AFL 2021 LIVE updates: Essendon Bombers, Sydney Swans take to MCG; Fremantle Dockers, Richmond Tigers face-off

Key posts

  • Geelong set to host Giants next Friday night
  • Sydney’s attack hottest in AFL right now
  • Victoria holds the key to keeping the AFL season alive
  • The medical sub – Essendon v Sydney

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Geelong set to host Giants next Friday night

Geelong are likely to host the Giants at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night as a result of the clash between Essendon and Sydney being rescheduled from the Gabba on Saturday night to Marvel Stadium on Sunday after south-east Queensland entered a snap lockdown on the weekend.

The one day delay meant Essendon would have been facing the Western Bulldogs after a five-day break if they met as originally scheduled on Friday night.

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Sydney’s attack hottest in AFL right now

Since Round 16, Essendon has averaged 71.5 points – ranked 11 th in the competition. Sydney is averaging 98.2 points over these rounds – ranked No.1. Tom Papley has recorded 22.3 scoreboard impact points per game since Round 16 – ranked equal – sixth in the AFL.

Victoria holds the key to keeping the AFL season alive

Victoria holds the key to the completion of the AFL season, after three matches had to be postponed and relocated because of Queensland’s snap lockdown.

All told, 14 of the 18 teams could be in Victoria by the end of the weekend, with the AFL desperate to ensure all three rescheduled round 20 games were played today.

The Lions and Suns going head-to-head at the Gabba earlier this season.Credit:Getty Images

The league is determined to protect the pre-finals bye so that it does not have to play catch-up, and is more aware than ever after the chaos ensuing from Queensland’s latest COVID-19 outbreak that it will need contingency plans in multiple states for the finals series, including the grand final.

Essendon’s match against Sydney, which was meant to be played at the Gabba last night, will go ahead at the MCG today, while a double-header will be held at Marvel Stadium.

Gold Coast will play Melbourne at the Docklands at 12.10pm, followed by GWS versus Port Adelaide.

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The medical sub – Essendon v Sydney

No late changes for either side. The Bombers have Brayden Ham and the Swans have Dylan Stephens as medical subs.

Good afternoon

G’day everyone. It’s Roy Ward here and welcome to today’s slightly unexpected AFL live blog.

At the start of the weekend, we were all expecting Essendon and Sydney to be playing on Saturday but after yesterday’s snap lockdown in Queensland, the two sides have flown south and will kick off at the MCG at 3.10pm AEST this afternoon.

So we will be live blogging the Bombers and Swans while also keeping an eye on Richmond and Fremantle which starts at 5.10pm AEST in Perth.

Please keep an eye out for our matches from the archives as the blog rolls on today and enjoy the games to come.

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