Ross Lyon wants every club to play a Darwin game in a major expansion of the AFL's northern exposure.

St Kilda's 13.11 (89) to 8.12 (60) loss to Gold Coast on Saturday night was their first regular-season game at TIO Stadium and the Saints' coach lauded the experience.

The Suns will stay in Darwin to play Port Adelaide on Friday, while Melbourne have a game in Alice Springs later this month against GWS.

The Top End has a rich Australian Rules history and Gold Coast defender Daniel Rioli is another member of the famous Northern Territory footballing family to star in the AFL.

Lyon was asked if the humid conditions sapped his team, sparking the Saints coach to vigorously defend playing in Darwin.

"The ground was great, good energy in the crowd," he said

"Probably the opportunity for the AFL is play nine games here - every team, come and play a game here.

"Imagine Darwin with nine games for the year - why give it to one club and two games?

"I'm sure they'd get some government support. Everyone do some heavy lifting for the Territory - they produce great players."

Lyon's idea is for the nine games to be spread across the season and increase AFL exposure to locals.

"We talks about expansion, everyone shares the nine games," he said.

"Everyone do a heavy lift and put on a show in Darwin ... everyone have a go. That would light up the city.

"We'd play our part, I'm sure other clubs would - well, they should.

"Would that help Indigenous players in Darwin and the NT?"