Essendon will face Richmond in the 18th annual Dreamtime at the 'G blockbuster at the MCG on Saturday night.
The match will be preceded by The Long Walk, which will start at Federation Square.
Here's everything you need to know for a massive match day.
SIR DOUG NICHOLLS ROUND
Richmond v Essendon
7:30pm AEST, Saturday May 21
MCG
THE LONG WALK
The Long Walk, now in its 18th year, is excited to return to Federation Square for the first time since 2019, with a full showcase of Indigenous Australian artists, cultural performances and a host of activations throughout the afternoon.
The celebration will culminate in the iconic The Long Walk to the 'G, with Michael Long leading thousands along Birrarung Marr to the MCG before the iconic Dreamtime at the 'G clash, symbolising Long's walk to Canberra in 2004 to put the issues faced by Indigenous Australians back on the national agenda.
Key timings for the afternoon are:
- 12:30pm: Event begins
- 12:50: Mount Lilydale Mercy College Choir
- 1:20: Chasing Ghosts
- 1:55: Past legendary Indigenous AFL players Q&A
- 2:20: Marlon Motlop X Rulla
- 2:55: The Merindas
- 3:40: Scott Darlow
- 4:25: Indigenous Outreach Projects
- 5:05: Welcome to Country from Chenile Chandler and Aunty Joy Murphy
- 5:20: Final address with speakers including Michael Long, Xavier Campbell and Leanne Brooke
- 5:40: The Long Walk to the 'G departs from River Walk
DREAMTIME AT THE 'G
Like The Long Walk, Dreamtime at the 'G returns to Melbourne for the first time since 2019 and a bumper crowd is expected for the showpiece game of Sir Doug Nicholls Rounds between Richmond and Essendon.
For the first time, a VFL curtain raiser between the two clubs will be played ahead of the iconic game, with gates 1,2,3 & 6 open from 2:30pm for the first bounce at 2:45pm. Any EFC members or fans with access to the AFL game can attend the VFL curtain raiser using their EFC mobile membership or Ticketek ticket.
All remaining gates will be open from 5:30pm, with fans encouraged to be at the 'G early to ensure they have plenty of time to get into the venue and enjoy the array of pre-game entertainment and cultural celebrations commencing at 6:15pm with the entry of The Long Walkers.
Electric Fields and King Stingray will kick off the pre-game entertainment at 6:30pm, each performing two of their iconic tracks.
Uncle Colin Hunter will conduct the night’s Welcome to Country from 7pm accompanied by the Djirri Djirri dance group and the Eip Karem Bizen, whose performance will highlight both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture to mark the 30th year anniversary of the Mabo decision.
The traditional Marngrook will be presented by Mara Lovett-Murray, while the official game ball will be presented by Aunty Lulu Coombs - this year’s designer of the artwork that adorns the footballs throughout Sir Doug Nicholls Rounds.
Two awe-inspiring war cries will be performed ahead of the first bounce, with each club represented by cultural performers - the Bombers by the Koori Youth Shake Spears, and Richmond by lead dancer Jordan Edwards and the group from its Korin Gamadji Institute.
MEMBERSHIP AND ACCESS
Your Mobile Membership via the Essendon app is your ticket to the game. If you haven’t received your commemorative member card for this season yet, they are on the way, but remember they are only a memento and do not provide access to games. All the information you need to access your Mobile Membership can be found here.
Our Member Services team will be located in the Essendon membership marquee outside gate 3 from 5pm.
A reminder for our general admission members, please disregard the 'Section, Row and Seat' information displayed at the top of your ticket. This is only information used to provide you access to general admission areas, not a specific seat.
Not getting to the game on Saturday night? Not to worry. Although a ticket will show in your mobile membership, you will only use one of your game entitlements if you scan in.
MERCHANDISE
Bombers merchandise will be available outside gates 1, 3, 4 and 5, as well as inside gates 1, 2, 5 and the MCG Shop. Show your passion with a huge range of 150-year merchandise, including the incredible 2022 Under Armour Dreamtime guernsey designed by Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti. Don't forget, 2022 members receive 10 per cent off all merchandise.
