Live: Hawks look for revenge against Dees as Giants host ladder-leaders Freo

Hawthorn hosts Melbourne in Tasmania as the GWS Giants take on a red-hot Fremantle in Canberra.

Later on Saturday, Gold Coast hosts Collingwood at Carrara Stadium from 4:15pm before Richmond and Carlton face off at the MCG from 7:35pm (all times AEST).

Follow the live blog below, keep up to date with all the latest stats in our ScoreCentre, and tune in to our live radio coverage.

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Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 1:00pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 1:00pm

AFL Round 17 Saturday live scoreboard

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Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 1:50pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 1:50pm

QT: Melbourne 7.5 (47) leads Hawthorn 1.2 (8)

By Andrew McGarry

The siren sounds in Launceston, and the Hawks are officially shocked.

The Demons have kicked SEVEN first quarter goals, and they lead Hawthorn by 39 points.

Sam Mitchell will have a hell of a lot to think about in the coaches box - will he deliver the bake of all time to his players? Or does he have an answer?

The Demons have been playing up to their best performances under Steven King. If nothing changes here, the Dees are going to be in the top six after this!

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 1:45pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 1:45pm

Giants lead early in Canberra

By Andrew McGarry

The action is on at Manuka Oval, and the Giants have a slight early lead.

Jake Stringer has kicked the opening goal, and after a behind from Murphy Reid, Stephen Coniglio has added another goal for the home side.

GWS leads by 13 points with 14 minutes on the clock in the first term.

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 1:41pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 1:41pm

Demons in control in Launceston

By Andrew McGarry

We are in time on at York Park, and the Demons are still in control.

Josh Ward kicked Hawthorn's opener a few minutes back, but Bailey Laurie has just snapped Melbourne's fifth of the quarter, and the lead is back out to 27 points!

Upset is on.

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 1:33pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 1:33pm

Recent results between GWS and Fremantle

By Andrew McGarry

R10, 2025: Fremantle by 34 (Sydney Showground)

R23, 2024: GWS by 9 (Sydney Showground)

R14, 2023: GWS by 70 (Sydney Showground)

R23, 2022: Fremantle by 20 (Manuka Oval)

R4, 2022: Fremantle by 34 (Perth Stadium)

R2, 2021: Fremantle by 31 (Perth Stadium)

The Dockers lead recent meetings between them and the Giants 4-2, despite only playing in Perth twice during that time.

In total this will be the 17th meeting of the two clubs. So far, it is seven wins to GWS, nine wins to Fremantle.

As far as today's venue goes, there have been three encounters held in Canberra. Fremantle has won two and the Giants one.

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 1:30pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 1:30pm

Teams are in for GWS vs Fremantle

By Andrew McGarry

There are no late changes for either side, and you can check out the full line-ups above.

For the Giants, there are two big injuries to come out of the loss to Carlton. Max Gruzewski is out for four weeks with a knee injury, while Brent Daniels' calf injury has him out for an unspecified time, given his history.

Also out are Leek Aleer and Phoenix Gothard who are both managed.

In come two debutants, Jack Ough and Canberran native Riley Hamilton. Also coming in are Josaia Delana and Harry Rowston.

In contrast, there are no changes at all for the Dockers.

That's not surprising, given Freo has now won 14 games in a row.

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 1:28pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 1:28pm

Harrison Petty adds to Melbourne's lead

By Andrew McGarry

The Demons are dominating the inside 50s, with eight to Hawthorn's four.

Harrison Petty missed a shot a couple of minutes ago, but the Dees have hit him up again inside 50, and he has slotted his team's third of the day!

The lead is 19 points, and Melbourne are in charge early doors at York Park.

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 1:27pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 1:27pm

Injury problem for Demons as Bayley Fritsch goes to the rooms

By Andrew McGarry

Not sure what the problem is, but Bayley Fritsch has headed down to the rooms after kicking his early goal.

He has disappeared inside and has been joined by medical staff. That would be a big loss if he can't return. We'll keep an eye on things.

