The AFL wishes to advise the Round 12 Toyota AFL Sir Doug Nicholls Round Dreamtime match between Essendon and Richmond will now be played at Optus Stadium after being relocated from the MCG.

The AFL informed both clubs earlier today that the game was relocated from Melbourne due to the current Covid situation.

The Dreamtime game will commence at 5:40pm AWST / 7:40pm AEST on Saturday, June 5.

AFL Executive General Manager Broadcasting and Clubs Travis Auld said relocating the venue for the game allowed for the best possible celebration of the marquee match of the annual Toyota AFL Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

“As we continue to navigate the ongoing situation in Victoria, along with the relevant state border restrictions currently in place across the country, we have made the decision to move the match to Optus Stadium,” Mr Auld said.

“While it is disappointing we have had to relocate this game from the MCG, we are equally excited to showcase this important celebration to Western Australian footy fans.

“We would like to thank the respective State Governments, our broadcast partner the Seven Network, Optus Stadium and both clubs for their partnership as we worked through this arrangement.”

AFL Executive General Manager Inclusion and Social Policy Tanya Hosch said she was looking forward to Dreamtime being played at Optus Stadium for the first time.

“It has been great to see the football community celebrate Sir Doug Nicholls Round over the course of Round 11 games so far and I am really looking forward to seeing the Dreamtime game played in front of fans at Optus Stadium for the first time,” Ms. Hosch said.

“This season marks the fifteenth year the AFL has a dedicated Round to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and their contribution to Australian Football.

“The Dreamtime game in Darwin last season was a truly special celebration where we saw firsthand how much the Sir Doug Nicholls Round – and the Dreamtime game – meant to footy fans in the Top End and we look forward to being able to share the celebration in Western Australia next week.

“We know First Peoples of Western Australia have a rich history of producing incredible footy talent so I am really looking forward to Perth hosting Dreamtime at Optus Stadium.”

The Dreamtime game will be broadcast live on the Seven Network and FOX FOOTY and streamed live via Kayo.

Ticketing arrangements for the Dreamtime game will be advised tomorrow, Monday May 31.

The AFL continues to closely monitor the situation and will continue to work with respective State Governments and health officials with a view to providing a further update on remaining games of Round 12 in the coming days.