Live: Dockers, Cats meet in Perth blockbuster to start round 15

Thursday night football features the match of round 15 in the AFL, with ladder leaders Fremantle up against third-placed Geelong at Perth Stadium.

The Dockers have won a club-record 12 straight games, while the Cats will be without star midfielder Bailey Smith, who has been ruled out with illness.

Follow all the action in out live blog.

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Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 7:50pm

Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 7:50pm

AFL Thursday Scoreboard

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Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 8:05pm

Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 8:05pm

'We'll give him as much time as he needs': GWS coach Adam Kingsley on Toby Greene's future

By Andrew McGarry

Speculation may be growing about Toby Greene's future at GWS beyond this season, but Giants coach Adam Kingsley is in no rush to force a decision from the team's skipper.

Giants captain Greene is off-contract at the end of the season and eligible for unrestricted free agency.

Geelong has emerged as a possible suitor for the 32-year-old Victorian, who has played all 274 matches in his career at GWS, making him the all-time games record holder for the Giants.

"I'd prefer him to sign today, but the reality is that's not going to happen," Kingsley said.

"He needs time to discuss and think, so we'll give him as much time as he needs."

You can check out more on this story here:

Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 8:02pm

Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 8:02pm

Can the Cats make it a double over Freo in 2026?

By Andrew McGarry

Fremantle has won a club-record 12 games in a row, and they are going for 13 tonight.

The Dockers have only lost to one side this season. The team? Of course it's Chris Scott's Geelong side, who won in round one.

Can they do it again, this time in the west? You certainly wouldn't write them off, and this game is a challenging way for Freo to come back from the bye.

If the Cats can do it, then that will be both a boost to them and a blow to the Dockers' confidence.

If they can't, then that will add to the sense that 2026 might well be Fremantle's year.

Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 7:58pm

Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 7:58pm

Magpies coach Craig McRae says Bobby Hill is a 'work in progress'

By Andrew McGarry

Collingwood forward Bobby Hill has returned to Magpies training, but his coach has tried to set realistic expectations on his chances of playing senior football soon.

The 2023 Norm Smith has played three VFL matches this year and his most recent AFL appearance was in round 22 last season.

Asked how Hill was faring, coach Craig McRae said: "Truthfully, battling."

"He's a work in progress, but it's nice to have him in the building.

"He's a long way away from playing footy … but again, when he's in our building, at least we get some opportunities to make him feel that he's loved and appreciated."

You can read more about McRae's thoughts on Hill, and the prospects of Brayden Maynard of overcoming his shoulder injury in our story:

Key Event

Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 7:47pm

Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 7:47pm

Big ins for Freo, a big out for Geelong

By Andrew McGarry

There are no late changes for either side.

But there are some interesting ins and outs from the originally named teams.

The Dockers have omitted Jaeger O'Meara, Corey Wagner and Oscar McDonald.

In come key midfielder Caleb Serong, speedy midfielder Matthew Johnson and key defender Brennan Cox come in to strengthen the Freo line-up.

For Geelong, there is one out, and it's a big one. Bailey Smith is out of the Cats line-up due to illness.

There's no denying that Smith will be a big miss.

In the last six games for the Cats, he has been averaging a hefty 34 disposals, seven inside 50s and 5.5 clearances. Not bad.

Former Sun Jack Bowes comes back in.

Key Event

Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 7:39pm

Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 7:39pm

Welcome to Thursday night football

By Andrew McGarry

Hello, good evening and welcome to ABC's live online coverage of round 15 in the AFL.

The round kicks off tonight - and what a way to start!

We head to Perth Stadium for the match of the round, with top of the table Fremantle hosting on third-placed Geelong.

There are lots of big forwards who might be looking at a few goals this evening, and a few small forwards who might be getting snap-happy from the pockets as well.

My name is Andrew McGarry, and I will be bringing you all the action tonight.

Let's jump in!