Gold Coast to play AFL home game in Darwin

The Gold Coast Suns are replacing Melbourne as hosts of an AFL game in Darwin.

The Suns will play one nominal home game in Darwin for the next four years.

Melbourne, who played a nominal home game in the Northern Territory capital for the past decade, have opted out of Darwin but will continue to play one game in Alice Springs each season.

The Suns were recently given the Darwin region as a talent academy zone by the AFL as part of moves to support the struggling club.

And Gold Coast chief executive Mark Evans says playing a home game in Darwin each year will strengthen ties with the Darwin academy and region.

Melbourne gave up their annual Darwin game noting Demons supporters wanted the match returned to the MCG.

"Supporters have made it very clear," Melbourne chief Gary Pert said on Wednesday.

Pert said Melbourne's annual game in Alice Springs would remain for at least the next four years.