Follow all the events of Sunday 17th round.
Aliir Aliir and Cooper Trembath compete in the first round match between North Melbourne and Port Adelaide in 2026. Photo: AFL Photos
ESSENDON and St Kilda kick off their matches on Sunday before North Melbourne aim for a historic win at Adelaide Oval against Port Adelaide.
The Bombers rallied late to give an inaccurate North Melbourne a scare last week but were eventually flattered by the score, their fourth defeat in as many matches under interim coach Dean Solomon.
BOMBERS – SAINTS Follow it live
The Bombers can take some positives from the way they battled through the game until the end, but they will need to learn to move the ball more fluidly if they are to bolster their hopes for the future.
St Kilda return from a bye with plenty of work to do to justify last year’s spending and earn a place in this season’s finals.
Essendon v St Kilda at Marvel Stadium, 3.15pm AEDT.
NO LATE CHANGES
The Saints have no excuse other than to pay a late fee for at least a wild-card spot with a lucrative home run that starts with the last-place Bombers and also includes the Power, Roos, Tigers and the odd Suns and doesn’t require a trip outside Victoria.
St Kilda waived small forward Dan Butler and rested Jack McRae ahead of the match. Tom De Koning (ribs/lungs) and Jack Sinclair (calves) dropped out due to injury.
Matthaes Phillipou, Toby Travaglia, Liam Henry and Liam O’Connell were recalled.
The Bombers removed Hussien El-Achkar, Harry Jones and Lachie Blakiston, with towering Peter Wright an important addition. Nick Cox and Saad El-Hawly were also recalled.
Port Adelaide made a strong statement and recorded their best win under first-year coach Josh Carr as they thrashed Adelaide, dealing a major blow to the hopes of their top four rivals.
The Showdown win was just reward for much of Power’s efforts this season, as evidenced by a percentage of over 100 and the fourth tightest defense in the competition even when he was ranked 15th.
POWER vs KANGAROO Follow it live
North Melbourne have won three games in a row in one season for the first time in more than seven years after topping Essendon despite misfiring near goal.
The Roos have impressed with their ball movement despite failing to capitalize on their chances against the Bombers, but they will need to make the most of games against the Power, Pies, Demons and Saints before horror strikes last month.
Port Adelaide v North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval, 4:40pm AEDT.
NO LATE CHANGES
The Kangaroos made two changes for the match: Zane Duursma and Callum Coleman-Jones. fallen. Cancer Tristan Xerri returning from injury and veteran Luke MacDonald was withdrawn.
The Power had Miles Bergman back for his first game since the ninth round after toe surgery, but Jacob Wehr was missing.