Game Information
People First Stadium
Team Stats
-
Disposals
- ESS 321
- 310 MELB
-
Kicks
- ESS 171
- 200 MELB
-
Handballs
- ESS 150
- 110 MELB
-
Free Kicks
- ESS 12
- 15 MELB
-
Clearances
- ESS 22
- 22 MELB
-
Inside 50
- ESS 44
- 39 MELB
-
Tackles
- ESS 43
- 26 MELB
-
Hit-Outs
- ESS 18
- 28 MELB
Score Worm
Game Leaders
Goals
17
J. Stewart3 Goals
5
J. Hunt4 Goals
Disposals
9
D. Shiel25 Disposals
3
C. Petracca23 Disposals
Contested Possessions
9
D. Shiel10 Contested Possessions
7
J. Viney11 Contested Possessions
Scoring Plays
| fourth Quarter | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Team | Play | Score |
| 27:14 |  | B. Zerk-Thatcher Behind | 49 - 68 |
| 24:23 |  | B. Fritsch Goal | 48 - 68 |
| 23:34 | | B. Fritsch Behind | 48 - 62 |
| 22:04 | | B. Fritsch Goal | 48 - 61 |
| 19:59 | | D. Shiel Goal | 48 - 55 |
| 16:10 | | J. Stewart Goal | 42 - 55 |
| 12:09 | | D. Smith Goal | 36 - 55 |
| 10:42 | | J. Hunt Goal | 30 - 55 |
| 6:55 | | Rushed | 30 - 49 |
| 6:16 | | T. Cutler Behind | 29 - 49 |
| 4:46 | | D. Smith Behind | 28 - 49 |
| 1:47 | | J. Stewart Goal | 27 - 49 |
| third Quarter | |||
| Time | Team | Play | Score |
| 21:23 | | J. Stewart Goal | 21 - 49 |
| 16:28 | | J. Hunt Goal | 15 - 49 |
| 9:20 | | M. Brown Behind | 15 - 43 |
| 4:48 | | J. Stringer Behind | 15 - 42 |
| second Quarter | |||
| Time | Team | Play | Score |
| 19:46 | | C. Petracca Goal | 14 - 42 |
| 18:38 | | J. Stewart Behind | 14 - 36 |
| 15:47 | | B. Fritsch Behind | 13 - 36 |
| 14:22 | | A. Neal-Bullen Goal | 13 - 35 |
| 12:42 | | M. Brown Behind | 13 - 29 |
| 10:53 | | J. Hunt Goal | 13 - 28 |
| 6:53 | | J. Ridley Behind | 13 - 22 |
| 4:41 | | B. Fritsch Goal | 12 - 22 |
| 2:44 | | A. Neal-Bullen Goal | 12 - 16 |
| first Quarter | |||
| Time | Team | Play | Score |
| 22:09 | | J. Stringer Goal | 12 - 10 |
| 17:56 | | C. Spargo Behind | 6 - 10 |
| 14:35 | | B. Fritsch Behind | 6 - 9 |
| 9:49 | | J. Hunt Goal | 6 - 8 |
| 8:18 | | J. Laverde Goal | 6 - 2 |
| 3:14 | | B. Fritsch Behind | 0 - 2 |
| 1:30 | | Rushed | 0 - 1 |
AFL News
![]()
Tanner Bruhn set to return after 'egregious injustice' in false rape allegation
Geelong's Tanner Bruhn is set for his first AFL game in 17 months after suffering the "egregious" injustice of being falsely accused of rape, his coach says.
![]()
Michaels: Bont the best player in the AFL going into 2026
Jake Michaels reveals his No. 1 player going into the new season, with Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli ranked at the top.
![]()
AFL Opening Round: Team news, fixtures, games, tips, odds - everything you need to know for the round of football
Opening Round of the AFL season gets underway Thursday evening with a blockbuster clash between Sydney and Carlton at the SCG. Here's the latest selection news and team whispers.
![]()
Over or under? Projecting each AFL team's 2026 win total
The 2026 AFL season has arrived, so it's time to project the win total over/under for each of the 18 teams. Who will hit the over? Who will fall under?
![]()
Ranking every AFL position group, 1-18: Best and worst defences, forwards, and midfields
We graded positions for every AFL team and stacked them 1 to 18. Who has the best overall list? Who looks shaky? And which team should you watch out for in 2026?
![]()
Expert tips, best tips for Opening Round of the AFL
Who should you be tipping in Opening Round of the 2026 AFL season? Our footy experts have put their heads together to help you out. So open your ESPN Footytips app, take notes, and get ahead of the game!
2025 AFL Standings
| POS | Team | Pts. | % | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 ADEL
|
72 | 139.3 | WWWWW |
| 2 |
 GEEL
|
68 | 141.5 | WWWWW |
| 3 |
 BL
|
66 | 114.2 | LWLWW |
| 4 |
 COLL
|
64 | 122.4 | WLLLW |
| 5 |
 GWS
|
64 | 115.3 | WLWWW |
| 6 |
 FRE
|
64 | 109.0 | WWWLW |
| 7 |
 SUNS
|
60 | 124.9 | WWLLW |
| 8 |
 HAW
|
60 | 120.9 | WLWWL |
| 9 |
 WB
|
56 | 137.0 | WWWWL |
| 10 |
 SYD
|
48 | 97.0 | LWWLW |
| 11 |
 CARL
|
36 | 96.7 | LLLWW |
| 12 |
 STK
|
36 | 88.5 | WWWWL |
| 13 |
 PORT
|
36 | 79.8 | LLLLW |
| 14 |
 MELB
|
28 | 93.3 | LWLLL |
| 15 |
 ESS
|
24 | 69.5 | LLLLL |
| 16 |
 NMFC
|
22 | 76.3 | LLLWL |
| 17 |
 RICH
|
20 | 66.0 | LLLLL |
| 18 |
 WCE
|
4 | 60.1 | LLLLL |