Live: Fremantle and Adelaide meet in blockbuster clash to open round 23

Fremantle and Adelaide go head-to-head in Perth in a match that could be a potential dress rehearsal for a finals clash later in the year. The Dockers are looking to extend their lead on top of the AFL ladder, as the fifth-placed Crows attempt to smash their way into the top four to seal a double-chance for the finals.Fri 14 Aug 2026 at 7:47pmFri 14 Aug 2026 at 7:47pmEnjoy the game, Sandra!Will be watching nervously from the Nurses Quarters in Narrogin whilst my husband and son are there enjoying the game. Go the Dockers💜- SandraFri 14 Aug 2026 at 7:47pmFri 14 Aug 2026 at 7:47pmIs tonight's clash the Tony Modra cup?For those of you who are old enough to remember, Tony Modra was a generational full forward in his day.Modra's best years were for the Crows, where he kicked 440 goals in just 118 games between 1992 and 1998.He was past his prime once he joined Freo in 1999 but still wound up kicking 148 goals in just 47 appearances before retiring at the end of 2001.Fri 14 Aug 2026 at 7:43pmFri 14 Aug 2026 at 7:43pmRecent history between Fremantle and AdelaideHere's how the last five meetings between the Dockers and Crows have gone ahead of tonight's clash:R4, 2026: Fremantle 11.12 (78) def. Adelaide 11.10 (76) @ Adelaide OvalR7, 2025: Fremantle 12.13 (85) def. Adelaide 9.13 (67) @ Perth StadiumR3, 2024: Fremantle 9.15 (69) def. Adelaide 4.10 (34) @ Perth StadiumR4, 2023: Adelaide 17.9 (111) def. Fremantle 10.12 (72) @ Adelaide OvalR1, 2022: Fremantle 11.17 (83) def. Adelaide 12.10 (82) @ Adelaide OvalFri 14 Aug 2026 at 7:39pmFri 14 Aug 2026 at 7:39pmRyan speaks ahead of 200th career gameFremantle defender Luke Ryan plays his 200th game tonight.He's been an unbelievable pick-up for the Dockers after being drafted 66th overall in 2016 at a 20-year-old.Fri 14 Aug 2026 at 7:35pmFri 14 Aug 2026 at 7:35pmNo late changes for either Fremantle or AdelaideFremantle and Adelaide's team line-ups. (AFL.com.au)Both Fremantle and Adelaide are set to line up as originally selected this evening in Perth.The Dockers have made two changes to last week's side that lost to the Dees with Alex Pearce and Christopher Scerri replacing the injured Murphy Reid and the omitted Judd McVee.Adelaide has made a total of six changes to last week's side.James Borlase, Luke Nankervis, Darcy Fogarty, Lachlan McAndrew, Jake Soligo and Toby Murray are the ins, replacing Alex Neal-Bullen, Taylor Walker, Reilly O'Brien, Archie Ludowyke, Billy Dowling and Oscar Ryan.Fri 14 Aug 2026 at 7:30pmFri 14 Aug 2026 at 7:30pmLongmuir on last week's thrilling loss to MelbourneFremantle coach Justin Longmuir is addressing last week's loss to the Dees."We didn't defend the ground well enough, particularly behind the ball, our contest was really poor. "The most disappointing thing was when we got a solid lead, we let them back in. "There were some good lessons to come out of a close game, especially a close loss where we lacked some composure in the last five minutes. "We haven't played a lot of close games."Fri 14 Aug 2026 at 7:22pmFri 14 Aug 2026 at 7:22pmWelcome!Good evening and welcome to ABC Sport's live AFL coverage!Round 23 of the home and away season kicks off with an absolute blockbuster tonight as ladder-leader Fremantle hosts Adelaide at Perth Stadium.Could tonight's clash be a potential dress rehearsal for a finals clash next month?The first bounce is scheduled for 8:10pm AEST, so strap yourselves in as we bring you all the pre-match news before live action gets underway.