ALICE Springs will host a potentially season-defining clash in round 18 next year, with preliminary finalist Melbourne to do battle against reigning premier West Coast.

The mouth-watering contest will be held at TIO Traeger Park as part of Melbourne's commitment to play two games in the Northern Territory each year.

It will be the Eagles' first game for premiership points at the venue, with the match to take place on Sunday, July 21 at 2.50pm ACST.

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The last time West Coast played in the Northern Territory was back in round 14, 2015 when it beat Melbourne in Darwin in front of 11,873 fans.

AFL general manager of clubs and broadcasting Travis Auld said in terms of geography, fixturing the Eagles in Alice Spring made sense, with the flight from Perth just under three hours.

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"Melbourne, having [had] a really good year last year, will play more of the teams in the top part of the fixture, and so that game against the West Coast Eagles will be a really important game for them," Auld told AFL.com.au.

"From a location point of view, Alice Springs works quite well for the Eagles. Plus, they spend a lot of time and effort, particularly in the indigenous communities in Western Australia, and I know they’ll do the same when they go to Alice."

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Melbourne will also host a game under lights in Darwin at TIO Stadium against Adelaide in round 11, in what will be the Dees' 10th consecutive season of playing a home match at the venue.

New Melbourne chief executive Gary Pert said the club was looking forward to continuing its involvement and contribution to the Northern Territory next year.



"Playing AFL games in the Northern Territory not only allows us to showcase our great game in some of the most unique parts of the nation, but also provides the opportunity for the locals to see their heroes play," Pert said.

The Dees handed the Crows a 91-point smashing in Alice Springs in round 10 this year, when Adelaide coach Don Pyke infamously stared down his players at three-quarter time.

Don Pyke was left truly speechless at three-quarter time. #AFLDeesCrows pic.twitter.com/wM17ZNvAHZ — AFL (@AFL) May 27, 2018

The Crows have only played at Marrara Oval once before, beating Melbourne in round 17, 2017.

This will be the sixth consecutive season Melbourne has hosted two games in the Top End.