The Central Australia Redtails are set to face a representative team from the Sunraysia Football League on April 15.
The match dubbed 'Dreamtime at the P' will take place at the new Mildura Sporting Precinct and is set to generate plenty of interest.The Sunraysia league is a strong competition featuring nine clubs based in north-west Victoria and south-west New South Wales.
The Sunraysia team could potentially field a number of ex-AFL players, including Cory Gregson, Sam Kerridge, Dallas Willsmore, Jarrod Brander and Matt Dea.
Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks Program Founder and President Rob Clarke believes that selection in the Redtails team gives talented young footballers in the Central Australian region something to aim towards.
"It's another opportunity for these young people to aspire to try and make this side and experience something different," Clarke told SEN Top End.
"Most have never been to Mildura or around that region so it adds value to what we are trying to achieve."
AFL great Kevin Sheedy is expected to be an ambassador for the game while Carlton champion Anthony Koutoufides will be participating in a sportsman's night.
There will be junior boys' and girls' games as well as a representative team from the Millewa Football League taking on the Mallee Tigers as the main curtain raiser match.
In a big boost for the Centralians, former AFL ruckman Paddy Ryder will make an appearance.
Ryder played 281 AFL games across Essendon, Port Adelaide and St Kilda, and was selected in the 2017 All-Australian team.
He also requested to engage with the Central Australian community through his participation in the Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks Program.
The 34-year-old is currently in Alice Springs where he spent time with the 17s and under Redtails squad who are currently in Sydney and will take on Newington College tomorrow night.
On Thursday morning, Ryder visited Yipirinya School and is expected to visit other local schools in Alice Springs while training with the Redtails team.
"Getting Ryder on board is fantastic, he is in Alice Springs to train with the lads, so it's pretty exciting," Clarke said.
"He is a perfect fit – we are all very thankful that Paddy has chosen to support & engage with our programs and love his sense of community."
The Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks Program uses sport to engage young people and empower them to become leaders in their community.
The program promotes putting education, wellbeing, family and community first and takes leadership and role modelling to young people on the field.
Ryder will stay engaged after the match as an ambassador to the Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks Program into the foreseeable future.
