The AFL's inaugural Gather Round is here.
Essendon will be put to the test against the competition's benchmark Melbourne on Saturday afternoon at Adelaide Oval.
Both sides coming into the clash having lost one match in 2023.
The Bombers have been impressive under new coach Brad Scott and will be expected to challenge the 2021 premiers.
However, aside from the round two game against Brisbane, the Demons have been faultless.
They smashed fellow contenders Sydney and Western Bulldogs while taking care of the Eagles in Perth.
MORE: Everything you need to know about the AFL's Gather Round
The first bounce of the game between Brisbane and North Melbourne will be at 4:10 pm AEST, at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide.
Gather Round - What time is the AFL tonight? Essendon vs Melbourne start time
Saturday afternoon's game between Brisbane and North Melbourne will begin at 4:10 pm AEST.
The game will be held at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide.
| City | Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane | Adelaide | Perth |
| Time | 4:10 pm | 4:10 pm | 4:10 pm | 3:40 pm | 2:10 pm |
How to watch or livestream Essendon vs Melbourne
Fox Footy will broadcast Saturday afternoon's game.
Coverage on Fox Footy will start from 4:00 pm AEST, with first bounce scheduled for 4:10 pm AEST.
Kayo Sports will stream the game live.
| TV Channel | Fox Footy |
| Live stream | Kayo Sports |
Essendon vs Melbourne odds
Melbourne are favoured to win this game, paying $1.30 to Essendon's $3.50 to win per BlueBet.
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Essendon vs Melbourne round 5 team lists
Essendon starting 22
| Full Back | Mason Redman | Brandon Zerk-Thatcher | Jordan Ridley |
| Half Back | Jake Kelly | Jayden Laverde | Andrew McGrath |
| Centre | Dyson Heppell | Zach Merrett | Sam Durham |
| Half Forward | Jye Menzie | Harrison Jones | Darcy Parish |
| Full Forward | Archie Perkins | Jake Stringer | Nic Martin |
| Followers | Sam Draper | Jye Caldwell | Dylan Shiel |
| Interchange | Kyle Langford | Will Snelling | Will Setterfield |
| Andrew Phillips |
INS: Will Snelling
OUTS: Alwyn Daver Jnr (Managed), Sam Weideman (Injured)
Melbourne starting 22
| Full Back | Adam Tomlinson | Steven May | Judd McVee |
| Half Back | Jake Bowey | Tom McDonald | Harrison Petty |
| Centre | Angus Brayshaw | Clayton Oliver | Lachie Hunter |
| Half Forward | Kade Chandler | Bayley Fritsch | Alex Neal-Bullen |
| Full Forward | Charlie Spargo | Ben Brown | Kysaiah Pickett |
| Followers | Brodie Grundy | Jack Viney | Christian Petracca |
| Interchange | Trent Rivers | Tom Sparrow | Ed Langdon |
| Jacob van Rooyen |
INS: Adam Tomlinson, Ben Brown
OUTS: Jake Lever (Injured), James Jordon (Sub), Michael Hibberd (Managed)
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