3 minute read
The Western Bulldogs and Essendon will open round 21 with a Friday night clash, while Collingwood will play Hawthorn in Tasmania.
Collingwood will play for AFL premiership points in Tasmania for the first time next week after their round-21 clash with Hawthorn was shifted to Launceston.
Tasmania Premier Peter Gutwein announced the Hawks' home match, slated to be played at the MCG, would instead be held at University of Tasmania Stadium.
The match will take place on Sunday, August 8 at 2.10pm local time.
The AFL released its round 21 fixture on Friday night, with the only game yet to have a venue confirmed being the Showdown between Adelaide and Port Adelaide on Saturday night.
The Western Bulldogs and Essendon open the round with a Friday night clash at Marvel Stadium.
Perth will host two matches - West Coast's encounter with Melbourne on Saturday, and Fremantle's match against Brisbane on Sunday.
A total of five matches will be played in Victoria, which this week began the process of easing lockdown restrictions.
The Magpies have never played a regular-season match in the Apple Isle, last setting foot there for a pre-season fixture against the Hawks in 2015.
Tasmania has already hosted several additional matches this year due to coronavirus border closures wreaking havoc with the schedule.
The state is hosting two matches this weekend, North Melbourne against Geelong in Hobart on Saturday and Hawthorn against Brisbane in Launceston on Sunday.
Traditional rivals Essendon and Hawthorn attracted a sell-out crowd of almost 15,000 in Launceston earlier this year, boosting the argument for a stand-alone Tasmanian side.
"Tasmanians have demonstrated ... that when big teams come they will turn up," Mr Gutwein said.
"I think that sent a very strong message to the AFL."
Mr Gutwein said the current 10,000 crowd limit would remain in place for the Collingwood fixture.
"We are fortunate in Tasmania that we can have crowds to that level. Other states are having no crowds, some states aren't even having games."
Mr Gutwein said an AFL review of the business case for a Tasmanian side will be with the league shortly and he expects to hold discussions with CEO Gillon McLachlan next week.
"We have had discussions with North Melbourne and Hawthorn about roll-over contracts," he said.
"I'd rather a report come down that provides clarity about whether or not we can have a team.
"If it's positive, and I'm hopeful it will be, then what we would look to do is put in short term contracts with those two teams."
AFL ROUND 21 FIXTURE (all times AEST)
FRIDAY
Western Bulldogs vs Essendon at Marvel Stadium, 7:50pm
SATURDAY
Richmond vs North Melbourne at MCG,TBC
Geelong vs GWS at GMHBA Stadium, TBC
Carlton vs Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium, TBC
West Coast vs Melbourne at Optus Stadium, 7:40pm
Adelaide Crows vs Port Adelaide at TBC, 7:40pm
SUNDAY
Hawthorn vs Collingwood at UTAS Stadium, 2.10pm
St Kilda vs Sydney at Marvel Stadium, 3.20pm
Fremantle vs Brisbane Lions at Optus Stadium, 5.10pm.
