Live: Dockers and Swans battle for top spot in AFL blockbuster

It's first vs second to start AFL round 18, as Fremantle hosts the Swans in Perth with the Dockers looking to bounce back after the end of their long winning streak.

Meanwhile, the resurgent Brisbane Lions have sent an ominous warning to the rest of the league after they named several guns to return this weekend in the Thursday night team announcements.

Follow all the action in our live blog.

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Dockers vs Swans

Thu 9 Jul 2026 at 7:18pm

Starting time question

Isn’t this a bit of a strange time for a game Kyle for Perth fansor is it just aimed at the east coast ?

- Phillip

Thanks for joining us Phillip, and for anyone not in the know, we're talking a 6:10pm bounce in Perth (that's 8:10pm on the east coast).

Fair to say it is early to start a game in Western Australia, but any later and you're not getting those crucial Victorian eyeballs.

We're right in the middle of school holidays, so the AFL will be gambling that Victorians are staying up a bit later, while West Australians aren't rushing the kids away from school to get to Perth Stadium.

Thu 9 Jul 2026 at 7:13pm

No late changes

By Kyle Pollard

We're going with the selected 23 for both the Swans and Dockers tonight, no late changes for either team.

Key Event

Thu 9 Jul 2026 at 7:04pm

Thursday night team news

By Kyle Pollard

It is of course Thursday night, which means all other teams have put out their squads for the weekend.

Here's the key takeaways:

Scott Pendlebury is back for Collingwood's clash against North, while the Kangaroos have again lost crucial midfielder George Wardlaw to injury.

Lachie Whitfield is a big loss to concussion for the Giants in their crucial game against Geelong, but young gun Phoenix Gothard is back. Rookie ruck Mitch Edwards has made way for Jack Bowes as the Cats look to stem their poor run of results.

The Hawks have two big names back for their game against the Blues, with Karl Amon and Jarman Impey coming into the team.

The Crows will be boosted by the returns of Riley Thilthorpe and Wayne Milera in their massive clash against the Suns.

The Bulldogs have made at least FIVE changes to their team for their Sunday clash against the Eagles, with Nick Coffield (concussion), Connor Budarick (ankle), Will Lewis (omitted), Lachie McNeil (omitted) and Riley Sanders (hand) all confirmed out.

And don't look now, but the resurgent Lions have recalled Dayne Zorko, Hugh McCluggage and Keidean Coleman into their 23 in an ominous sign for the rest of the competition.

Key Event

Thu 9 Jul 2026 at 6:54pm

Fremantle vs Sydney selected teams

By Kyle Pollard

First off let's check out the selected teams for tonight's clash:

A couple of big outs for the Dockers with Hayden Young injured and Sean Darcy being managed. Veteran midfielder Jaeger O'Meara comes back into the team and Mason Cox is the like-for-like for Darcy.

For the Swans, it's a big in with Tom Papley slotting back into that dangerous forward, with Corey Warner heading back to the reserves for the weekend.

Key Event

Thu 9 Jul 2026 at 6:49pm

Welcome to Perth Stadium

By Kyle Pollard

Good evening footy fans and what a treat we have for you today, as the top-spot Dockers take on the Swans, who are just one win behind them on the ladder.

It's a delightful 19C with a chance of light rain later in the night, but it's looking otherwise perfect for a good ol' fashioned AFL blockbuster.

Let's get into it.

View original source — ABC News ↗

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