Round 17 of the 2024 AFL season beings with a huge Friday night clash between old foes Collingwood and Essendon at the MCG.
Keep up to date with all of the fixtures, games, news, tips, odds, results, reaction, and video as they come to hand.
FRIDAY, JULY 5
Collingwood vs. Essendon
ESPN tip: Bombers by 8 points
Pointsbet odds: Pies $1.50, Bombers $2.60
Result: Collingwood 12.8 (80) def. by Essendon 13.14 (92)
Get your tips in now on the ESPNfootytips app!
SATURDAY, JULY 6
North Melbourne vs. Gold Coast Suns
Team news: Colby McKercher has been recalled after a successful few weeks in the VFL. He'll replace the injured Zac Fisher. The Suns have also made one change, with Ned Moyle to replace Jarrod Witts.
ESPN tip: Roos by 10 points
Pointsbet odds: Roos $2.95, Suns $1.40
Port Adelaide vs. Western Bulldogs
Team news: Josh Sinn (injured) and Will Lorenz (omitted) will make way for Jase Burgoyne and Francis Evans, with Willie Rioli still not wuite right from a calf injury that has kept hime sidelined for almost a month. For the Dogs, Nick Coffield, Buku Khamis and Lachlan McNeil will replace injured duo Liam Jones and Cody Weightman, as well as Oskar Baker (omitted).
ESPN tip: Dogs by 12 points
Pointsbet odds: Power $2.00, Bulldogs $1.80
Jake Michaels explains on Red Time why Tom Stewart's move into the midfield isn't enough to make the Cats a contender again.
Geelong Cats vs. Hawthorn
Team news: Chris Scott has made two changes for this week's clash with the Hawks, with Shaun Mannagh and Oliver Henry named to replace omitted pair Mark O'Connor and Jhye Clark. Unfortunately for the Hawks, Jack Ginnivan and James Sicily will both miss through injury, but key forward Mitch Lewis will make his long-awaited return as one of three inclusions.
ESPN tip: Cats by 16 points
Pointsbet odds: Cats $1.55, Hawks $2.45
GWS Giants vs. Carlton
Team news: GWS runners Josh Kelly and Lachie Ash have both fallen injured again in big blows for Adam Kingsley's side, but debutant Joe Fonti, Aaron Cadman, James Peatling, and Darcy Jones have all been named. For the Blues, Tom De Koning and Matthew Cottrell return to replace omitted pair Marc Pittonet and George Hewett.
ESPN tip: Blues by 19 points
Pointsbet odds: Giants $2.05, Blues $1.77
Fremantle Dockers vs. Richmond
Team news: Fremantle will welcome back important swingman Brennan Cox who is set to feature in his first match since Round 1, with small forward Michael Walters also named after recovering from a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, Dustin Martin (managed) will be replaced in the Richmond side by Noah Cumberland.
ESPN tip: Dockers by 38 points
Pointsbet odds: Dockers $1.10, Tigers $7.00
SUNDAY, JULY 7
Melbourne vs. West Coast Eagles
Team news: Jake Melksham will come straight back into his side almost 12 months after suffering an ACL injury, with Christian Salem and Jake Bowey also named. For the Eagles, Jack Williams and Jack Hutchinson replace Matt Flynn (injured) and Ryan Maric (omitted).
ESPN tip: Demons by 41 points
Pointsbet odds: Demons $1.17, Eagles $5.00
St Kilda vs. Sydney Swans
Team news: The Saints have made a host of changes, with Dougal Howard, Ryan Byrnes, Mattaes Phillipou, Tim Membrey and Ben Paton all coming into the side. Max King (knee) will miss the rest of the season. For the Swans, Robbie Fox and Matt Roberts will come in for Harry Cunningham (injured) and Caiden Cleary (omitted).
ESPN tip: Swans by 24 points
Pointsbet odds: Saints $3.50, Swans $1.30
Brisbane Lions vs. Adelaide Crows
Team news: The Lions have made one change, with key defender Jack Payne replacing Darragh Joyce. Meanwhile, Brodie Smith will replace Will Hamill for the Crows.
ESPN tip: Lions by 19 points
Pointsbet odds: Lions $1.20, Crows $4.50