Sport
AFL Pride Game the highlight of Round 21
The pointy end of the AFL season is hotting up with plenty of big games set to light up Round 21.
But before we preview this weekend’s on-field action, we want to take some time to recognise the significance of the Pride Game that will take place at Etihad Stadium tomorrow night between St Kilda and Sydney.
The Saints and Swans will make history on Saturday night, playing in the AFL’s first Pride Game and breaking down barriers to ensure members of the LGBTIQ community feel welcome and comfortable attending AFL matches.
The Pride Match is an important step in the promotion of equality and diversity and it has been embraced remarkably by the AFL industry and community. Expect to see a big crowd attending the game.
The Pride Match will be an important game for other reasons as well. St Kilda must win every remaining match if they are to sneak into the top eight and play finals in 2016. The Swans are sitting in second spot on the ladder, but they are there on percentage alone, so a win this weekend will be crucial for the side’s chances of securing a home final.
St Kilda will enjoy a home ground advantage at Etihad Stadium and the fast-running Saints will be desperate to upset the travelling Sydney Swans. This is a big game; if you want to be there, click here to buy tickets.
It is getting tight at the top. The teams sitting 2-5 on the AFL ladder are only separated by percentage, which makes Round 21 critical for finals places.
The Adelaide Crows have an opportunity to cement their position in the top four, and perhaps the top two, if they can register a percentage-boosting win over Fremantle at Domain Stadium on Sunday.
Fremantle has battled all season, whereas the Crows have shocked many in AFL circles and now find themselves very much in the running for a home final. A win in Round 21 could see Adelaide sitting in second position with matches against Port Adelaide and the West Coast Eagles to follow. For, Freo, it’s a chance to show what they will stand for in 2017.
The Dockers and Crows will play at Domain Stadium on Sunday. Click here to purchase tickets.
The GWS Giants are another team looking to secure a top-two finish and a home final. The young Giants will host the West Coast Eagles at Spotless Stadium on Saturday at 4.35pm. The Eagles are a game off the 2-5 pack, but they could change that with a win over the Giants.
GWS has won its past four matches and will be hot favourites against the faltering Eagles. This game should be tough and close; click here to get your tickets now.
The Western Bulldogs are limping to the line with injuries plaguing the side, but they will go into tonight’s match against Collingwood full of confidence. The Dogs enjoyed a solid win over North Melbourne last weekend, whereas Collingwood lost to Richmond, in what many saw as an upset.
With nothing to play for, it’s hard to see the Pies getting up. The Bulldogs love playing at Etihad Stadium and we expect them to stay in the hunt for the top four with a win tonight. If you want to be there to see the Western Bulldogs play Collingwood, click here to buy tickets.
At the other end of the ladder, pride is on the line with four of the bottom sides playing each other in Round 21. The Brisbane Lions will host Carlton at the Gabba on Saturday at 1.45pm (click here to purchase tickets) and Essendon will be searching for an upset win over the Gold Coast SUNS when they play at Etihad Stadium on Sunday at 1.10pm (click here to purchase tickets).
Rounding out the Round 21 matches, Hawthorn will look to bounce back after a shock loss to Melbourne. The Hawks will play North Melbourne, who are fighting to protect their position in the top eight. Hawthorn will be desperate to win to avoid dropping out of first place and we expect the brown and gold to come out on top of this one.
Port Adelaide will play Melbourne on Saturday night, with the Dees full of confidence after a commanding win over the ladder leaders in Round 20.
The final game of Round 21 has become less about Richmond v Geelong and more about the midfield battle between two of the game’s greats: Dusty v Danger. Dustin Martin and Patrick Dangerfield are both in fine form and the AFL world is licking its collective lips at the possibility they will go head-to-head on Sunday.
With just three Rounds remaining, Round 21 of the AFL is an important weekend of footy. Excitement is at fever pitch as we edge closer and closer to the finals.
