In a boost for Victorian based fans, Essendon will play the loser of this Sunday's Fremantle/Melbourne clash in a Challenge game in Melbourne.

 

The AFL today confirmed that the Bombers' next match - which is expected to be played at Visy Park - will be held on Saturday, 27th February.

 

 

The AFL has also advised that the Match Review Panel has reviewed the matches played from the weekend and contact between Essendon’s Kyle Reimers and West Coast’s Josh Kennedy from the third quarter of Friday’s match was deemed below that required to constitute a reportable offence. No further action was taken.

 

The AFL today released the following weekly news:

 

 

St Kilda v Collingwood at Etihad Stadium, 7.40pm

 

Sydney Swans v Carlton at Blacktown, 7.40pm

 

Geelong Cats v North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, 4.40pm

 

Fremantle v Melbourne at Subiaco, 5.40pm

 

 

 

Please find below the tallies of pre-season / night series premierships won by AFL clubs since the first competition was played in 1956

 

9 - Hawthorn

6 - Essendon

5 - North Melbourne

4 - Carlton, Sydney Swans, Western Bulldogs, St Kilda

3 – Melbourne, Geelong Cats

2 - Fitzroy, Port Adelaide

1 - Richmond, Collingwood, Adelaide

0 - Brisbane Lions, Fremantle, West Coast

 

Most Pre-Season Games – Darren Milburn, Geelong Cats. Darren has played 33 pre-season matches, currently equal seventh on the all-time list. He can move to equal fourth on the all-time list with his next game. The most pre-season games played by players are John Blakey (45, Fitzroy and North Melbourne), Wayne Carey (36, North Melbourne and Adelaide), Glenn Archer (36, North Melbourne), Robert Scott (34, Geelong and North Melbourne), Mick Martyn (34, North Melbourne), Anthony Stevens (34, North Melbourne), Shannon Grant (33, Sydney Swans and North Melbourne), Darren Milburn (33, Geelong Cats), Adam Simpson (33, North Melbourne) and Nick Stevens (33, Port Adelaide and Carlton).