AFL Round 16 full fixture: MCG double header as Covid chaos keeps the AFL scrambling

Tasmania said no but the MCG said yes and will host two games on Saturday as Covid chaos keeps the AFL scrambling.

An MCG double-header will be the latest instalment in the Covid-impacted AFL season.

Fremantle will play a “home” game against Carlton at the MCG on Saturday night, hours after Melbourne take on GWS at the same ground.

The AFL was blocked from moving the game to Tasmania by the state government, which was the Dockers’ hope.

“Personally, I like the potential to go down to Tasmania. We’re playing there the following weekend (against Hawthorn), it might sound silly but it’s something that sits uncomfortably with me is the Blues getting out of their beds and driving to the MCG or Marvel when it’s our home game,” Dockers CEO Simon Garlick said on Wednesday.

Round 16 fixture update |

The MCG will now how Saturday night's clash between Fremantle and Carlton.

Ticketing information will be communicated in due course.

More details: https://t.co/mb4yEzY38apic.twitter.com/Ya7rLRzfBl

— Melbourne Cricket Ground (@MCG) July 1, 2021

Carlton has played seven times at the MCG this year and 16 times in the past three seasons, while Fremantle has played there only three times since the start of 2019.

Eight of this week’s nine AFL matches will be spread around the MCG, Marvel Stadium and GMHBA Stadium in Geelong.

Adelaide remains hopeful it’s Saturday clash with the Brisbane Lions can still be played at the Adelaide Oval, despite the Crows flying to Melbourne to hub there as a precaution.

AFL Round 16 Fixture

Thursday, July 1

Richmond v Gold Coast, Marvel Stadium, 7.20pm

Friday, July 2

Geelong v Essendon at GMHBA Stadium, 7.50pm S

Saturday, July 3

Melbourne v GWS Giants at the MCG, 1.45pm

Adelaide v Brisbane at Adelaide Oval, 4.05pm TBC

Hawthorn v Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium, 7.40pm

Fremantle v Carlton at MCG, , 7.40pm

Sunday, July 4

Sydney v West Coast at GMHBA Stadium, 1.10pm

Collingwood v St Kilda at the MCG, 3.20pm

Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium, 4.40pm

Originally published as AFL Round 16 full fixture: MCG double header as Covid chaos keeps the AFL scrambling