1h agoFri 25 Jul 2025 at 8:07amFriday Scoreboards
2m agoFri 25 Jul 2025 at 10:02am
Jesse Hogan kicks the opener for the Giants
We nearly lost another one there, with Hogan just barreling through the defence to take a really strong mark on the second attempt.
Hogan neatly snaps the goal to get this game properly underway. Weird feel about it so far, what with the very early and lengthy stoppage for McLean.
11m agoFri 25 Jul 2025 at 9:54amSydney’s Hayden McLean has been knocked out cold
Hayden McLean was able to walk himself to a stretcher after being knocked out. (Getty Images)
In the first contest of the game inside Sydney’s 50, McLean has come back with the flight and been crunched by the pack coming the other way.
He was out before he hit the ground and as play went on. The whistle soon stopped the game now and McLean is receiving some attention. He’s awake and moving now, but doesn’t look healthy at all. The stretcher is being driven out and McLean’s night will be over after 26 seconds of game time.
Totally accidental but horrible to see. Aaron Francis will be subbed on within the first minute of the game.
11m agoFri 25 Jul 2025 at 9:53amQT: Western Bulldogs 6.5 (41) lead Essendon 2.2 (14)
(Getty)
Things are looking good for the Bulldogs, who lead by 27 points at the first break after kicking six goals to two.
Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy already have two each; the real battle tonight might be who can kick more out of these two by the final siren.
Meanwhile, both Bombers’ goals came off the boot of Liam McMahon.
The Dogs had more of the footy – with 96 to 77 of the possessions – which lead to 15-8 inside 50s. Bailey Williams and Mason Redman lead the disposal count with 10, followed by four dogs (Richards, Bontempelli, Liberatore and Naughton).
13m agoFri 25 Jul 2025 at 9:51am
We are underway in Sydney
(Getty Images)
The tsunami warning siren rungs out around the Showgrounds as the players take their places, and immediately start scrapping. Rampe getting stuck into Greene already.
Here we go, a Sydney derby with an edge. A fascinating game awaits.
21m agoFri 25 Jul 2025 at 9:43am
Bombers get their first goal
Something, finally, to get the Essendon cheer squad on their feet: Bombers have their first goal through Liam McMahon.
McMahon took a mark just inside 50 and then kicked the goal. He scored two goals on debut last weekend.
However, Sam Darcy replied down the other end just minutes later, kicking the Bulldogs’ sixth goal so far this opening quarter.
27m agoFri 25 Jul 2025 at 9:37am
Dogs all over it, Bombers being just overrun
Seems like the narrative of this game might be: Another Dogs centre clearance, another Dogs goal.
Marcus Bontempelli and Ed Richards are the last two Bulldogs to join the goal scorers, as the Dogs have five goals to zilch 16 minutes into the opening term. Bombers have just the one behind.
32m agoFri 25 Jul 2025 at 9:32am
Dogs moving well, Dons still without a goal
Essendon had a great passage of transition footy from one end to the other, which resulted in young Angus Clarke launching the ball towards the sticks as he ran inside 50. But he hit the woodwork.
The Bulldogs on the rebound saw Marcus Bontempelli run off half-back to start a chain that finished with a Sam Darcy contested mark inside 50. He got the goal; the Bulldogs third tonight, while the Bombers are still goalless.
(Getty)
39m agoFri 25 Jul 2025 at 9:25am
Naughton goes again
This could be a good night for Aaron Naughton, who has his second goal of the day within the opening three minutes.
There’s been just two inside 50s so far this game, and Naughton’s got goals from both of them.
42m agoFri 25 Jul 2025 at 9:22am
Dogs score in 45 seconds
And just like that, the Bulldogs are on the board. That doesn’t look good for what might be ahead for the Bombers.
It took eight seconds for Aaron Naughton to be awarded a free inside 50 (Jordan Ridley came from behind with a fair punch over Naughton’s head) and then the big man went back and got the goal. All within 45 seconds.
