Preseason scratch match: Richmond vs Essendon

[one-eyed]

Essendon v Richmond – unofficial scratch match
Date, time, venue TBC

A date and venue for the Richmond fixture will be confirmed in the coming weeks, serving as an unofficial scratch match organised by the two clubs in the build-up.

https://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/1940188/bombers-practice-match-opponents-confirmed

[one-eyed]

Unofficial match simulations*

Thursday, February 19
Western Bulldogs v Sydney, Mission Whitten Oval, time TBC

Friday February 20
Melbourne v North Melbourne, Casey Fields, time TBC, seven periods of play

Details TBC
Essendon v Richmond
Fremantle v West Coast

* more to be announced

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1459833/blues-and-cats-open-2026-aami-community-series-vic-giants-head-to-ballarat

[one-eyed]

@Richmond_FC to play match sim v Essendon at The Hangar on Feb 20.

https://x.com/i/status/2013080826645238161

[one-eyed]

Richmond and Essendon will meet on Friday, February 20, in a Match Simulation as both teams continue to prepare for the 2026 season.

The clash will begin at 10:30am (AEDT) at the NEC Hangar in Tullamarine, and due to capacity limits, fans who wish to attend must register here. Live stream details of the match will be provided closer to the game.

A VFL Match Simulation between the two teams will follow the AFL game.

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1945567/tigers-to-meet-bombers-in-match-simulation

[mightytiges]

Great scheduling! The majority of us who work won't be able to watch it .

[WilliamPowell]

Great scheduling! The majority of us who work won't be able to watch it .

Same happened last year in the game against Melbourne. The one that had 7 or was it 8 periods. IIRC it was on at 11.30 or midday

And last year these match simulation games were streamed on Kayo

[one-eyed]

Friday February 20
Essendon v Richmond, NEC Hangar at 10.30am
 (4 x 30-minute quarters, no time-on)

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-preseason-fixture-2026-full-aami-community-series-schedule-practice-match-simulations-matchups-start-times-and-dates-venues/news-story/088cf30e560a4946e44bda805a24632a

[one-eyed]

18-club state of play for AFL match sims

Jack Jovanovski and Ben Waterworth
Fox Sports
February 15th, 2026

Here’s your guide to every club heading into the match sims.

RICHMOND

AFL Origin squad members: Nathan Broad (WA)

Match simulation details (live on Fox Footy ch. 505): Play Essendon on Friday February 20 at 10.30am (AEDT), NEC Hangar — Tullamarine (4 x 30-minute quarters, no time-on)

In doubt/won’t play: Dion Prestia (hamstring), Sam Lalor (loading), Nick Vlastuin (ankle), Sam Banks (foot stress), Tom Sims (foot), Judson Clarke (knee), Josh Smillie (quad)

What to look out for:
The Tigers faithful will have their eyes firmly fixed on the youngsters, including the heralded 2024 crop and last year’s two top-10 picks. Sam Grlj and Sam Cumming are each pushing for early-season debuts, and an injury setback for Dion Prestia might open the door for one or both to make an instant impact.

Grlj will settle across half-back as an exciting line-breaker, while Cumming has impressed as a midfielder in match simulation.

The likes of Jonty Faull, Taj Hotton, Harry Armstrong and Luke Trainor will be key names to watch.

Meanwhile, trade recruit Pat Retschko is thought to have made a solid impact on a wing, and how he fares against AFL bodies will be crucial for a chance at a Round 1 debut.

There are also names on the fringe who could earn a Round 1 nod with strong outings in pre-season play - such as small forward Maurice Rioli, big-bodied midfielder Kane McAuliffe and key defender Campbell Gray, among others.

Eyes will also be on former top-10 pick Josh Gibcus, who’s had an uninterrupted pre-season and is setting himself up for a breakout campaign after persistent injuries.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2026-preseason-state-of-play-match-simulations-full-guide-and-how-to-watch-tv-and-stream-details-practice-match-fixture-role-changes-and-players-to-watch/news-story/046435b27c0c9f8ca2e92d1d78d74336

[pmac21]

Originally advice was to register for attending this.  I did this and all I got was a subscription to the EFC website?  Did everyone else get the same? 
Can you just turn up, has anyone been there, is there much seating?

[mightytiges]

Originally advice was to register for attending this.  I did this and all I got was a subscription to the EFC website?  Did everyone else get the same? 
Can you just turn up, has anyone been there, is there much seating?

I went there once a few years ago and there was hardly any seating, pmac.

https://www.google.com/maps/@-37.6898303,144.8712217,3a,26.7y,237.61h,78.46t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s8V5NnLWO2FH8pQASMHGhZA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D11.539104554305155%26panoid%3D8V5NnLWO2FH8pQASMHGhZA%26yaw%3D237.6107167161662!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIxMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D