For the first time since its inception, the iconic Dreamtime at the ‘G fixture will take place on a Friday night in the 2025 AFL season, marking a historic shift for one of the league’s most celebrated fixtures. 

Traditionally held on Saturday nights, the game’s move to the pinnacle Friday night broadcast slot underscores its importance on the AFL calendar and creates new opportunities for community involvement and cultural celebration.

Round 11’s Dreamtime clash between Essendon and Richmond will bring with it an enhanced experience of The Long Walk, which will now commence on Friday afternoon, transforming the Melbourne CBD into a celebration of Indigenous culture and unity. 

The timing will allow schools to participate, creating a more inclusive event that engages young Australians with the legacy and significance of Dreamtime at the ‘G. The Long Walk, a powerful tradition started by Essendon legend Michael Long, serves as a symbolic journey to the MCG, championing respect and reconciliation.

Essendon CEO Craig Vozzo said the new timeslot promises to elevate the iconic fixture.

“We are excited to host Dreamtime at the G for the first time on a Friday night in 2025. It’s a fantastic opportunity for the club to work alongside The Long Walk, Richmond and the AFL to further elevate how we celebrate this iconic game,” Vozzo said. 

“Friday night football attracts a big broadcast audience, and we look forward to the new iteration of The Long Walk on a Friday afternoon that will captivate the Melbourne CBD, engage the football community throughout Melbourne and fans across the country.

This year’s Dreamtime game will also commemorate a significant milestone in the fight against racism in Australian sport, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Peek Rule. Introduced in 1995 as Rule 30, this ground-breaking regulation was established in response to Michael Long’s experience with racial abuse during the 1995 Anzac Day match. Named after former AFL official Tony Peek, the rule was the first in Australian sport to address vilification and has since become a model for codes across the nation.

The 2025 Dreamtime at the ‘G promises to be an extraordinary event, as fans, players, and communities come together to honour Indigenous culture, celebrate progress, and recommit to the fight against racism.