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AFL round 22 live updates: Melbourne vs Fremantle, Sydney vs Port Adelaide, Geelong vs Essendon, Adelaide vs Richmond — blog, scores and stats
The Dockers make a rare visit to the MCG ahead of finals as the ladder leaders take on Melbourne ahead of the Swans hosting the Power in Sydney.
With three games left, Fremantle will officially be minor premiers — locking in two home finals — if they win at headquarters, while Sydney has to keep winning to hold on to second spot as they play Port Adelaide in the twilight game.
Tonight, Geelong will host Essendon at Kardinia Park and the Crows will look for another big win to hang on to a top-four spot when they take on Richmond at Adelaide Oval.
Follow all the action in our live blog.
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Live updates
Sat 8 Aug 2026 at 1:02pm
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Sat 8 Aug 2026 at 1:20pm
Sparrow with the INSTANT reply for the Demons!
Oh my goodness, if this play is any guide, we're in for a ripper today.
Straight after the Voss goal, Max Gawn wins the centre clearance and hands off to Kozzy Pickett, who dishes off a brilliant handball to the advantage of Tom Sparrow.
Sparrow doesn't even have to break strike and hammers it through from 40m out.
Sat 8 Aug 2026 at 1:19pm
Voss gets the double cobras out after opening goal
The early signs are that we've got good Pat Voss in the building this afternoon!
Caleb Serong wrenches the ball out of a stoppage at halfback and puts a lovely kick inside 50 to the advantage of Voss.
Voss isn't always the most reliable set shot, but absolutely flushes this from directly in front and gets the double-cobra celebration out.
Key Event
Sat 8 Aug 2026 at 1:17pm
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon breaks silence on concussion saga
After a couple of days of radio silence, the AFL boss has done the media rounds this morning.
Here's what he's told ABC Radio on the Geelong concussion saga that has engulfed the league:
"This is an issue that is really complex and in this one in particular it's complex and unique.
"But concussion and the effects that has on players or participants in contact sports ... is an issue that's confronting contact sports worldwide.
"What we have here is a player that has suffered multiple concussions, went before an AFL concussion panel, ultimately over a period of months was cleared as fit to play.
"Through that period, over a number of months, Jake's worked with the club doctors, independent medical experts, the club, and the club board and management to make sure that he understood their were risks to continue playing, not withstanding that you've been cleared medically fit to play.
"That was the intent behind what was going on."
Sat 8 Aug 2026 at 1:15pm
Play underway between Melbourne and Fremantle
We're off and running at the MCG folks!
How about the ruck match-up for this afternoon as Max Gawn faces off against Luke Jackson.
You'd figure that both men will feature in this year's All-Australian side.
It's hard to believe now that they once played on the same team.
All the big guns in the middle for Freo with Caleb Serong and Andy Brayshaw also in at the first bounce.
Shai Bolton is also in there, and it looks like Jack Steele has the run-with job on him.
Sat 8 Aug 2026 at 1:11pm
Recent history between Melbourne and Fremantle
Here's a look at how the last five meetings between these two sides have gone:
R2, 2026: Fremantle 17.16 (118) def. Melbourne 10.10 (70) @ Perth Stadium
R6, 2025: Melbourne 16.11 (107) def. Fremantle 14.13 (97) @ MCG
R19, 2024: Fremantle 17.14 (116) def. Melbourne 10.6 (66) @ Perth Stadium
R12, 2024: Fremantle 22.9 (141) def. Melbourne 7.7 (49) @ Traeger Park, Alice Springs
R11, 2023: Fremantle 12.7 (79) def. Melbourne 10.12 (72) @ MCG
Key Event
Sat 8 Aug 2026 at 1:06pm
Melbourne vs Fremantle team news —No late changes
Both Melbourne and Fremantle are lining up as originally selected this afternoon at the MCG.
The Dees have made two changes to last week's side with Daniel Turner and Kade Chandler coming in for Blake Howes and Paddy Cross.
The Dockers have made just the one change with Alex Pearce managed for this week. Brennan Cox takes his spot in defence.
Sat 8 Aug 2026 at 1:04pm
Welcome!
Good afternoon and welcome to ABC Sport's live AFL coverage!
Round 22 continues today and it kicks off with an absolutely huge clash at the MCG as Melbourne hosts ladder-leaders Fremantle.
Also on deck is Sydney's clash with Port Adelaide at the SCG from 4:15pm, Geelong's clash with Essendon at Kardinia Park from 4:35pm and Adelaide's clash with Richmond at the Adelaide Oval from 7:35pm.
The Dockers and Demons are just going through their final paces at the MCG, so strap yourselves in as we bring you all the action.