AFL 2022 round 16 LIVE updates: Dons out to spoil Parker’s 250th in Sydney grudge match

Key posts

  • Team changes
  • Subs confirmed
  • Today’s milestones

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Team changes

ESSENDON
In: Darcy Parish, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Andrew Phillips
Out: Archie Perkins (calf), Brayden Ham, Nick Bryan

SYDNEY
In: Justin McInerney
Out: Lewis Taylor

Darcy Parish.Credit:Getty Images

Subs confirmed

The medical substitutes at the MCG are Andrew Phillips (Essendon) and Ryan Clarke (Sydney).

Andrew Phillips.Credit:Getty Images

All signs point to Sydney win

It’s been a miserable season for the Bombers, who have made their worst start to a year since 2006 (excluding 2016 when they were decimated by WADA bans).

And while there has been a lift in effort since they last played the Swans in Round 9, and were thumped by a flattering margin of 58 points, they still only have one win to show from their last five games.

Conversely, Sydney have had no such issues this year, and have a top-four spot firmly in their sights.

They’ve won four of their last six games, and are gunning for their fourth win in a row against the Bombers.

The MCG hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for the Bombers either, winning just one of their last nine there, while the Swans have won six of their last eight at the home of football.

Tom Hickey and Peter Wright compete for the ball.Credit:Getty Images

Milestone man

Luke Parker is presented his 250th jumper with his family in attendance.

Today’s milestones

Luke Parker (Syd) – 250 games
Mitch Duncan (Geel) – 250 games
Bayley Fritsch (Melb) – 100 games
Isaac Quaynor (Coll) – 50 games

Luke Parker.Credit:Getty Images

Greetings, everybody

Hello and welcome to our latest instalment of the live AFL Saturday mega blog for season 2022.

It promises to be another day chock-full of non-stop action, so sit back, relax and enjoy the ride for the next 10 hours as we bring you all the action from all four matches.

Kicking things off is a bit of a grudge match between Essendon and Sydney at the MCG, the Bombers keen to square up with Luke Parker after he mocked Dylan Shiel when they last met at the SCG in Round 9.

Coincidentally, it’s also Parker’s 250th AFL game, so the Dons will be even more hungry to play the role of party poopers and score an upset win.

The twilight game pits the Crows against Melbourne at Adelaide Oval and later tonight, Geelong host struggling North Melbourne at Kardinia Park.

But the best will be saved for last when Gold Coast face Collingwood at Metricon Stadium in what looms as the match of the round.

Darcy Cameron and Jarrod Witts battle in the ruck.Credit:Getty Images

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