A date with the Kangaroos awaits Essendon in the first ever Gather Round matchup between the two clubs next season.
2027’s iteration of footy’s 'festival weekend' has the Bombers gracing Norwood Oval for the first time in the Club’s history - they did once face the Redlegs in an 1883 round robin exhibition but that tour even predated the development of the famous SANFL ground.
The confirmed fixture has the Dons and Roos locked in for the 12:30pm AEST (12pm local) time slot on Sunday, April 11.
Gather Round’s hosted a happy hunting ground for the Bombers since its inception, with the Club winning three of its four appearances in South Australia to date - all coming against the Dees at Adelaide Oval.
Essendon CEO Tim Roberts said the opportunity to take on another building young side at a ground with rich footy pedigree was exciting for the Club.
“Our history against North Melbourne in the AFL era has been well documented and it’s great to be able to add a new chapter to it in a big weekend for the competition,” Roberts said.
“Norwood Oval has a significant interstate footy reputation that’s only grown over its 120-plus-year history. The Sunday midday time slot will be really accessible not just for our home members and fans, but importantly our South Australian supporters who we’re looking forward to seeing again across that weekend of footy.
“The Kangaroos are another group with a new coach and exciting players in a similar age bracket to ours - we hope it makes for a good matchup when April 2027 rolls around.”
Following the success of the Club’s House of Dons pop-up this year, Essendon will again look to replicate the weekend with Bomber-centric activations throughout the festival for both its local and travelling contingent of members and fans.
The AFL will confirm the remainder of the fixture for the 2027 home-and-away season over the coming week.
Essendon will communicate ticketing details for Gather Round and the wider fixture as they become available.
Essendon v North Melbourne
Gather Round
Norwood Oval
Sunday, April 11, 12:30pm AEST (12pm ACST)
