Live: Swans, Bulldogs clash in Sydney ahead of Eagles vs Crows in Perth

It's a Friday night double bill of footy as the Swans host the Bulldogs in a finals-shaping clash in Sydney ahead of a late game in Perth.

Second-placed Sydney will be determined to bounce back after a bad loss to Brisbane, while the Melbourne visitors need a win to crack the top six.

Later, West Coast face Adelaide at Perth Stadium, with the Crows needing a win on the road to avoid potentially slipping out of the automatic finals spots.

Follow all the action in our live blog.

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Fri 3 Jul 2026 at 7:18pm

Fri 3 Jul 2026 at 7:18pm

Eagles vs Crows team news — Thilthorpe a late out

Some big team news coming out of the West ahead of the first bounce with Adelaide star Riley Thilthorpe set to miss tonight's clash due to illness.

Thilthorpe will be replaced in the Adelaide side by Billy Dowling.

Adelaide's other change from last week's side that lost to Port is Isaac Cumming being axed for Toby Murray.

West Coast has three changes from last week with Tim Kelly, Jack Williams and Oliver Francou coming in for Ryan Maric, Elijah Hewett and Cooper Duff-Tytler.

Here's a look at how the two teams line up against each other.

Fri 3 Jul 2026 at 7:15pm

Fri 3 Jul 2026 at 7:15pm

Last time the Dogs met the Swans

By Henry Hanson

It was an outing to forget for the Bulldogs, who went down by 66 points in Round 7.

But the Dogs come into tonight's match in a good spot, having won five of their last seven before last week's bye.

Coach Luke Beveridge says the slate is clean ahead of the rematch.

"The team we picked this week would be nine or 10 players different to the last time we played Sydney," Beveridge said.

"They'll have probably five or six different as well, some handy players back who we didn't play against.

"So both teams are a bit different ... it'll be a great way to start some momentum in the back third of the year."

With AAP

Fri 3 Jul 2026 at 7:05pm

Fri 3 Jul 2026 at 7:05pm

Dos goes bang in the VFL

By Henry Hanson

Obviously, there would have never been a good time for Joel Amartey to go down injured, but Swans fans can take some heart from the fact that replacement Hayden McLean is in pretty good nick at the minute.

McLean kicked six as the Swans mauled Sandringham in the VFL last week.

Fri 3 Jul 2026 at 7:00pm

Fri 3 Jul 2026 at 7:00pm

Amartey's absence

By Henry Hanson

A disappointing loss to Brisbane last weekend was soured even further midweek, with Sydney confirming that key forward Joel Amartey would be facing a prolonged spell on the sidelines.

Scans revealed Amartey, who has kicked 28 goals in 2026, sustained a partial tear of the Achilles tendon in the final quarter against the Lions, and that he will miss 10 weeks of football.

It will be Hayden McLean, set for just his fifth game of year, with a golden opportunity to push his case for more regular gametime.

Fri 3 Jul 2026 at 6:50pm

Fri 3 Jul 2026 at 6:50pm

Sydney celebrates its annual Pride Game

By Henry Hanson

It's a tradition that has been running since 2016 and celebrates inclusivity and the LBTGQIA+ community.

Check out this piece by the ABC's Marnie VInall, in which she tells the story of Sydney's first and little-known pride game.

Great read.

Fri 3 Jul 2026 at 6:40pm

Fri 3 Jul 2026 at 6:40pm

Welcome!

By Chris De Silva

Good evening and welcome to ABC Sport's live AFL coverage!

We've got another Friday night double-header tonight and I'll have Henry Hanson alongside me to cover all the action.

The first match is a proper belter as Sydney hosts the Western Bulldogs from 7:40pm at the SCG with both sides looking to shore up top eight spots.

The second match might be one that is a little trickier than it looks on paper as West Coast hosts Adelaide at Perth Stadium from 8:10pm.

Henry will bring you all the coverage from the Swans-Dogs clash, while I'll cover the proceedings from WA.

All times AEST.