Essendon make a rare trip down the highway to Geelong for a Saturday night blockbuster at GMHBA Stadium.
It's a battle of the Scott twins with both teams looking to establish themselves in the top eight.
Can the reigning premiers raise their level or will the Bombers spring an upset?
MORE: AFL Round 18 Betting Tips: Underdogs Port Adelaide provide value, Essendon to challenge Geelong
What time is the AFL tonight? Geelong vs Essendon start time
Saturday night's game between Geelong and Essendon will begin at 7.25pm AEST.
The game will be held at the GMHBA Stadium in Geelong.
| City | Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane | Adelaide | Perth |
| Time | 7.25pm | 7.25pm | 7.25pm | 6.55pm | 5.25pm |
How to watch or livestream Geelong vs Essendon
| Region | Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane | Adelaide | Perth | Tasmania | Darwin |
| Channel | Fox Footy | Fox Footy/Channel 7 | Fox Footy/7mate | Fox Footy | Fox Footy | Fox Footy/Channel 7 | Fox Footy/Channel 7 |
| Broadcast time | 7.20pm | 7.20pm/7.00pm | 7.20pm/7.00pm | 6.55pm | 5.25pm | 7.20pm/7.00pm | 6.50pm/6.30pm |
Kayo Sports will stream the game live.
MORE: AFL Injury List 2023
Geelong vs Essendon odds
Geelong are favoured to win this game, paying $1.28 to Essendon's $3.70 per BlueBet.
Geelong vs Essendon round 18 team lists
Geelong's starting 22
Substitute: Oisin Mullin
| Full Back | Jake Koladjashnij | Sam De Koning | Jack Henry |
| Half Back | Zach Guthrie | Tom Stewart | Jack Bowes |
| Centre | Mitch Duncan | Mark Blicavs | Isaac Smith |
| Half Forward | Gryan Miers | Jeremy Cameron | Tyson Stengle |
| Full Forward | Oliver Henry | Tom Hawkins | Brad Close |
| Followers | Rhys Stanley | Patrick Dangerfield | Tom Atkins |
| Interchange | Tanner Bruhn | Mark O'Connor | Gary Rohan |
| Max Holmes | Oisin Mullin | ||
| Emergencies | Zach Tuohy | Esava Ratugolea | |
| Oliver Dempsey |
INS: Isaac Smith, Jake Koladjashnij, Jeremy Cameron
OUTS: Oliver Dempsey (sub), Zach Tuohy (managed), Esava Ratugolea (managed), Oisin Mullin (omitted)
Essendon's starting 22
Substitute: Nick Hind
| Full Back | Andrew McGrath | Brandon Zerk-Thatcher | Jayden Laverde |
| Half Back | Mason Redman | Jordan Ridley | Dyson Heppell |
| Centre | Nic Martin | Zach Merrett | Sam Durham |
| Half Forward | Kyle Langford | Sam Weideman | Ben Hobbs |
| Full Forward | Matt Guelfi | Peter Wright | Jake Stringer |
| Followers | Nick Bryan | Darcy Parish | Archie Perkins |
| Interchange | Will Snelling | Jake Kelly | Jye Caldwell |
| Jye Menzie | Nick Hind | ||
| Emergencies | Nik Cox | Alwyn Davey | |
| Patrick Voss |
INS: Nick Bryan
OUTS: Dylan Shiel (injured), Andrew Phillips (suspension)
