The Bombers will return to Marvel Stadium on Sunday for the first of two consecutive home games at the venue.
Here's what you need to know for the clash with Fremantle.
ROUND NINE
Essendon v Fremantle
1:10pm AEST, Sunday, May 16
Marvel Stadium
BROADCAST
TV/streaming*: Fox Footy, Kayo
Radio*: TBC
*Based on Melbourne/VIC region. Click here to adjust your state.
MEMBERSHIP
We are excited to have our reserved seat members back in their reserved seats on Sunday. All reserved seat members are reminded that they can only access the game using their Mobile Membership Card available through the official club app. The Mobile Membership Card will indicate the gate each member can scan in to access the venue, so please make note of this and have your Mobile Membership Card open on your smartphone and ready to scan when you reach the gate. Further information and a step-by-step guide can be found here.
There is no general admission area available at Marvel Stadium as all attendees must be allocated a specific seat due to COVID protocols. Flexi members are asked to redeem a seat via Ticketmaster that is available for $0.00 in the General Reserved price category.
Member services will be available to assist with all member enquiries at the ticket windows located at Gates 3, 5 and 7.
The High Mark Room will be open and accessible to all High Mark members. Access is granted upon presentation of your High Mark Mobile Membership Card, but please remember access is only available via the doors on Level D within the Gate 6 hub and not through the glass doors at the back of the seating bay. This is done in order to monitor the capacity of the room. High Mark members exiting the venue during the game are reminded that they can only scan out of the venue via the same gate they entered (gate listed on Mobile Membership Card).
TICKETING
Tickets are available to be purchased via Ticketmaster. It is recommended that patrons purchase their tickets in advance of the match. Please be aware that Marvel Stadium is a fully digital and cashless venue, and all tickets will only be available for mobile scanning.
KEY TIMINGS
11:30am - Gates open
12:59pm - Essendon enters arena
1:08pm - Coin toss
1:09pm - Scarf wave
1:10pm - Game commences
SCARF WAVE
A mighty tradition born from Kevin Sheedy's famous jacket wave, the scarf wave will take place 30 seconds before the bounce. Make sure you're in your seats with your scarves at the ready, as we let the Dockers know who they're coming up against.
PURPLE BOMBERS
On the eve of International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT), Purple Bombers will have representation on the match-day banner and toss the coin before the bounce.
Established in 2014, Purple Bombers is the official LGBTIQ+ supporter and community group of the Essendon Football Club.
It works closely with the club in providing a safe environment for all fans and players, continuing to lead for inclusiveness with many different initiatives, and taking on the responsibility to not except hatred, discrimination, sexism and homophobia to players, staff and supporters.
Click here to view and purchase all Purple Bombers memberships, and here for more information on Purple Bombers.
MERCHANDISE
Grab all of the latest Bombers merchandise at the club hub outside Gate 5, as well as inside Gates 5 and 7. Don't forget to show your 2021 membership card to receive 10 per cent off.
ONLINE COVERAGE
Bombers fans keep across the club’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts (@EssendonFC) for inner-sanctum access and comprehensive match-day coverage from the MCG. You can also join the conversation on Twitter by using the official match hashtag #AFLDonsFreo and official club hashtag #godons.
MATCH CENTRE
Keep across our match centre for live scores, stats, news, videos and more.
MATCH-DAY ACTIVATIONS
Here are some activations to keep across on game day.
Coles Insurance Nice Surprises: Our friends at Coles Insurance have a nice surprise in store for a couple of energetic Bombers supporters this weekend at half-time. Whether you’re seated or standing, as soon as you see the Coles Insurance cam come around at quarter-time, get loud, get lively and show off your team colours. You could be the lucky fan to walk away with a nice surprise.
Fujitsu Flame: The popular Fujitsu Flame is back for 2021, taking place at three-quarter time on Saturday. Possible entrants will be contacted directly by the club before game day. If the successful entrant beats the Flame, he/she will receive $500. If not, he/she will receive a Bombers merchandise pack.
Fujitsu Fast Five: The Fujitsu Fast Five is a new online competition where the person who gets the best time on five trivia questions will receive a $100 Bomber Shop voucher. The questions will be based on the Bombers' history against the Dockers. Stay tuned to the club's social media channels and the big screen at Marvel Stadium to get involved.
McCafe VIP Experience: McDonald's will welcome five special club members to its McCafe VIP Experience. The members will be pre-selected.
Macca's Kick 2 Kick: Macca’s Kick 2 Kick is back! Due to the ongoing national COVID-19 restrictions, Macca’s Kick 2 Kick will work a little differently in 2021. If you're heading to Marvel Stadium on Sunday, you could be one of the lucky fans announced to take to the field for a kick after the final siren. Make sure you bring your footy with you as your section could be selected.
Coles and UNICEF supporting India’s COVID-19 crisis appeal: Club partner Coles will be donating $600 for every goal and $100 for every point scored across all round nine AFL games to UNICEF Australia's India COVID-19 crisis appeal. The appeal is procuring and installing oxygen generation plants in hospitals to treat seriously ill patients, providing testing equipment in heavily impacted districts and supporting acceleration of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout. Along with Coles supporting the appeal, you can donate at www.unicef.org.au/covidcrisis.
