Thursday Night Footy hosts top of the table blockbuster
Fremantle v Sydney Swans kicks off Round 18 on Seven and 7plus Sport
A potential Grand Final preview will see the two in-form teams of the AFL competition meet in a nail-biting Thursday Night Footy match-up, as the first placed Fremantle hosts the second placed Sydney Swans tomorrow night from 7.00pm AEST, live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport.
In one of the most anticipated games of the year, Fremantle head into Round 18 with only two matches lost, with the Swans hot on their tails and hoping to also secure a top two finish and a home final.
The past three matches between the two teams have come down to the wire, all decided by under two goals including a shot after the siren miss by the Swans in Round 16, 2024.
There is no shortage of star power across the two teams, with stars of the competition set to light up prime-time footy in Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and Errol Gulden from the Swans, and the likes of Luke Jackson, Shai Bolton and Caleb Serong from Fremantle.
Seven’s commentary team led by Rebecca Maddern, Brian Taylor, Alister Nicholson, Kane Cornes, Daisy Pearce and Luke Hodge will broadcast live from the ground from 7.00pm AEST on Seven and 7plus Sport, with the main match coverage broadcast on Seven and 7plus nationally.
For Perth viewers, 7NEWS Perth will be live from 5.30pm on Seven and 7plus before the footy commences at 6.10pm AWST. Viewers can catch all the pre-game action from 5.00pm AWST on 7mate and 7plus Sport.
Head of AFL and Sport Innovation, Gary O’Keeffe said: “With the two most in-form sides of the competition live and free in prime time, this is set to be one of the best games of the season.”
Fremantle’s two Thursday Night Footy matches this season have been two of our highest rating games of the year, so we are thrilled this match has landed on a Thursday night,” he said.
“Let’s hope it’s another cracking match and Wharfie Time lights up Optus Stadium as it did when they hosted Hawthorn at the start of the season.”
In a win for fans, the highly anticipated match will also see the return of The Ultimate Footy Watchalong live stream. In partnership with the AFL and Dan Does Footy and following its introduction in 2025, Australia’s number one sports content creator will be joined by big name guests, including Seven’s Xander McGuire, providing fans a unique way to watch the game on 7plus Sport from 8.00pm AEST.
Fremantle’s two previous Thursday Night Footy fixtures in 2026 have delivered an average TV audience of 765,000 across Seven and 7plus, with another huge audience expected for a clash between two heavyweights of the competition in prime time.
Seven’s Round 18 AFL coverage will continue the following night with Friday Night Footy, as Collingwood hosts North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium from 7.00pm AEST live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport.
Seven’s Sunday AFL coverage will commence with Sunday Footy Feast from 12.00pm AEST on Seven, 7mate and 7plus Sport, while Sunday Afternoon Footy will wrap up the round as Melbourne hosts Richmond live from the MCG from 2.30pm AEST on Seven and 7plus Sport.
Fans in NSW, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia can watch every game involving teams from their home states live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport.
