Round 16 concludes with the Kangaroos playing the Bombers at Docklands before the Suns head west to take on table-toppers Fremantle.
Essendon will be looking to win only their second match of the season, while the Kangaroos could return to the top 10 with a win.
Gold Coast have been in a slump of form since the trip to Darwin but the Suns will be hoping to repeat their stunning, historic final win over the Dockers last year.
Follow all the action on our live blog.
Sun 28 Jun 2026 at 15:13
Sun 28 Jun 2026 at 15:13
AFL Sunday scoreboard
Sun 28 Jun 2026 at 15:35
Sun 28 Jun 2026 at 15:35
The first quarter was a bit chaotic at Docklands.
At this moment the ball is flying at breakneck speed.
There is no shortage of energy, especially from Essendon, but there is a relative lack of composure and completion. Itโs not boring though!
Sun 28 Jun 2026 at 15:33
Sun 28 Jun 2026 at 15:33
A couple of misses from Essendon
The Bombers are putting a lot of pressure on North right now, but they are not taking all their chances.
Ben Mackayโs miss was followed by significant forward pressure and the Bombers began to kick as they attempted an open kick. In the end, the choice fell on Darcy Parish, but his shot went wide and scored a point.
Sun 28 Jun 2026 at 15:31
Sun 28 Jun 2026 at 15:31
Bombers make Kangaroos pay
Northโs frustration is growing!
After all these unrewarded entries they allowed the Bombers to clear the field and Ben Mackay fired a long shot into the goal area!
To say Alastair Clarkson looks irritated in the Kangaroosโ coaching box is a serious understatement.
Mackay shoots on goal and Essendon leads.
Sun 28 Jun 2026 at 15:28
Sun 28 Jun 2026 at 15:28
Kangaroos donโt take risks
Weโre about a third of the way through the first quarter.
The Kangaroos have a lot of inside 50โs, but they donโt take advantage of it.
Nick Larkey had a great chance near the post but slipped and then made a mistake.
And just now Larkey missed again, but Cooper Trembath marked him on the line.
And Trembath hits the post!
Itโs 10 from 50 to Northโs two, but they lead by just three points.
Sun 28 Jun 2026 at 15:24
Sun 28 Jun 2026 at 15:24
Bombers are targeting the right side of 50
Itโs still early, but the Bombers appear to be targeting the right side of the 50.
They had a few chances forward through this point, not all of them worked, but maybe they see something in their attack or in that part of the northern defence.
Sun 28 Jun 2026 at 15:21
Sun 28 Jun 2026 at 15:21
Quick reply to Essendon
The Bombers are unfazed by the early goal and have piled on the pressure on the Kangaroos.
They play the ball down the right flank in chaos and handball inside 50, it comes down to Hussien El-Achkar who takes a shot from the field, the ball bounces and Sam Durham grabs it and scores the Bombersโ first goal of the game!
Good job Essendon.
Kangaroo for a point.
Sun 28 Jun 2026 at 15:18
Sun 28 Jun 2026 at 15:18
Kangaroo on the board at the beginning of LDU
It was a bit of a ping-pong affair in the first minute, but the Kangaroos steadied themselves when they managed to get the ball in the middle.
Luke Davies-Uniak runs straight down the lineout and fires a shot from the 50. He rebounds and scores the first goal of the game!
Sun 28 Jun 2026 at 15:15
Sun 28 Jun 2026 at 15:15
Weโre on our way to Docklands
Okay, letโs go.
Sunday football continues in Docklands.
Whoโs going to start this game first?
Sun 28 Jun 2026 at 15:10
Sun 28 Jun 2026 at 15:10
Recent history between North Melbourne and Essendon
- R3, 2026: North Melbourne at 12 (Docklands)
- R8, 2025: Essendon from 3 (Docklands)
- Round 10 2024: Essendon over 40 (Docklands)
- 22 January 2023: Essendon from 9 (Docklands)
- Round 12 2023: Essendon from 6 (Docklands)
- Round 20 2022: Essendon over 48 (Docklands)
When the Kangaroos beat the Bombers in round three this year, it was not only the first win in six games between the sides, but also the first since 2016.
This time around it looks like it will be the same story as last time in form, given Essendon have only won one game all season and North have won seven.
However, there is a decent chance of a close win this afternoon, with four of the last six games decided by two goals or less.
Sun 28 Jun 2026 at 15:05
Sun 28 Jun 2026 at 15:05
Bombers seek support after tough season
The Bombers have had a tough season so far, with just one win all year, an upset victory over Melbourne in the Gather Round.
Theyโre splitting up โ can they bring a little extra energy to kickstart the season as it gets underway in the last couple of months?
Sun 28 June 2026 at 15:00
Sun 28 June 2026 at 15:00
The teams will play the Kangaroos against the Bombers.
(AFL.com.au)
There were no late changes to either team, and you can check out both lineups above.
There have been three changes to North Melbourneโs squad in the past week. Taylor Goad omitted Luke MacDonald manageable and responsible person Tristan Xerri came out with a broken jaw.
Inputs Josh Goater, Callum Coleman-Jones And Wil Dawson.
The Bombers are missing two key players in the Essendon side โ Archie Roberts with a dislocated shoulder and Kyle Langford with quadriceps soreness. Couples also excluded Elijah Tsatas And Nick Cox.
The team includes a fairly strong quartet โ the skipper. Andrew McGrathkey midfielder Darcy Parishdynamic forward Isaac Howe and midfielder Jae Caldwell.
Sun 28 Jun 2026 at 14:44
Sun 28 Jun 2026 at 14:44
Welcome to Sunday Football
Hello, good afternoon and welcome to ABCโs live online coverage of Round 16 of the AFL.
It was a string of interesting results, culminating in last nightโs stunning victory Port Adelaide V Showdown 60. We have two games left to complete.
Today we will first head to the Docklands where Kangaroo will try to return to the top 10 when they take the bottom of the standings Bombers.
Round 16 then concludes with a thrilling match between the top-ranked teams. Fremantle take revenge on the team that knocked them out of last yearโs final, Gold Coast.
My name is Andrew McGarryand Iโll show you all the action from todayโs games.
Letโs jump!