The AFL wishes to advise the fixture for Rounds 19 and 20 of the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.
As communicated last week, AFL Premiership Season football returns to the Northern Territory as the Gold Coast SUNS and Melbourne do battle at TIO Stadium in Darwin, on Saturday July 24 at 7:40pm AEST.
The Sydney Swans - who remain based in Melbourne - will host Fremantle at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday, July 24 at 1:45pm AEST and the AFL thanks the Victorian State Government for their continued support of the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season and for allowing us to take matches to regional areas.
The City of Ballarat will host its third match in three weeks as the Western Bulldogs return to Mars Stadium in Round 19 and match up against the Adelaide Crows.
>> SEE THE R19 AND R20 FIXTURE BELOW
Round 20 takes footy to Tasmania with North Melbourne hosting the Geelong Cats at Blundstone Arena on Saturday afternoon, while on the same day, the ‘Q’ clash resumes at The Gabba with the Brisbane Lions hosting the Gold Coast SUNS.
Seventeen of 18 matches across the two rounds are confirmed, with the venue for the Round 20 match between the GWS GIANTS and Port Adelaide still to be confirmed.
AFL Executive General Manager Clubs and Broadcasting Travis Auld said he was pleased to be able to confirm details for upcoming rounds with some more notice compared to recent weeks.
“Releasing Rounds 19 and 20 now maximises the amount of time possible for our clubs to prepare and for fans to plan on attending the matches,” Mr Auld said.
“We acknowledge it has been an extremely uncertain time around the country, and thank everyone in the football industry for being accommodating with the changes to ensure the season has kept rolling.
“Despite challenges presented by the pandemic, it is shaping up to be an exhilarating back end of the season, in which any team can win on any day. There are some intriguing match ups to look forward to across the two rounds, games that will help shape the final eight.
“After disappointingly having to postpone our matches in the Territory earlier in the season, it is fantastic for the community in Darwin to be able to host a game this season, one that I know the locals are very excited to be able to attend.
“As we near the conclusion of our home and away season we will continue to work closely with respective State and Territory Governments and adjust where needed but are hopeful the coming weeks can continue as scheduled.”
Information relating to crowds and ticketing for the Rounds will be communicated as soon as those detailed are finalised.
Round 19
Friday, July 23
Port Adelaide v Collingwood at Adelaide Oval, 6.45pm ACST
Saturday, July 24
Hawthorn v Brisbane at the MCG, 1.45pm AEST
Sydney v Fremantle at GMHBA Stadium, 1.45pm AEST
Essendon v GWS Giants at Marvel Stadium, 4.35pm AEST
Gold Coast v Melbourne at TIO Stadium, 6.55pm ACST
West Coast v St Kilda at Optus Stadium, 5.40pm AWST
Sunday, July 25
Western Bulldogs v Adelaide at Mars Stadium, 12.40pm AEST
Geelong v Richmond at the MCG, 1.45pm AEST
Carlton v North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium, 4.40pm AEST
Round 20
Friday, July 30
Essendon v Sydney at Marvel Stadium, 7.50pm AEST
Saturday, July 31
North Melbourne v Geelong at Blundstone Arena, 1.45pm AEST
Brisbane v Gold Coast at the Gabba, 3.20pm AEST
St Kilda v Carlton at Marvel Stadium, 4.35pm AEST
Melbourne v Western Bulldogs at the MCG, 7.25pm AEST
Adelaide v Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval, 7.10pm ACST
Sunday, August 1
GWS Giants v Port Adelaide at TBC, 1.10pm AEST
Collingwood v West Coast at the MCG, 2.10pm AEST
Fremantle v Richmond at Optus Stadium, 3.10pm AWST