AFL - Episode Guide

The reigning premiers have battled injury and illness in 2016 and won't want take the embattled Bombers lightly who have surprised some teams this year.

The Cats and Kangaroos are right in the mix for the 2016 flag, making this a fierce finals-like contest. Brian Taylor leads the call.

The Tigers have won the only other meeting against the Suns at the MCG and will need to do it again to keep their faint finals hopes alive.

The local Sydney Battle of the Bridge has never been such a high stakes affair, as both clubs face off for local bragging rights and top four claims.

It's the biggest Queen's Birthday Monday clash in over 10 years with both teams knocking on the door of the eight.

Major challengers North Melbourne take on reigning premier Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium in what shapes as a preview to the 2016 finals.

Two of the 2016 flag contenders face off at Etihad Stadium with the Bulldogs aiming to topple the Cats for the first time in seven years. Brian Taylor leads the call.

With the Swans fancied as a premiership contender and the Demons on the up in 2016, this match shapes as a fierce contest at the SCG.

The gallant Bombers host the fast-paced Giants at Etihad Stadium in an important match for the visitors if they are to maintain their claims on a coveted top four spot.

Thursday Night Football is back for 2016 with a high class line-up as the electrifying Crows host top-four aspirant North Melbourne at the Adelaide Oval.

The resurgent Magpies host the embattled Dockers at the MCG as Collingwood clings to their 2016 finals hopes. Bruce McAvaney and Dennis Cometti lead the call.

The finals-bound Giants host a reinvigorated Blues outfit at Spotless Stadium as they aim for a coveted top four finish in the home and away season and the double chance.

With the Saints on the up, and the Cats stumbling after a lightning start to the year, this encounter could go down to the wire again after last year's epic draw.

With Port harbouring finals ambitions, and the Hawks shooting for a coveted top four spot, it's a high stakes game at the Adelaide Oval.

Two premiership contenders take to the big stage on Thursday Night Football as the Hawks aim to turn the tables on the Swans after their narrow loss to them in Round 9.

The Bulldogs are aiming to break a run of nine losses to the Cats in this high stakes encounter at Simonds Stadium as both clubs aim for a top four finish in the run up to the finals.

As the Giants head towards their first ever finals appearance, they host the Tigers at Startrack Oval in Canberra with a win here keeping them in touch with a top four chance.

The Kangaroos have won the last five clashes against the Saints and need this win to stay in touch with the rest of the top eight finals contenders. Can the Saints cause an upset?

Memories from intense battles against the Swans at Domain Stadium will be front of mind for the Dockers as they aim to write another chapter in this compelling modern-day rivalry.

After a sluggish start to 2017, Collingwood will be looking to repeat their impressive win against Geelong in Round 9 last year, while the Cats will want to capitalise on their good start to the year.

St Kilda and GWS are two young, quick and skilled teams who promise to deliver an electrifying contest on Friday Night Football. Bruce McAvaney and Brian Taylor lead the call.

In Round 16 last year, the Dogs made a thrilling comeback against the Tigers, taking out a win which placed them back in the top four. Can the Tigers turn the tables and deliver a four quarter effort?

Sydney set themselves up for finals in a tight nine-point win over the Kangaroos. Can John Longmire's charges reverse their sluggish start to 2017 with a win over the Kangaroos?

In their quest for September action the Demons desperately need to break a 15-game losing streak to the competitive Kangaroos who have had a tough 2017 season to date.

With both teams eyeing off a coveted top four spot, Geelong will be aiming to continue its impressive form over the Power that has seen them triumph in 12 of the past 13 matches.

The rivalry that has seen them play in four finals in the last six seasons, now has them scrapping at the other end of the ladder as both clubs look to salvage the season.

Hawthorn's win over Port in Round 16 last year cemented their spot at the top of the ladder. Now that the table has flipped, the Power will be confident they can deliver a taste of revenge.

Geelong host their third consecutive match at Simonds Stadium in their clash against the Crows. The game promises to be a thriller after Geelong broke the Crows' run of eight wins last year.

It's a critical game for the Giants to win as they aim to stay in contention for a top four finish in what is shaping as the most even competition in years.

Fans of the Kangaroos and the Tigers have plenty to be excited about as both desperately aim to take the points here and stay in the fight for the top eight.

The Dogs and the Swans meet for a second time after the reigning premiers defended their title in Round 2. The Swans will be eager to redeem themselves tonight on their home turf.

Tonight the Crows are celebrating 20 years since their 1997 premiership win against St Kilda. The resurgent Saints will be hoping to spoil the party and break their run of six losses to the Crow

The Giants propelled themselves back into the top four after their tremendous win over Carlton last year. Will the emerging Blues hit back after a rocky season start

Thursday Night Football heads west to the Eagles' home ground as both teams aim to start cementing their top eight positions.

St Kilda has not had much luck against North Melbourne recently, but the Saints will be hoping their solid start to the season can help them break their six-match losing streak to the Kangaroos.

The Tigers and Swans have had changing fortunes this year. It's a high stakes affair as both battle to stay in touch with the eight.

With the Blues emerging and the Suns desperate to try and stay in touch with the pack, this clash could go down to the wire at Metricon Stadium.

Bounce time: 7.40pm AEST. The AFL season restarts with a blockbuster clash between two of the game's fiercest rivals, with the Magpies and Tigers both shaping as genuine premiership contenders in 2020.

Bounce time: 7.50pm AEST. The modern era's biggest rivalry will take to a new stage, with the Cats set to welcome the Hawks to their GMHBA Stadium stronghold for the first time in more than a decade.

The Lions have been stewing on their disappointing round one loss to Hawthorn for two months, so the Dockers can expect a torrid encounter when they venture to the Gabba. Bounce time: 1.45pm AEST

The Showdown is always a no-holds-barred affair and this clash promises to have extra spice, with the Power and Crows both desperate to get their seasons off to fast starts. Bounce time: 7.40pm AEDT

The Suns are targeting their first win of 2020 and will be hoping playing at their Metricon Stadium home gives them an edge over an Eagles team that has premiership designs. Bounce time: 7.40pm AEST

The Swans and Bombers have staged some memorable battles at the SCG in recent seasons and this match should be no different as both teams look to create some early momentum. Bounce time: 3.35pm AEST

Bounce time: 7.40pm AEST. Fireworks are guaranteed whenever Damien Hardwick's Tigers clash with Alastair Clarkson's Hawks, and there is plenty at stake for both teams in this blockbuster at the MCG.

Bounce time: 7.50pm AEST. The Bulldogs host the Giants at Marvel Stadium in a clash that should be a highly entertaining affair between two of the competition's most talented and attacking teams.