Live: Dockers and Swans battle for top spot as Lions recall big guns

First it’s Josh Treacy who tries the low percentage banana from a rushed kick in the pocket, then it’s Shai Bolton who misses a set shot on a slight angle about 40m out.

The Dockers have absolutely settled though and looking a lot better than the first 10 minutes.

Oh brilliant stuff from Jordan Clark out of the defensive 50, as he bursts through the Swans forwards untouched, hits up a target, then recollects the ball on the wing, and hits Josh Treacy on the chest.

Treacy drops the mark then muffs the kick forward and that’s no reward for Clark’s magic.

Charlie Curnow hooks one from the pocket after a lovely pass from Matt Roberts.

The Dockers then go straight down the other end, where Shai Bolton races into the F50 but kicks it to the right of the big posts.

Minor scores for both teams here but the Swans are looking the most dangerous of the two through the middle.

Some uncharacteristic skills errors from the Dockers and early on it looks like they’re feeling the occasion a little bit more than the Swans.

First blood Bloods, and it’s Tom Papley who kicks in his first game after six weeks on the sidelines!

He takes the uncontested mark in front of goals and snaps truly.

Little Vance from Busselton tosses the coin as a representative for the Starlight Foundation, and the Swans win the toss.

The atmosphere is electric.

WE ARE UNDERWAY.

It’s Fremantle’s annual fundraiser for the Starlight Foundation tonight, as the club looks to tick over $4 million raised for the foundation since 2003.

The Dockers players are in special warm-up t-shirts featuring artwork created by kids at the Perth Children’s Hospital, who were asked to draw what Starlight meant to them.

Those t-shirts will be auctioned off after the game.

A big hello to you too, Natty, we love having you here as always!

Hard to pick a winner in this one Mike, but my gut feel says Sydney.

And my gut feel is never wrong*.

(*It is just about always wrong picking winners in flip of the coin AFL games).

As you may or may not have seen, tonight’s game will streamed on YouTube by former player turned content creator and SportsBet personality Dan Gorringe.

“The Ultimate Footy Watchalong is about meeting fans where they are, embracing creator-led formats and working with broadcast partners to innovate around live sport,” said AFL executive general manager customer, commercial and technology Bec Haagsma (how that fits on a business card we’ll never know).

Interestingly, the move comes as free-to-air broadcasters face greater gambling restrictions from next season, while streaming services – i.e. YouTube – will reportedly face fewer gambling ad restrictions.

At the same time, our ABC political reporting friends have noted that influencers will be targeted in the upcoming crackdown.

Make of that what you will, but it’s an interesting toe to dip in some interesting water at this point of the season.

Thanks for joining us Phillip, and for anyone not in the know, we’re talking a 6:10pm bounce in Perth (that’s 8:10pm on the east coast).

Fair to say it is early to start a game in Western Australia, but any later and you’re not getting those crucial Victorian eyeballs.

We’re right in the middle of school holidays, so the AFL will be gambling that Victorians are staying up a bit later, while West Australians aren’t rushing the kids away from school to get to Perth Stadium.

We’re going with the selected 23 for both the Swans and Dockers tonight, no late changes for either team.

It is of course Thursday night, which means all other teams have put out their squads for the weekend.

Here’s the key takeaways:

• Scott Pendlebury is back for Collingwood’s clash against North, while the Kangaroos have again lost crucial midfielder George Wardlaw to injury.
• Lachie Whitfield is a big loss to concussion for the Giants in their crucial game against Geelong, but young gun Phoenix Gothard is back. Rookie ruck Mitch Edwards has made way for Jack Bowes as the Cats look to stem their poor run of results.
• The Hawks have two big names back for their game against the Blues, with Karl Amon and Jarman Impey coming into the team.
• The Crows will be boosted by the returns of Riley Thilthorpe and Wayne Milera in their massive clash against the Suns.
• The Bulldogs have made at least FIVE changes to their team for their Sunday clash against the Eagles, with Nick Coffield (concussion), Connor Budarick (ankle), Will Lewis (omitted), Lachie McNeil (omitted) and Riley Sanders (hand) all confirmed out.
• And don’t look now, but the resurgent Lions have recalled Dayne Zorko, Hugh McCluggage and Keidean Coleman into their 23 in an ominous sign for the rest of the competition.

First off let’s check out the selected teams for tonight’s clash:

A couple of big outs for the Dockers with Hayden Young injured and Sean Darcy being managed. Veteran midfielder Jaeger O’Meara comes back into the team and Mason Cox is the like-for-like for Darcy.

For the Swans, it’s a big in with Tom Papley slotting back into that dangerous forward, with Corey Warner heading back to the reserves for the weekend.

 Good evening footy fans and what a treat we have for you today, as the top-spot Dockers take on the Swans, who are just one win behind them on the ladder.

It’s a delightful 19C with a chance of light rain later in the night, but it’s looking otherwise perfect for a good ol’ fashioned AFL blockbuster.

Let’s get into it.

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