Williamstown's Nick Ebinger celebrates a goal in round five, 2021. Picture: AFL Photos

WE’RE BACK! 

VFL football has been given the green light to resume after the latest lockdown – and it simply could not be more exciting with a mouthwatering clash between premiership contenders Casey Demons and Footscray as the centrepiece of a huge Round 16. 

Twenty of the competition’s 22 clubs will be in action this weekend with players and officials jumping out of their skins to get back into it. 

The VFLW is also back, with the much-anticipated preliminary final between Geelong and Essendon set for 12pm Saturday at Windy Hill.

A STRAIGHT EIGHT How goalkicking accuracy is shaping the finals

While the stands will sadly be empty, fans will not miss a minute of the action via Kayo Freebies, community radio and the VFL’s YouTube channel. 

The Demons, who sit third with a 7-1 record will host the undefeated Bulldogs (9-0) at Casey Fields from 1.05pm on Saturday in a clash that is sure to have VFL fans on the edge of their seats. 

The match was first postponed when Round 7 was wiped out by the competition’s first lockdown and were also set to meet last weekend in Round 15. 

The Demons lost their last home game, by a point to GWS, but bounced back with a powerful statement against Werribee in Round 13, while the Bulldogs were forced to fight past North Melbourne and Sydney in their most recent two games. 

Footscray's Robbie McComb will be in action at The Hangar today. Picture: AFL Photos

In other crunch contests, Collingwood's and Box Hill's bids for a top-four berth go on the line when they clash at the Holden Centre on Saturday, and top-eight contenders Frankston and Richmond will face off at Skybus Stadium at 2pm on Sunday. 

Of the other finals contenders, ladder leader Southport will take on Gold Coast in the season’s third Coast Clash, Sandringham (11th) puts its season on the line against Carlton at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Oval while Werribee returns to the scene of its record-breaking win to face the resurgent Northern Bullants at Preston City Oval, all on Saturday, while Williamstown will take Coburg at Piranha Park on Sunday. 

North Melbourne hosts Port Melbourne, Aspley is at home to Essendon and Brisbane faces Sydney in the other three matches, while GWS and Geelong have the bye. 

No crowds will be permitted at any of the matches in the Victoria, with broadcast details still to be finalised. 

The remainder of the competition is still to be determined and will be a week-to-week proposition pending government restrictions around the country. 

ROUND 16 

SATURDAY, JULY 31 
Gold Coast v Southport (Metricon Stadium Training Oval) 10.30am 
Sandringham v Carlton (Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Oval) 12pm 
North Melbourne v Port Melbourne (Arden St) 12pm 
Collingwood v Box Hill Hawks (Holden Centre) 12.05pm 
Aspley v Essendon (Graham Road) 12.30pm 
Casey Demons v Footscray (Casey Fields) 1.05pm 
Brisbane Lions v Sydney (South Pine Sports Complex) 1.30pm 
Northern Bullants v Werribee (Preston City Oval) 2pm 

SUNDAY, AUGUST 1 
Coburg v Williamstown (Piranha Park) 2pm 
Frankston v Richmond (Skybus Stadium) 2.05pm 

BYE 
Geelong, GWS 

VFL MATCHES COMPLETED 
11 – GWS 
10 – Aspley, Brisbane Lions, Essendon, Frankston, Gold Coast, Southport, Sydney 
9 – Box Hill Hawks, Coburg, Footscray, Geelong, North Melbourne, Northern Bullants, Richmond,  
8 – Carlton, Casey Demons, Collingwood, Port Melbourne, Sandringham, Werribee, Williamstown  

Twitter: @BRhodesVFL 

Keep track of your VFL team via our all new VFL Match Centre, which features live scores, team and player stats, match timeline, events summary and even Fantasy points. Check it out here. 

This weekend let’s Band Together with TAC. We all have someone to drive safely for.