PORT ADELAIDE’s Round 19 fixture against Collingwood will go ahead as planned at Adelaide Oval on Friday night with a slightly earlier start time.
The AFL confirmed the fixture would start five minutes earlier, with first bounce at 6:40pm ACST, as part of an update to the weekend’s schedule.
Three round 20 games will be played in Round 19 to best manage current border restrictions including new games involving Brisbane v Gold Coast, Adelaide v Hawthorn and Melbourne v Western Bulldogs.
The Geelong v Richmond game is still to have a final start time and the final game of the round involving Essendon v Greater Western Sydney is yet to have a venue or time allocated.
Collingwood will require an exemption to enter South Australia from Victoria for the game against Port to go ahead.
Friday night’s game will be the 300th for Port Adelaide midfielder Travis Boak.
AFL Executive General Manager Clubs and Broadcasting Travis Auld said the league would continue to make decisions that ensure the season continued to progress.
“We will continue to make changes that best manage the current environment, progresses our season and protects the health and safety of those in our game and the wider community,” Mr Auld said.
“While the Round in which some matches will be played has changed, our intention remains to complete the home-and-away season with the matchups as originally scheduled.
“The pandemic will continue to challenge us over the coming weeks and, as an industry, we will band together and remain adaptable as we navigate those challenges.
“As we have done throughout the pandemic, we will work closely with respective State and Territory Governments, all AFL Clubs and other key stakeholders while ensuring the health and safety of the community remains paramount.”
AFL Executive General Manager Football Operations Andrew Dillon commended AFL players, umpires and league-wide football staff for their commitment to progressing the season.
“I want to specifically call out and thank each and every umpire and the umpiring team, each player and their families, and every AFL and Club match day staffer for the role they continue to play to keep the season going,” Mr Dillon said.
“They’re the group who often go unnoticed but the professionalism, dedication and willingness from AFL umpires and football staff who continually go above and beyond to deliver nine games of football each weekend is to be commended.”
Round 19
*All times listed local to the venue
Friday, July 23
Port Adelaide vs. Collingwood, Adelaide Oval (SEVEN)* 6.40pm
Saturday, July 24
Carlton vs. North Melbourne, Marvel Stadium (FOX) 1.45pm
Brisbane Lions vs. Gold Coast SUNS, The Gabba (FOX) 3.10pm
West Coast Eagles vs. St Kilda, Optus Stadium (FOX) 2.35pm
Adelaide Crows vs. Hawthorn, Adelaide Oval (FOX)* 5.40pm
Melbourne vs. Western Bulldogs, MCG (SEVEN) 7.25pm
Sunday, July 25
Sydney Swans vs. Fremantle, Metricon Stadium (FOX) 12.30pm
Geelong Cats vs. Richmond, MCG (FOX) TBC
Essendon vs. GWS GIANTS, TBC (FOX) TBC