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 1:24pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 1:24pm

Debutant Matt Hill kicks a point for the Hawks

By Andrew McGarry

The Hawks have been struggling to get their hands on the ball, but they did there.

The ball came to debutant Matt Hill, and he used his speed to create some space and snap - but it goes wide for a point.

They'll be happy the former rugby league player has got involved early. He looks a likely type, with skill and speed.

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 1:22pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 1:22pm

Another great finish for Melbourne

By Andrew McGarry

The Demons are on top here at York Park, they force the ball forward and get a forward 50 stoppage. Ed Langdon gets the spill, and he runs on and then dribbles a perfect right-foot kick through from near the boundary deep in the pocket!

What a start! Demons by 12

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 1:20pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 1:20pm

Bayley Fritsch opens the scoring for Melbourne!

By Andrew McGarry

We've had a couple of minutes' play in Launceston, and the Demons have had the better of proceedings so far.

They have managed some repeat entries, and now they find Bayley Fritsch in the right forward pocket. He marks, and curls the ball beautifully round and through for a goal!

Key Event

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 1:15pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 1:15pm

We are underway in Launceston

By Andrew McGarry

Here we go at York Park!

There has been a bit of comment about the state of the surface, which doesn't like that flash, to be honest.

Apparently there has been some solid rain the last week or so, which in racing terms means there's a bit of cut in the ground.

Let's see how the players go, shall we?

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 1:14pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 1:14pm

Recent results between Hawthorn and Melbourne

By Andrew McGarry

R10, 2026: Melbourne by 39 (MCG)

R23, 2025: Hawthorn by 36 (MCG)

R9, 2025: Hawthorn by 35 (MCG)

R2, 2024: Melbourne by 55 (MCG)

R23, 2023: Melbourne by 27 (MCG)

R9, 2023: Melbourne by 54 (MCG)

The Demons have had the edge in this match-up recently, with four wins out of the last six.

None of the meetings have been close encounters, with the average margin of 41 points.

This game is in Launceston, where these two teams have never played each other before.

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 1:04pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 1:04pm

Teams are in for Hawthorn vs Melbourne

By Andrew McGarry

There are no late changes for either side, and you take a look at both line-ups above.

That said, there is no need for late changes, the Hawks and Demons have already made all their changes at the selection table.

There are some important names missing for Hawthorn, beginning with Nick Watson (out with a hamstring issue). Josh Battle is out of the back line with illness, while Ned Reeves and Karl Amon are also injured and Calsher Dear has been omitted.

The important in is forward Jack Gunston, who is back after missing three games with a foot injury.

Also in are debutants Matt Hill (a rugby league convert from the Northern Territory) and defender Noah Mraz, plus the returning William McCabe and Bodie Ryan.

For Melbourne, there are four omissions: Tom McDonald, Jake Melksham, Paddy Cross and Luker Kentfield.

Into the side come Changkuoth Jiath, Bailey Laurie, Latrelle Pickett and Harrison Petty.

Key Event

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 12:53pm

Sat 4 Jul 2026 at 12:53pm

Welcome to Saturday footy!

By Andrew McGarry

Hello, good afternoon and welcome to ABC's live online coverage of round 17 of the AFL.

We are back to a full slate of games with the end of the bye rounds, so we have four games today.

We start the day in Launceston, for Hawthorn vs Melbourne, as the Hawks look to separate themselves further in third from the rest of the top six and wild card teams.

Soon afterwards, play will get underway at Manuka Oval in Canberra, as GWS tries to put a stop to a recent slide on the ladder with one of the hardest tasks in football, hosting the ladder-leading Fremantle Dockers.

The late afternoon game on the Gold Coast sees the Suns take on Collingwood, with both sides desperate to stay in touch with the wild cards.

And then tonight it's off to the MCG, as Richmond hosts a Carlton side in hot form under interim coach Josh Fraser.

My name is Andrew McGarry, and I will be bringing you today's early action before handing over to my friend and colleague Mick Doyle.

Let's jump in!

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