Follow all the events of Sunday 18th round.
Harrison Petty during Melbourne’s game against Hawthorn in R10, 2026. Photo: AFL Photos
MELBOURNE brought Jack Melksham into their side against Richmond after Harrison Petty was forced to withdraw.
Petty was a late scratch with a hamstring problem and Bailey Fritsch was pulled from Saturday’s game despite being named on the starting team, with Aidan Johnson coming on in his place.
Melbourne returned to the top four in the race after making a stunning start against Hawthorn last Saturday before taking its foot off the gas in the second half and losing some of the percentage gains it had briefly held.
DEMONS vs TIGERS Follow it live
The Demons will still be riding high after their first interstate win this year and will now return to their happy hunting grounds at home, where they have won all eight of their matches this season.
Richmond gave a red-hot Carlton a big scare under the lights but were not polished enough to finish the job as they suffered the narrowest of five defeats in a row.
Melbourne – Richmond MCG, 15:15 AEST
LATE CHANGES
Melbourne: Harrison Petty (hamstring) is replaced on the selected team by Jake Melksham.
The Tigers have at least been able to play more of their highly touted prospects in recent weeks as their injury list gradually clears up and they look to make the most of playing a fourth match in a row at the MCG.
Richmond have named their eighth debutant of the season, with Zane Poker named play your first game. He joins Dion Prestia and Sam Grle as additions to the team.
However, the Tigers are without key defensive duo Jaden Short and Jack Ross, who both missed with injuries, and Steely Green was left out of the game.
Brisbane can continue their path to a top-four finish when they close out the round against Essendon.
Brisbane are showing history can repeat itself as it overcomes a slow start to the campaign and builds momentum with four straight wins either side of the bye.
LIONS – BOMBERS Follow it live
The Lions underlined the threat they pose by defeating the Cats after defeating the Swans a week earlier, while they were the highest-scoring team during that ominous stretch, averaging 117.5 points per game.
Essendon continued their downward spiral, with a fifth straight defeat under interim coach Dean Solomon perhaps the most worrying of all.
The Bombers have rarely been competitive over this stretch, especially with the game on the line, but they barely whined after their defeat to the Saints and will likely have to work hard to avoid an even bigger showdown with the two-time reigning premiers.
Essendon made a strong statement in selection by dropping Ben Mackay among five changes, with Bombers interim coach Dean Solomon swinging the ax after his side’s poor performance against St Kilda.
Will Setterfield, Nick Cox and Saad El Hawly are also axed, with Jordan Ridley taking over as manager.
The Bombers have Archie Roberts back from a shoulder injury, defender Angus Clarke will play his first game of the season and Harry Jones is also recalled.
The Lions are closing in on their strongest side as Hugh McCluggage and Dane Zorko face the Bombers again.
Darcy Gardiner will miss the match through injury and James Tunstill will miss the match.
BULDOGS vs. EAGLES Follow it live
Western Bulldogs vs. West Coast at Marvel Stadium, 1:10 p.m. EST.
NO LATE CHANGES