Essendon and Carlton renew their long-running rivalry at MCG on Thursday night, but the contest looks lopsided on paper.
The Bombers limp into Round 24 off the back of another loss, with Jayden Laverde in doubt after a hip issue and their depth again stretched. They’ve managed just one win from their last six and have struggled to produce four-quarter efforts, leaving them as clear outsiders against a side firmly entrenched in finals contention.
Carlton, by contrast, have their eyes fixed on September. Michael Voss’s team is tipped as heavy favourite, with Mitch McGovern pushing for a recall while Cooper Lord will sit out under concussion protocols. The Blues’ midfield has been in commanding form and their forward line continues to function with efficiency, making them well placed to cover the 27.5-point line.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times, and the latest lineup news.
Essendon vs. Carlton free live stream, free-to-air channel
- Live Stream: Kayo, Foxtel
- TV Channel: Fox Footy
- Free-to-air: --
Kayo and Foxtel are providing both live and catch-up coverage of the match. The clash will also be available to watch on Fox Footy.
Fans can stream Essendon vs. Carlton on Kayo, which is currently offering a free trial for new subscribers so you can essentially watch this game and others this week for free. The match will also be streamed on the AFL website.
Essendon vs. Carlton start time
- Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025
- Start Time: 7:30 p.m. AEST
- Venue & Location: MCG, Melbourne
The AFL Round 24 game between Essendon and Carlton will be played on Thursday, August 21, at 7:30 p.m. AEST.
It will be played at the MCG in Melbourne, Victoria.
Here's how that kick-off time translates to the various Australian time zones:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Australian Eastern Standard Time | Thursday, August 21 | 7:30 p.m. |
| Australian Central Standard Time | Thursday, August 21 | 7:00 p.m. |
| Australian Western Standard Time | Thursday, August 21 | 5:30 p.m. |
AFL 2025 fixture schedule this week
Thursday, August 21
| Fixture | Venue | Time (AEST) | TV/Livestream |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essendon vs. Carlton | MCG | 7:30 p.m. | Fox Footy, Fox/Kayo |
Friday, August 22
| Fixture | Venue | Time (AEST) | TV/Livestream |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collingwood vs. Melbourne | MCG | 7:10 p.m. | Fox Footy, Fox/Kayo |
| Port Adelaide vs. Gold Coast | Adelaide Oval | 8:10 p.m. | Fox Footy, Fox/Kayo |
Saturday, August 23
| Fixture | Venue | Time (AEST) | TV/Stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Melbourne vs. Adelaide Crows | Marvel Stadium | 1:20 p.m. | Fox Footy, Fox/Kayo |
| Richmond vs. Geelong Cats | MCG | 4:15 p.m. | Fox Footy, Fox/Kayo |
| West Coast vs. Sydney | Optus Stadium | 7:35 p.m. | Fox Footy, Fox/Kayo |
Sunday, August 24
| Fixture | Venue | Time (AEST) | TV/Stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| GWS Giants vs. St. Kilda | ENGIE Stadium | 12:20 p.m. | Fox Footy, Fox/Kayo |
| Western Bulldogs vs. Fremantle | Marvel Stadium | 3:15 p.m. | Fox Footy, Fox/Kayo |
| Brisbane vs. Hawthorn | Gabba | 7:20 p.m. | Fox Footy, Fox/Kayo |