The AFL has today released the dates, times and locations for Round 16 matches of the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.
The Round sees the Gold Coast SUNS host Richmond at Metricon Stadium at 7:20pm AEST on Thursday night before the Geelong Cats host Essendon at GMHBA Stadium in the Friday night match commencing at 7:50pm AEST.
The GWS GIANTS, who are already in Melbourne, will remain in Victoria for the next week before being hosted by Melbourne at the MCG at 1:45pm AEST on Saturday, July 3.
Saturday matches also see the Adelaide Crows host the Brisbane Lions at Adelaide Oval at 4:35pm AEST (4:05pm ACST), Hawthorn host Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium at 7:40pm AEST and Fremantle host Carlton at Optus Stadium at 7:40pm AEST (5:40pm AEST).
The Sydney Swans will return to Victoria after their Round 15 match in South Australia and will remain in the state before hosting the West Coast Eagles at GMHBA Stadium at 1:10pm AEST on Sunday, July 4.
Sunday also sees Collingwood host St Kilda at the MCG at 3:20pm AEST before the Western Bulldogs host North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium at 4:40pm AEST.
AFL Executive General Manager Clubs and Broadcasting Travis Auld thanked supporters, players and the AFLPA, Club, venues, and broadcasters for their patience as the league finalised arrangements for the upcoming Round.
"The ongoing pandemic continues to provide challenges from a fixturing perspective and we thank everyone in the game for their understanding as we finalised the dates, times and locations for each match of Round 16," Mr Auld said.
"Next round sees Essendon heading down the highway to play at GMHBA Stadium for Premiership points for the first time since 1993, Robert Harvey coaching Collingwood against his former side in St Kilda where he was a champion player and hopefully many supporters witnessing Shaun Burgoyne playing in his 400th AFL game."
Mr Auld also thanked the Victorian State Government for their support in scheduling the Round 16 Sydney Swans vs. West Coast Eagles match at GMHBA Stadium.
"It is great to be able to take a big match up to regional Victoria and we encourage footy fans from all around the state to head to Geelong and support the contest between the Swans and the Eagles at GMHBA Stadium.
"On behalf of the AFL we thank the Victorian State Government for their continued support of footy and the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.”
Acting Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Jaala Pulford said:
"This is a great result for football fans in regional Victoria and the early start time will give people the chance to get to the game and get home at a reasonable hour.
"We’ve backed major projects at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong and Mars Stadium in Ballarat to ensure they are brilliant venues for AFL matches – it’s fantastic to have this latest match confirmed."
The AFL continues to work closely with respective State Governments, all AFL Clubs and other key stakeholders to best manage the relevant border restrictions currently in place, ensuring the health and safety of the community remains paramount.
ROUND 16
Thursday, July 1
Gold Coast v Richmond at Metricon Stadium, 7.20pm AEST
Friday, July 2
Geelong v Essendon at GMHBA Stadium, 7.50pm AEST
Saturday, July 3
Melbourne v GWS Giants at the MCG, 1.45pm AEST
Adelaide v Brisbane at Adelaide Oval, 4.05pm ACST
Hawthorn v Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium, 7.40pm AEST
Fremantle v Carlton at Optus Stadium, 5.40pm AWST
Sunday, July 4
Sydney v West Coast at GMHBA Stadium, 1.10pm AEST
Collingwood v St Kilda at the MCG, 3.20pm AEST
Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium, 4.40pm AEST
