3m agoSat 21 Jun 2025 at 3:21am
We’re underway at the MCG
By Kyle Pollard
By Kyle Pollard
And Jack Darling is going off with a very, very bad gash down his leg.
Oh that’s a gruesome one. He’s limping off reasonably comfortably but the gash looks like it’s going to need stiches or glue.
There’s a risk his day could be done early.
Carlton vs North Melbourne line-ups
By Kyle Pollard
By Kyle Pollard
Here’s how they’ll be lining up today.
And a reminder that Jesse Motlop is the sub for Carlton, and Zac Fisher is the sub for North Melbourne.
24m agoSat 21 Jun 2025 at 3:01am
Rare MCG trip for North Melbourne
By Kyle Pollard
By Kyle Pollard
It’s not often that these North players get to run out on the hallowed turf.
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This will be North Melbourne’s seventh game at the MCG in the past five years, and just their 15th in the past decade.
They broke a run of nine losses earlier in the year when they knocked off Richmond in Round 10 by four points.
And would you believe, this is the first time these two teams have played at the MCG since April 10, 2004.
On that day, North Melbourne beat Carlton by five points as Jesse Motlop’s dad, Daniel, kicked four goals, Cooper Harvey’s dad, Brent, kicked two snags from 18 touches, and Jackson Archer’s dad, Glenn, went off without a touch after hurting himself.
It’s fun fact Friday on a Saturday.
32m agoSat 21 Jun 2025 at 2:53am
Swans on the rebound?
By Kyle Pollard
By Kyle Pollard
Hey all can’t wait for some good footy today and tonight heading to the Collingwood game today should be exciting to see them again post bye . In terms of the early games Sydney’s season on the rebound
– Bailey
Welcome Bailey and good luck tonight at Docklands (I said the MCG originally)!
Can Sydney rebound up the ladder with a kickstarting victory over Port? The Swans have a really interesting run home after today’s game:
- Bulldogs at the SCG
- Dockers at the SCG
- Saints at Docklands
- Kangaroos at the SCG
- Giants at Sydney Showground
- Bombers at the SCG
- Lions at the Gabba
- Cats at the SCG
- Eagles at Perth Stadium
The Lions game aside, they’re playing the really tough opponents in New South Wales on the run home.
A win over Port and that road to September opens wide up for the Swans.
Charlie rolls in on his bike, subs confirmed
By Kyle Pollard
By Kyle Pollard
Just a moment of confusion here from security staff as star Carlton forward Charlie Curnow rolls in on his pushy.
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Meanwhile, it’s confirmed that there are no late changes for either team.
Jesse Motlop will start as sub for the Blues, and it will be Zac Fisher for the Kangaroos.
Today’s AFL schedule
By Kyle Pollard
By Kyle Pollard
As mentioned, we’ve got three games today and I’d argue there a four teams out of the six whose finals hopes will hinge on whatever happens through the afternoon and evening.
- Carlton vs North Melbourne at the MCG from 1:20pm (AEST)
- Port Adelaide vs Sydney at Adelaide Oval from from 4:15pm (AEST), 3:45pm (ACST)
- Collingwood vs St Kilda at Docklands from 7:35pm (AEST)
Carlton currently sits two wins outside the eight and will be desperate to notch a win against the increasingly dangerous Kangaroos.
For the Power and the Swans, is it lights out for whichever team walks away with zero points? Port holds the same record as Carlton but has a truly awful percentage, while the Swans sit a further game back.
And the Saints face a real uphill battle against the Pies, sitting 5-8 and needing a win to stay in touch of the finals.
Welcome to Saturday footy
By Kyle Pollard
By Kyle Pollard
Good afternoon footy fans, my name is Kyle Pollard and I’ll be taking you through today’s early AFL action.
Maybe it’s too early to use the term “season defining” but by gum, I’m going to use it anyway for all three games today.
Let’s get into it!
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