Thursday Night Footy hosts top of the table blockbuster on Seven and 7plus Sport – Seven’s AFL coverage continues with a major Round 18 clash as first-placed Fremantle hosts the second-placed Sydney Swans.
The potential Grand Final preview will kick off Thursday Night Footy, with the match live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport.
Fremantle enters Round 18 with only two losses for the season. Meanwhile, Sydney remains close behind and will be looking to strengthen its push for a top-two finish.
Fremantle and Sydney headline Thursday Night Footy
The past three matches between Fremantle and Sydney have all gone down to the wire. Each contest was decided by under two goals, including Sydney’s missed shot after the siren in Round 16, 2024.
As a result, Seven expects another major audience for one of the biggest matches of the AFL season.
The match will feature several of the competition’s biggest names. Sydney stars Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and Errol Gulden will line up against Fremantle’s Luke Jackson, Shai Bolton and Caleb Serong.
Seven’s commentary team will also broadcast live from the ground. Rebecca Maddern, Brian Taylor, Alister Nicholson, Kane Cornes, Daisy Pearce and Luke Hodge will lead the coverage from 7.00pm AEST.
Perth coverage starts early
For Perth viewers, 7NEWS Perth will be live from 5.30pm on Seven and 7plus before the match begins at 6.10pm AWST.
However, fans can also watch the pre-game coverage from 5.00pm AWST on 7mate and 7plus Sport.
Head of AFL and Sport Innovation, Gary O’Keeffe, said the Thursday night clash would be one of the best games of the season.
“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.”
He added that Fremantle’s Thursday night matches had already performed strongly for Seven this year.
“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.
“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.”
Ultimate Footy Watchalong returns
The highly anticipated match will also feature the return of The Ultimate Footy Watchalong live stream.
The 7plus Sport stream will run in partnership with the AFL and Dan Does Footy. It will feature Australia’s number one sports content creator alongside big-name guests, including Seven’s Xander McGuire.
The Ultimate Footy Watchalong begins at 8.00pm AEST on 7plus Sport.
Seven says Fremantle’s two previous Thursday Night Footy fixtures in 2026 delivered an average TV audience of 765,000 across Seven and 7plus.
Seven’s Round 18 coverage continues
Seven’s Round 18 AFL coverage continues on Friday night when Collingwood hosts North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.
Then, on Sunday, Seven’s coverage begins with Sunday Footy Feast from 12.00pm AEST. Sunday Afternoon Footy will wrap up the round as Melbourne hosts Richmond at the MCG from 2.30pm AEST.
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.
Broadcast times on Seven
THURSDAY, 9 JULY
AFL Round 18: Fremantle v Sydney Swans
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Sydney, Brisbane: 7.00pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport, then 7.30pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
Melbourne: 7.00pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
Adelaide: 6.30pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport, then 7.00pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
Perth: 5.00pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport, then 6.10pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
FRIDAY, 10 JULY
AFL Round 18: Collingwood v North Melbourne
Sydney, Brisbane: 7.00pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport
Melbourne: 7.00pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
Adelaide: 6.30pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport
Perth: 5.00pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport
SATURDAY, 11 JULY
AFL Round 18: St Kilda v Port Adelaide
Adelaide: 12.30pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
AFL Round 18: GWS GIANTS v Geelong Cats
Sydney: 4.00pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport
AFL Round 18: Adelaide Crows v Gold Coast SUNS
Brisbane: 8.00pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
Adelaide: 7.00pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
SUNDAY, 12 JULY
Sunday Footy Feast
Sydney, Brisbane: 12.00pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport
Melbourne: 12.00pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
Adelaide: 11.30am live on 7mate and 7plus Sport
Perth: 10.00am live on Seven and 7plus Sport
AFL Round 18: Western Bulldogs v West Coast Eagles
Perth: 11.00am live on Seven and 7plus Sport
AFL Round 18: Melbourne v Richmond
Melbourne: 2.30pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
AFL Round 18: Brisbane Lions v Essendon
Brisbane: 4.30pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport
Link to 7plus HERE
TV Central AFL content HERE
