Live: Swans, Crows in SCG blockbuster

live AFL Rd 19 live updates: Sydney Swans vs Adelaide Crows at the SCG — blog, scores and stats The Swans take on the Crows in a Friday night blockbuster at the SCG in what could be a preview of this year's qualifying final. Second-placed Sydney lost to Fremantle last week, but Dean Cox's men are still in prime position to host a qualifying final. The Crows have won four of their last five to roar into top-four contention, and a win tonight could boost their campaign for the double chance in September. Follow all the action in our live blog. Submit a comment or question Live updates New: Filters Choose what information you see below by using filters Fri 17 Jul 2026 at 7:22pm It's going to be damp conditions in Sydney So we're not looking at dry weather footy tonight in Sydney. There has been about 5mm of rain since this morning, but closer to 35mm the last day or so. There are also showers looking like they're headed for the general vicinity this evening. They might miss the SCG, they might not, but it seems likely things will be a little bit slippery. Who will that benefit? Fri 17 Jul 2026 at 7:20pm 'Circuit-breaker': Bulldogs drop out-of-form young gun Western Bulldogs young gun Joel Freijah has been dropped for a crunch clash with Gold Coast following a tough run of form. Once nicknamed "Baby Bont'' because of his similarities with captain Marcus Bontempelli, Freijah has struggled for his best during his third season in the AFL. Still just 20, Freijah will play in the Bulldogs' VFL game on Sunday before the AFL match against the Suns at Carrara. Like forward Rhylee West, who has made his way back into the seniors, coach Luke Beveridge described Freijah's omission as a "circuit-breaker". "It's been challenging for him," Beveridge said. "He's named in the squad at the moment. I'm happy to say that he's likely to be an emergency this week." Freijah put together a stunning first two seasons in the AFL, despite slipping to pick 45 in the 2023 draft. "There's a thing with young players finding their way as far as the next level goes and being a really influential player in the competition," Beveridge said. "It's hard to get through those barriers. "We saw how he can really influence outcomes last year — his Sydney game (four goals, 23 possessions) was probably the high-water mark of his performances. "Week to week we've been hoping for his best. "He's playing through that midfield area inside, bit of wing, a little bit forward. "He can definitely play back at times, but we'll give him a spell from AFL duties and the pressures of that level this week." Sore ruckman Tim English has been named to return after missing last week's gritty win over West Coast due to ongoing back soreness. He got through on Friday to be a definite starter against the Suns. Nick Coffield, Ryley Sanders and Riley Garcia also return for the Bulldogs, while Luke Kennedy and Luke Cleary join Freijah as omissions. The Bulldogs also confirmed veteran Adam Treloar suffered a calf injury, which could finish his 263-game AFL career. Treloar has been plagued by soft-tissues for the past two seasons and is heavily considering retiring. AAP Fri 17 Jul 2026 at 7:15pm Teams are in for Swans vs Crows There are no late changes to either side, and you can check out the final line-ups above. Sydney has made four changes to last week's side that lost to Fremantle, and the ins are significant. The Swans omit Caiden Cleary, Joel Hamling, Tom Hanily and Harry Kyle. In come dynamic forward Malcolm Rosas Jr, key forward Logan McDonald, running defender Riley Bice and Braeden Campbell, who is playing his first game of the season after a stress fracture of the shin. For the Crows, Rory Laird's ankle injury puts him out, while Adelaide has managed Taylor Walker, who is one short of hitting the 700-goal mark in AFL. Into the side come the impressive Hugo Hall-Kahan and Isaac Cumming. Key Event Fri 17 Jul 2026 at 7:00pm Welcome to Friday night football Hello, good evening and welcome to ABC's live online coverage of round 19 of the AFL. Tonight, we're off to the SCG for a tasty clash between the second-placed Sydney Swans and the fifth-placed Adelaide Crows. After last night's attritional Geelong-St Kilda game, we're hoping that we don't have any more major injuries this evening. A Sydney loss could all but hand the minor premiership to Fremantle and keep the Crows right in the hunt for the double chance. An Adelaide loss would let in the Demons and Lions to lay claim to fourth spot, and give the Swans a morale-boosting win after their loss to the Dockers. My name is Andrew McGarry and I'm delighted to bring you all of tonight's action. Let's go!