ROUND six is upon us already and it's yet another massive week of footy!
Collingwood and Essendon lock horns in the traditional Anzac Day blockbuster on Tuesday, with both teams sitting 4-1 and in hot form.
Before that, however, we have plenty of action to whet the appetite including the Anzac Day eve clash between Melbourne and Richmond, while the round kicks off tomorrow night as Fremantle looks to resurrect its season against the Western Bulldogs.
Geelong and Sydney clash on Saturday night in a Grand Final rematch, and Sunday's games include a huge match-up between Carlton and high-flying St Kilda.
Check out the blog below for all the news as it happened.
That's a wrap!
That wraps up another HUGE day of footy news. Stay tuned to AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App for all the latest news.
Some more Goldy love ahead of game 300
"I know from first-hand experience that he's brave, uncompromising and cares deeply about this club and the people in it." 💙#Goldy300 | #Kangas pic.twitter.com/LeZgFJfN0E
— North Melbourne FC (@NMFCOfficial) April 20, 2023
Adelaide veteran Rory Sloane caught up with AFL.com.au's Nat Edwards recently to chat footy, fatherhood and the future. Catch up now!
AAA Extra: Sloane on young Crows, injuries and his plans for 2024
Adelaide Crows veteran Rory Sloane chats to Nat Edwards about footy, fatherhood and the future, thanks to Crypto.com
Teams are in! Check out who's in your side for round six.
TEAMS: Port axes tall, new Swan named, big Blue in
The teams are in for round six's Friday and Saturday matches, as well as the extended benches for Sunday and Monday
ICYMI, players have asked for greater clarification around dangerous tackle rules.
Players call for clarity on sling tackles
Ahead of the Anzac Day clash Andrew McGrath and Darcy Moore say there are still grey areas
Catch all the latest footy news right here!
Footy Feed: Dee ready, Sloane's future, Flag Eagle to return
Nat Edwards with all the latest news
The Bombers prepare for their Anzac Day clash
A day of reflection. https://t.co/4KAXDKvtYc pic.twitter.com/dTWllJJoDm
— Essendon FC (@essendonfc) April 20, 2023
Rory Lobb will be public enemy No.1 when he travels to his old stomping ground for the Western Bulldogs' clash with Fremantle on Friday at Optus Stadium.
Freo fans launch Lobb-inspired beer as ex-Docker braces for return
Rory Lobb is set to receive a hostile Fremantle reception this Friday night at Optus Stadium
PSA for all Cats fans!
The time has come ⏰ Be in your seats by 6.40pm on Saturday night to see us raise the 2022 Premiership Flag! #WeAreGeelong pic.twitter.com/dv5JdRz8QE
— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) April 20, 2023
AFL.com.au reporter Josh Gabelich tracks Callum Wilkie's rise from full-time accountant to one of the game's best defenders.
Saints' elite number-cruncher tallying up the scalps
Callum Wilkie's rise from full-time accountant to one of the AFL's best defenders is complete
One of the greats will notch his milestone 300th game when the Kangaroos play Gold Coast on Sunday, underlining his remarkable longevity.
Good as Goldy: Milestone man keen to play on beyond 2023
Todd Goldstein hopes to continue his career into next year, even if that's as a mentor to the club's younger talls
Shelley Ware joined the team on Yokayi Footy this week. Check it out!
Yokayi Footy E6: The Winmar legacy lives on
Shelley Ware joins Yokayi Footy to reflect on the 30th anniversary of Nicky Winmar's iconic 'Black and Proud' stance against racism.
The Magpie Army has a new recruit...
The newest member of the Magpie Army - @GordonRamsay 🧑🍳 pic.twitter.com/NlGEiEH9Cd
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) April 20, 2023
Some good news for Dees fans...
Angus Brayshaw expects captain Max Gawn to resume his formidable partnership with Brodie Grundy as Melbourne seeks to expose Richmond's makeshift ruck division.
Gawn has returned to full training this week after missing three matches with a knee injury and is firming for a return in the Monday night contest at the MCG.
"He looks like he's moving pretty well," Demons midfielder Brayshaw told reporters on Thursday.
"I hope he plays. He's been doing a lot of work, so his hand's up in the air, for sure.
"The amount of work he does behind the scenes is immense. He's a real professional. If it's possible then I'm sure he'll find a way."
Grundy has impressed Melbourne teammates since his high-profile move from Collingwood in the off-season, particularly with Gawn out injured.
"Brodie's been awesome but together, the two of them, they'll actually improve each other and benefit from playing with each other," Brayshaw said.
"They've only played a couple of games together, so they'll continue to develop and grow, but I think it's a real competitive advantage for us."
Melbourne could also be bolstered by the return of Ben Brown (back), Jake Lever (ankle) and Michael Hibberd (Achilles) as it looks to bounce back from a shock loss to Essendon.
Richmond is on a three-match losing streak and hasn't beaten the Demons since the two sides met behind closed doors in July 2020.
- AAP
Alwyn Davey jnr, Ash Johnson, Connor Zozee, and a host of out-of-contract Saints. Get all the latest contract, free agency and draft news in Inside Trading.
Port eyes deal for gun, clubs watch future picks, Crow to wait
Check out all the latest trade news from around the League
Hawthorn Anzac guernsey for Sunday’s game against Adelaide
Our ANZAC guernsey to be worn for Sunday’s game 🤎 pic.twitter.com/RSiedWSQhU
— Hawthorn FC (@HawthornFC) April 19, 2023
Sydney is making the trek to GMHBA Stadium this weekend to play its Grand Final nemesis Geelong, but co-skipper Luke Parker says the Swans have put the 81-point thrashing behind them.
Grand Final pain to 'spur' Swans in Cats rematch
The pain of the Grand Final loss may help drive the Swans against the Cats
It may seem like an easy assignment on paper, but Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks warned the Crows to remain focused ahead of their clash against the struggling Hawks.
Nicks challenges Crows ahead of 'tough, tough' Hawks clash
Matthew Nicks warned the Crows to remain focused ahead of their clash against the Hawks
Cal Twomey and Riley Beveridge delve into West Coast's list, their big round 5 takeaways, and much more. Check out this week's episode of Gettable.
GETTABLE: Mid-season draft bolter emerges, will rivals target this star Eagle?
Cal Twomey and Riley Beveridge discuss West Coast's list, their big round 5 takeaways, and more
The Suns are 1-4 as they prepare to face North Melbourne this weekend, but coach Stuart Dew remains confident his team can revitalise its season, starting with the Roos.
Dew remains bullish on Suns, but 'the pressure never goes away'
Stuart Dew says he is simply focused on this weekend's clash with North Melbourne and not worried about his own future
The Eagles have called in the reinforcements amid their injury crisis. Retired great Will Schofield will line up for West Coast's WAFL side this weekend, 937 days after he called time on his career.
Where there's a Will: Flag hero returns for injury-hit Eagles
West Coast premiership player Will Schofield is making a return
Need help picking a winner for round six? See who our expert tipsters have backed this week.
Who wins R6? Anzac Day wipeout, two games on a knife's edge
Our footy experts have made the call on round six
AFL Daily
Did you catch today's AFL Daily episode? Damian Barrett and Josh Gabelich talked through the best recruits of 2023 and discussed how the Swans can stop Cats star Jeremy Cameron. Take a listen!