The NTFA's rich connection to its Indigenous players will be celebrated at the Rocherlea Football Ground as part of the competition's Indigenous round.
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The day will feature a marquee match between premier division rivals the Suburban Tigers and Bracknell.
Rocherlea's Jacob Hawkins has played in six Indigenous round matches during his tenure with the club.
"I always enjoy it thoroughly, it's always a big game and there's always a big crowd here," he said.
"A lot of the boys up here have Indigenous history and they love the round - a lot of the boys get around them and we just enjoy it together."
The Tigers pulled off an upset against the top-team Longford by six points last week; Hawkins said his side's game against the Redlegs would be another test.
A lot of the boys up here have Indigenous history and they love the round
- Jacob Hawkins
"They've got a good list of players - they've always had a good team, we've got a bit of a rivalry so it'll be a good game against them," he said.
After losing to the Tigers of Longford before a bye, Redlegs' Joe Chilcott said this weekend's game would be massive.
"We're looking to bounce back and show the competition what we've got," he said.
Rocherlea president Graeme Gardner said "the Northern Suburbs has a number of Indigenous members that live in the area and what we want to do is embrace that and make them feel welcome at the club".
The day will also feature guest appearances in the form of Tigers premiership great Neil Balme, Cats and Crows legend Ronnie Burns and former Hobart Devils player and coach Cal Bruton.
NTFAW clubs the Meander Valley Suns and Old Launcestonians will also play an exhibition game.
Both sides are on bye weeks, but Suns player Paige Maynard said both teams saw it as a chance to contribute to the significant round.
"We took this as a perfect opportunity - we had the bye this week so we thought we'd take the chance to jump on such a great round," she said.
"As an Indigenous person myself, I'm honoured the club [Rocherlea] took this opportunity and I'm really excited for the weekend."
Maynard said she was aware of herself and one other Sun who identified as Indigenous in the team, and added this weekend would be special for not only them, but all involved.
"We're really proud to play this weekend and represent our people and show off women's football in such great round," she said.
"As an Indigenous woman, playing in a newly developed AFL format and representing Indigenous people, it's a great honour for me and I'm so proud to play and have this guernsey on this weekend."
Harry Murtough
Born and raised in Launceston. BA of journalism from Monash University. Sports reporter covering basketball, netball and cricket.
Born and raised in Launceston. BA of journalism from Monash University. Sports reporter covering basketball, netball and cricket.