44m agoFri 25 Jul 2025 at 9:20am
We’re away at Docklands
Alright, let’s see if the Dogs can climb back into the eight – perhaps with a percentage boost – or the Bombers can cause an upset.
(Getty)
45m agoFri 25 Jul 2025 at 9:19am
It’s been a red and white day so far
Tonight’s game is the third in a Sydney derby triple header, the first two legs of which the Swans have won.
The AFLW side won pretty convincingly in their preseason game:
And then the VFL boys took the points pretty handily two:
Can Sydney make it three from three? Bounce is about half an hour way.
54m agoFri 25 Jul 2025 at 9:10amNo late changes for Giants or Swans
Both sides go in as named in Sydney, with Toby McMullin the Giants’ sub and Aaron Francis wearing the vest for the Swans.
I mentioned Tom Papley being back for Sydney earlier, which is good news, but get a load of these three ins for GWS:
Sam Taylor.
Josh Kelly.
Jesse Hogan.
Pretty handy, to say the least.
1h agoFri 25 Jul 2025 at 9:01amBombers celebrate 25-years since 2000 premiership
Essendon welcomed champions back to the Dons’ rooms to recognise and celebrate 25 years since the iconic 2000 premiership.
And just 20 years since a finals win (sorry).
1h agoFri 25 Jul 2025 at 8:50am
Dogs fighting to stay in top eight contention
Essendon may just be playing for pride at this point but there’s a lot on the line for the Bulldogs, who sit right on the cusp of the top eight in 9th position.
The Dogs are the heavy favourites to walk away from the meeting with the four points, but thinking games are one and done before they start can be a dangerous mindset.
Recent history is in their favour. The last time they faced off was at Docklands in round 10, where the Dogs claimed a 91-point win.
The Bombers were held goalless in the opening term and Rhylee West, Ed Richard, Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore and Bailey Dale (49 disposals) got to work to cruise to that final siren percentage boost.
1h agoFri 25 Jul 2025 at 8:40am
Meanwhile, in Sydney…
With all due respect to Essendon and the Western Bulldogs, the game that really matters tonight is being played a little further north.
We’re in western Sydney for perhaps the biggest game of the round, as the Giants and the Swans play out a derby with a twist. Sydney’s slender finals hopes hang in the balance with every game it plays at the moment, making this the latest in a long line of must-wins.
Meanwhile GWS is one of a number of clubs whose finishing position ranges anywhere from well inside the top four to just outside the finals. They too can not afford many, if any, slip ups between now and September, not least against a team coming for their spot.
Plus these two teams don’t like each other. And Tom Papley is back, so that’ll be fun. A lot to like from the late game tonight.
1h agoFri 25 Jul 2025 at 8:33amTeams for Dons, Dogs
Liam Jones is back out of the Bulldogs’ side after just one week back in – he is omitted alongside Sam Davidson.
In their place, Jedd Busslinger and Oskar Baker come in.
For the Bombers, fans will enjoy the sights of Nate Caddy, Saad El-Hawli and Todd Goldstein back in the side, while Xavier Duursma (soreness), Archer May and Vigo Visentini are dropped.
1h agoFri 25 Jul 2025 at 8:23amFan favourite makes it to 300
Tonight, David Rodan makes his combined 300 games as a player and umpire.
Rodan played 185 games with Port Adelaide, Richmond and Melbourne before transitioning to the fluro and the finger pointing (goal signalling). And he does it all with a smile.
1h agoFri 25 Jul 2025 at 8:13am
G’evening
Hello and welcome to tonight’s AFL live blog.
We’ve got two clashes on this fine Friday’s menu.
First up, Essendon are hosting the Western Bulldogs at Docklands. The last time those two played there, the Dogs won by a whopping 91 points, so Bombers fans I hear are just hoping to do better than that.
(Getty)
Then, it’s the Sydney derby over at GWS’ home, the Sydney Showgrounds. Little brother v big brother, the battle of the bridge. A fight to stay in the eight v keep the faint season heartbeat alive.
Plenty to discuss. Let’s get to it, shall we?