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The AFL's annual Dreamtime match will make its Perth debut when Richmond and Essendon lock horns at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.

The location is different, but the significance of the Long Walk will be as strong as ever as a sold-out Optus Stadium prepares to host Saturday night's Dreamtime clash between Richmond and Essendon.

The annual Dreamtime match had to be switched from the MCG to Perth because of Victoria's recent COVID-19 outbreak.

It means the 18th edition of the Long Walk that was meant to start in Federation Square in Melbourne will now begin at the iconic WACA Ground in Perth.

The Long Walk - via its cultural and education programs - increases awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, peoples and cultures.

It began in 2004, when dual Essendon premiership star Michael Long embarked on a walk from Melbourne to Canberra to meet with then-Prime Minister John Howard in a bid to get the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people back on the national agenda.

Long and former Bombers and Power star Gavin Wanganeen will lead the walk to Optus Stadium on Saturday, with a large contingent of past players, Indigenous organisations, politicians, and fans set to take part.

On the field, Essendon will be aiming to break their 10-game losing streak against Richmond when the teams lock horns on neutral territory.

The first Dreamtime match was in Round 15, 2005, with Richmond winning by 26 points.

Former Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy was the brainchild of the match, and it has grown in significance every year.

The Dreamtime match was played in Darwin last year due to COVID-19, and Long believes it might be good to explore the prospect of sharing the marquee fixture with other states in the future.

"We might put the idea to Gill (AFL chief executive Gill McLachlan) that we do it in every state and recognise all our champions," Long said.

"Because it's not only the work they do on the football field, it's some of the great work they do off the field.

"I think we've learnt a lot here, and the next discussion could happen."

Essendon's Indigenous star Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti looms as a key figure in Saturday's match.

The 28-year-old has booted 27 goals this season, and he played a key role in last week's come-from-behind win against West Coast.

"We love watching him play. He's just enjoying his footy," Bombers coach Ben Rutten said.

"We don't give him too many things to think about. He just plays the game the way it should be played."