to support families during a child's battle with cancer or leukemia. The fund is the Sydney Swans official charity. Parents and their children will also be given theopportunity to have a kick on the ground at fulltime. Game gets underway at 6pm. For further information contact the NSW/ACTCommission on (02) 9746 1611.