This the second year that the two teams will have played, with a very positive relationship being formed. This relationship provides a pathway opportunity for players from the North Coast and North West with the Southport Sharks playing in the North East Australian Football League (NEAFL) which is one level below the AFL.

Saturday's match will be preceded by a NEAFL practice match involving the Southport Sharks and Redland. The Sharks' key footy personnel will be present to cast an eye over the Northern Heat players and interest is bound to be high with former locals Jai Lyon (Coffs), Shaydan Close (Macleay Valley), and Ben Gibbeson (Coffs) all currently trialling for contracts with Southport.

Irrespective of the outcome on Saturday, Paul Taylor, Community Football Manager, said the commitment shown by the Heat players has been exemplary.

"Our players come from across an enormous region that includes Gunnedah, Moree, Inverell, Grafton, and Port Macquarie," he said.

"Whenever we train together we have guys travelling for three or more hours just to be there.

"Several players have relocated since the program started and will travel in from Tasmania, Northern Territory, and Brisbane."

The Northern Heat program was established in 2018 to help talented under 17 and under 18 players make the full time transition to open age footy.