The AFL could move the Round 16 Alice Springs clash between Melbourne and GWS away from Traeger Park due to the local council deciding against permitting games at the venue.

The Alice Springs Town Council recently decided to ban community teams from the Central Australia Football League from playing at Traeger Park on Sundays.

The council currently permits local clubs to play at the ground on Saturdays, but has halted regional sides from gaining access to the ground for Sundays, prompting concern from the AFL over the withdrawn support for the CAFL.

According toย News Corp,ย the AFL could look to step in in an attempt to satisfy the council's concerns with the current fixturing for the CAFL.

Should the Alice Springs Town Council accept the changes, which would see the CAFL play seven rounds across 12 weeks, the league is likely to go ahead with the Round 16 match between the Demons and Giants.

If resistance arises from the council, the AFL could look to move the game away from Traeger Park.

"On the basis that the Alice Springs Town Council's (ASTC) decision to withdraw support for the Central Australia Football League (CAFL) Community Competition remains in place, the AFL will consider the impact this will have on the community of Central Australia and the game in the region, including seeking to review the viability of staging the Round 16 AFL match between Melbourne and GWS Giants in Alice Springs," a league statement attained by News Corp read.

"The AFL will look to review all facets of the game impacted, from grassroots through to the elite, with consideration given to the most suitable location to host what is one of three AFL matches to be played in the Northern Territory in 2023."

Due to the AFL's floating fixture for Round 16 onwards, a date and time for the match between the Demons and Giants is yet to be confirmed.

Melbourne have hosted eight games at Traeger Park since the 2014 season, with 2021 being the only campaign where a game wasn't hosted at the venue since its inaugural match.

The Demons have won four and lost four matches in Alice Springs, their most recent appearance being against Port Adelaide in Round 18 last year - a 14-point win.