The AFL is back, with the 2024 season shaping up to be the longest planned season on record since the league was established. The season will stretch across almost seven months with 23 rounds of matches to be played for each team.
The first match of the season kicks off tonight at 7:30pm AEDT as the Sydney Swans go up against Melbourne at the SCG. The match will be live and free on Channel Seven and 7mate.
Charlie Spargo has been named by Melbourne for its Opening Round game against Sydney, while Josh Schache has been selected ahead of Tom McDonald for the match.
The weekend is also dedicated to the Opening Round as Brisbane takes on Carlton on Friday 8 March at 7:40pm, Gold Coast is up against Richmond on Saturday 9 March at 4:20pm and the Giants go against Collingwood at 7:30pm.
Seven is also welcoming two new commentators to its team including two-time AFLW Best and Fairest winner, Erin Phillips, and Premiership captain Joel Selwood, who will also co-host the season-long broadcast of Talking Footy.
The new recruits will be joined by Seven’s group of callers including Brian Taylor, James Brayshaw, Alister Nicholson, Jason Bennett, Luke Darcy, Luke Hodge, Abbey Holmes, Matthew Richardson, Shaun Burgoyne, Jobe Watson, Dale Thomas, Tim Watson, Cameron Ling, Nathan Jones, Chris Johnson, Jude Bolton, Mark Soderstrom, Ryan Daniels, Nigel Carmody and Campbell Brown.
Triple M has also bolstered its commentary lineup for the AFL 2024 season including Erin Phillips, Isaac Smith, James Brayshaw, Brian Taylor, Jason Dunstall, Dale Thomas, Abbey Holmes, Mark Ricciuto, Andrew Embley, Kate McCarthy and Bernie Vince.
Sydney v Melbourne, SCG, 7:30 pm AEDT
Sydney Swans lineup
B: L.Melican 43 T.McCartin 30 D.Rampe – C 24
HB: N.Blakey 22 O.Florent 13 J.Lloyd 44
C: J.McInerney 27 Ch.Warner 1 E.Gulden 21
HF: I.Heeney 5 L.McDonald 6 J.Amartey 36
F: T.Papley 11 H.McLean 2 W.Hayward 9
Foll: B.Grundy 4 J.Jordon 17 J.Rowbottom 8
I/C: B.Campbell 16 M.Roberts 34 H.Cunningham 7 S.Wicks 15 R.Fox 42
Emergency: A.Sheldrick 12 P.Ladhams 19 Co.Warner 37
Melbourne lineup
B: B.Howes 22, S.May 1, J.Lever 8
HB: J.McVee 4, A.Tomlinson 20, C.Salem 3
C: E.Langdon 15, C.Petracca 5, T.Rivers 24
HF: J.Viney 7, J.Schache 19, J.van Rooyen 2
F: A.Neal-Bullen 30, B.Fritsch 31, C.Spargo 9
Foll: M.Gawn 11, T.Sparrow 32, C.Oliver 13
I/C: C.Windsor 6, J.Billings 14, B.Laurie 16, J.Bowey 17, K.Chandler 37
Emergency: T.McDonald 25, T.Fullarton 33, T.Woewodin 40