FOOTY'S trip down memory lane has continued in our Toyota Fixture Throwback series.

In the absence of live action, we will air classic matches from years gone by featuring the teams that were initially set to do battle in round three of the 2020 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.

>> WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS BELOW

Via AFL.tv and the AFL Live Official App, the historic encounters started on Thursday with a replay of a famous final between modern-day rivals Western Bulldogs and Greater Western Sydney before a classic between bitter arch rivals Carlton and Essendon.

Game nine – Round four, 2017: Melbourne 15.14 (104) lost to Fremantle 16.10 (106)

It was a see-sawing game at the MCG, but Fremantle held on against a fast-finishing Melbourne. The Dees had jumped out to a 27-point lead just before half-time, before the Dockers responded with the next eight goals. The fourth term was Melbourne's time to shine, and Jack Viney's goal with five minutes remaining stole back the lead. It took some fancy footwork from Cam McCarthy to seal the deal. 

Stats stars: Clayton Oliver (26 disposals, eight tackles), Jeff Garlett (15 disposals, three goals), Lachie Neale (22 disposals, four goals), Nat Fyfe (25 disposals, seven clearances)

Game eight – Round 18, 2018: Sydney 8.16 (64) lost to Gold Coast 12.16 (88) 

This was one for the history books. While the Swans weren't at their peak of a few years prior, they were still a far stronger side than the struggling Suns, who were sitting 17th to their opponents' fourth. Gold Coast had never beaten Sydney, but showed enormous resolve to come back from 40-11 at quarter-time and hold the inaccurate Swans to just 2.12 for the rest of the match. 

Stats stars: Josh Kennedy (33 disposals, 10 clearances), Tom Papley (10 contested possessions, three goals), Aaron Young (17 disposals, four goals), Steven May (23 disposals, 14 marks)

Game seven – Round two, 2011: St Kilda 13.17 (95) drew with Richmond 14.11 (95)

With Jack Riewoldt concussed after a marking contest in the first quarter, Daniel Jackson had appeared to be the Richmond's hero, booting a goal at the 32nd minute mark of the final term to pinch a two-point lead. The Saints had two chances to win the game, but set shots from Daniel Archer and Stephen Milne were off-line, tying the score. A clearly affected Riewoldt had earlier memorably crawled up the race before remonstrating with coach Damien Hardwick in an attempt to get back onto the field. 

Stats stars: Stephen Milne (24 disposals, four goals), David Armitage (25 disposals, nine clearances), Shaun Grigg (29 disposals, seven inside-50s), Dustin Martin (21 disposals, three goals)

Game six – Round 20, 2012: West Coast 16.6 (102) defeated Geelong 15.7 (97) 

It was a battle of fifth v sixth on the eve of September, and it well and truly delivered. Geelong led for large portions of the match, pushing out to a 20-point lead before a Nic Naitanui goal just before the main break kept the Eagles in touch. West Coast kicked five of the first seven goals in the final term, before hanging on to enact some portion of revenge for its 2011 preliminary final loss.

Stats stars: Dean Cox (45 hitouts, 23 disposals, three goals), Scott Selwood (playing for West Coast, 22 disposals, 10 clearances), Steve Johnson (31 disposals, 12 clearances), James Podsiadly (14 disposals, three goals)

Game five – Round 18, 2018: Brisbane 13.10 (88) lost to Adelaide 13.15 (93)

Two players down on the bench and missing injured skipper Taylor Walker, Adelaide just held off a young and exuberant Brisbane. The Lions charged home with four final-quarter goals to just one, but the 22-point lead the Crows held at the last break proved too big to overcome. It was a vital win, keeping Adelaide in the hunt for finals contention.

Stats stars: Hugh Greenwood (17 disposals, four goals), Matt Crouch (40 disposals, eight clearances), Alex Witherden (31 disposals, 12 marks), Dayne Zorko (21 disposals, eight clearances).

Game four – Round 23, 2016: Hawthorn 17.10 (112) defeated Collingwood 17.9. (111)

When Collingwood hit the front deep into the final term of this final-round classic, it looked like the Hawks would be aiming for a record-equalling fourth straight flag from outside the top four. Enter unlikely hero Jack Fitzpatrick. On his Hawthorn debut, the ex-Demon launched a long bomb with two minutes remaining to tie the scores. A late behind to Paul Puopolo handed Hawthorn the win and the all-important double-chance but Fitzpatrick’s puzzled expression after his earlier heroics formed the moment that lives on.

Stat stars: Sam Mitchell (31 disposals), Adam Treloar (36 disposals), Steele Sidebottom (33 disposals), Jeremy Howe (24 disposals, 11 marks).

Game three – Round eight, 2012: Port Adelaide 12.10 (82) defeated North Melbourne 9.22 (76)

The Power were staring down the barrel of a 1-7 start to 2012 when they trailed by 32 points halfway through the last quarter at home to the Kangas. But a pair of Jay Schulz goals in quick succession gave the Power a sniff against a team that was notably shaky in close matches. Paul Stewart’s mark and late running goal on the usually reliable Roo Michael Firrito in the dying moments earned the Power a memorable win. 

Stat stars: Jay Schulz (seven goals), Danyle Pearce (30 disposals), Andrew Swallow (28 disposals, 12 tackles), Daniel Wells (26 disposals, two goals).

Game two - Round 22, 2013: Essendon 12.10 (82) defeated Carlton 9.22 (76)

Essendon trailed by 19 points in the final quarter of this clash, which came at the end of another emotional week in a tumultuous 2013 season for the club. But three goals in five minutes quickly gave the Bombers a chance. With the scores level with 27 seconds remaining, in swooped David Zaharakis. Another late 'Zaka' shot, another late 'Zaka' goal, another dramatic Essendon win against an old rival.

GREATEST TEAMS EVER Carlton v Essendon ... who wins the game?

 Stat stars: Jobe Watson (27 disposals, two goals), Brendon Goddard (27 disposals, one goal), Kade Simpson (33 disposals, five marks), Chris Yarran (20 disposals, two goals)

Game one - Preliminary final: Western Bulldogs 13.11 (89) defeated Greater Western Sydney 12.11 (83)

What an unbelievable match. With a spot in the 2016 Grand Final at stake, nothing separated these sides with just three minutes remaining in a pulsating final term. Enter Jack Macrae. His calm set-shot put the Dogs six points clear and the rest, as they say, is history. The Dogs would snap a 62-year premiership drought the very next week.

Stat stars: Clay Smith (26 disposals, four goals), Luke Dahlhaus (32 disposals, six clearances), Dylan Shiel (28 disposals, seven clearances), Jon Patton (nine disposals, four goals)