One of the tightest AFL finals races in recent memory will come to a thrilling conclusion on Seven this weekend, starting with Friday night’s crucial clash between St Kilda and the GWS Giants LIVE and FREE from the Gabba.
The Saints are bidding to return to the finals for the first time since Ross Lyon’s last season as coach in 2011, but last round’s loss to West Coast saw them slip to seventh on the ladder and needing a win on Friday night to be sure of a top-eight finish.
With the 10th-placed Giants’ finals hopes still alive too, the scene is set for a titanic battle at the Gabba, with Seven’s coverage starting at 7.00pm AEST on Channel 7 and 7mate.
And that’s just the start of an epic ‘long weekend’ on Seven where fans will enjoy four crunch games in four days – all of which will have significant ramifications on the premiership race.
On Saturday night, the Brisbane Lions have the chance to – at least temporarily – knock Port Adelaide off top spot, but they’ll first have to get over the line against David Teague’s unpredictable but dangerous Carlton side.
The following day at Metricon Stadium, Geelong will be hell-bent on booking its place in the top four, but to do so the Cats need to beat a rapidly emerging Sydney Swans team that has the talent and form to cause a shock upset.
Then in a Monday night blockbuster the Power will be out to secure their first minor premiership since 2004 when they take on Collingwood at the Gabba. But the stakes are also high for the Magpies – finally nearing full strength ahead of the finals – with sixth spot and a ‘home’ elimination final likely to be on the line.
But, first, The Front Bar will get Round 18 off to a more light-hearted start on Thursday at 8.30pm AEST, when West Coast great and former Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna joins Andy Maher, Mick Molloy and Sam Pang on Channel 7 and 7plus.
Managing Director Seven Melbourne and Head of Network Sport Lewis Martin commented:
“It’s hard to remember a more compelling and unpredictable season than 2020, so it’s fitting the finals race will go down to the wire. In Round 18, top spot is on the line, top-four spots are up for grabs and at the bottom of the eight we’ve got four teams trying to squeeze into the final two positions. It makes for a thrilling finish to the home and away rounds, and fans can catch all the season-defining action LIVE and FREE on Seven.”
As always, viewers in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia will be able to watch every game involving their local AFL teams on Seven.
And post-match on Friday night, Adam Cooney and Cam Luke will settle in on the Armchair Experts sofa, offering viewers their unique take on the big match.
AFL fans can also keep across all the action on the @7AFL social pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
TV Broadcast times:
AFL – Season 2020
ROUND 18
Thursday September 17
North Melbourne v West Coast, Metricon Stadium
Perth 5.00pm LIVE on 7mate
The Front Bar
Sydney 10.45pm on Channel 7 and 7plus
Melbourne 8.30pm on Channel 7 and 7plus
Brisbane 10.45pm on Channel 7 and 7plus
Adelaide 8.30pm on Channel 7 and 7plus
Perth 8.30pm on Channel 7 and 7plus
Friday September 18
St Kilda v GWS Giants, Gabba
Sydney 7.00pm LIVE on 7mate
Melbourne 7.00pm LIVE on 7mate, 7.30pm LIVE on Channel 7
Brisbane 7.00pm LIVE on 7mate
Adelaide 6.30pm LIVE on 7mate, 7.00pm LIVE on Channel 7
Perth 5.00pm LIVE on 7mate
Armchair Experts
Sydney 11.00pm on 7mate and 7plus
Melbourne 11.00pm on Channel 7 and 7plus
Brisbane 11.00pm on 7mate and 7plus
Adelaide 10.30pm on Channel 7 and 7plus
Perth 11.00pm on 7mate and 7plus
Saturday September 19
Adelaide Crows v Richmond, Adelaide Oval
Adelaide 4.30pm LIVE on Channel 7
Brisbane Lions v Carlton, Gabba
Sydney 7.00pm LIVE on 7mate
Melbourne 7.00pm LIVE on Channel 7
Brisbane 7.00pm LIVE on Channel 7
Adelaide 7.00pm LIVE on Channel 7
Perth 5.00pm LIVE on 7mate
Sunday September 20
Hawthorn v Gold Coast Suns, Adelaide Oval
Brisbane 1.00pm LIVE on 7mate
Sydney Swans v Geelong Cats, Metricon Stadium
Sydney 3.00pm on 7mate
Melbourne 3.00pm on Channel 7
Brisbane 3.30pm on 7mate
Fremantle v Western Bulldogs, Cazaly’s Stadium
Perth 4.00pm LIVE on 7mate
Monday September 21
Collingwood v Port Adelaide, Gabba
Sydney 7.00pm LIVE on 7mate
Melbourne 7.00pm LIVE Channel 7
Brisbane 7.00pm LIVE on 7mate
Adelaide 6.30pm LIVE on Channel 7
Perth 5.00pm LIVE on 7mate
