NT Thunder will kick off its 2017 campaign with a bang, hosting NEAFL rivals the Aspley Hornets in a Saturday night showdown at TIO Stadium on Saturday 1 April.

It’s the first of 11 home matches that are sure to excite Thunder fans next year, with Saturday night games moving to a 6:30pm start.

Rounds 1 and 2 will also see the NT Thunder State Academy U18 team play curtain raisers to the senior game as part of its AFL Northern Academy Series.

The U18 side will play the Sydney Swans Academy at 3:30pm on 1 April and on Saturday 8 April they will play the Brisbane Lions Academy at 3:30pm before NT Thunder host the senior Lions side.

In Round 5 the lights at TIO Stadium will be turned on for a Friday night game, with Thunder to play host to the Sydney Swans at 7:30pm on 28 April.

The Territory’s team will play 2016 NEAFL Premiers, the GIANTS, twice in 2017, at home in Round 9 and away for Round 14.

Thunder will travel seven times next season and will wear the heritage Territory jumper of ochre, white and black whenever they are on the road in a gesture to pay homage to the forefathers of NT footy.

As in previous seasons, Thunder will have the privilege of playing a curtain raiser against Aspley for the AFL game between Melbourne and the Adelaide Crows at TIO Stadium on Saturday 15 July.

With no home game in Alice Springs, the Club will work closely with NEAFL officials and prospective broadcast partners to make sure NT Thunder fans in Central Australia can get the best possible access and coverage of their team.

Joel Bowden, Manager of Football Operations for AFL Northern Territory said there was a lot to be excited about with the 2017 fixture.

“We start with two home games against strong opponents and two curtain raisers by our U18 side and then it just keeps building from there, with a Friday night clash, an AFL game backing us up and wearing our traditional jumper for away games.

“The 6:30pm start on a Saturday evening will hopefully encourage more families to come along and support the Territory’s team,” Bowden said.

He also said he expected there would be some disappointment that there was no game scheduled for Alice Springs.

“We are very much about aspiring to represent the whole of the Territory and wanting any Thunder fan in any corner of the country to be able to support us from where they are. And, hopefully they are already, through our improved digital channels and live streaming capabilities.

“However, the omission of a home game in Alice Springs has been made to allow AFL Northern Territory time and space to build better ties and form stronger partnerships with the clubs in Central Australia. If we can do that then let’s see what happens in 2018.”

Full NT Thunder fixture for 2017