For the first time in over a decade, the AFL season gets underway outside Victoria, with Sydney hosting Melbourne in the first match of Opening Round. Live from 7:30pm AEDT!
The Swans (8th last year, 12-10-1, 110%) have the Demons to thank for two-thirds of their new-look midfield with ruckman Brodie Grundy and young midfielder James Jordon running out against their old side for the first time.
The Demons (4th last year, 16-7, 125.2%) dealt with a rollercoaster off-season including a drug ban for Joel Smith plus Clayton Oliver’s much-publicised health issues, with the superstar midfielder returning just in time for tonight’s match.
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MATCH CENTRE: Sydney Swans vs Melbourne Demons live score, stats and more
QUARTER-BY-QUARTER MATCH REPORT
The Demons owned territory to start the game as the ball stayed in their forward half.
Teammates turned enemies Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy were both busy early around the ground in an exciting matchup.
Oliver Florent kicked the first goal of 2024 with an epic long bomb banana goal to ignite the SCG, but Jack Viney responded with Melbourne’s first from a deep stoppage.
“It’s already an issue, the contested possession — +11 so early in this game,” Channel 7’s Matthew Richardson noted of the Demons’ midfield dominance, led by Viney and Clayton Oliver.
Opening Round sees four matches being played in New South Wales and Queensland across the weekend of March 7-9, before next week’s Round 1 which begins with the traditional Richmond vs Carlton opener over the weekend of March 16-19.
The teams playing in Opening Round will have bye weeks between Rounds 2-6.
Sydney vs Melbourne gets underway at 7:30pm AEDT from the SCG.
Watch live coverage on Fox Footy and streaming on Kayo from 6:30pm AEDT.
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