The Bombers' big clash with the inform Western Bulldogs this Friday night heads Essendon's involvement in the AFL Weekly News.
 
Around 50,000 fans are expected to flood Etihad Stadium in a game that will go a long way to securing a place for Essendon in the finals.
 
PROGRAM OF MATCHES (all times are local)

Round Sixteen

Friday July 17

Essendon v Western Bulldogs at Docklands, 7.40pm

Saturday July 18

Carlton v Sydney Swans at Docklands, 2.10pm

Geelong Cats v Melbourne at Skilled Stadium, 2.10pm; Curtain Raiser (VFL) – Geelong v Coburg, 10.30am

Collingwood v Hawthorn at the MCG, 7.10pm

Fremantle v Brisbane Lions at Subiaco, 5.40pm; Curtain Raiser – FFC Partner Clubs Country Teams, 3.15pm

Sunday July 19

Port Adelaide v West Coast at AAMI Stadium, 12.40pm; Curtain Raiser – Game Development Display, 10.50am

Richmond v North Melbourne at the MCG, 2.10pm

St Kilda v Adelaide at Docklands, 4.40pm

IMPENDING MILESTONES

200 games – Cameron Bruce, Melbourne

200 games – Josh Carr, Port Adelaide

200 games umpired – Matthew James

Most Consecutive Games – Brett Kirk, Sydney Swans. Brett is due to play his 170th consecutive game this week, dating back to round 15, 2002. This would take him equal to the ninth best consecutive games streak in history. The leading streaks in history are Jim Stynes (244 games between 1987-98), Adem Yze (226 games between 1997-2007), Adam Goodes (204 games between 1999-2007), Jack Titus (202 games between 1933-43), Jared Crouch (194 games between 1998-2006), Jock McHale (191 games between 1906-17), Andy Collins (189 games between 1988-96), Kevin Bartlett (173 games between 1975-82) and Marcus Ashcroft (170 games between 1992-2000).

150 games – Paul Medhurst, Collingwood

100 games – Brett Deledio, Richmond

100 games – Matt Maguire, St Kilda

50 games – Matthew White, Richmond

600 Venue Games – Geelong will play its 600th match at Skilled Stadium this week.

TRIBUNAL MATCH REVIEW PROCESS

The following players were reported from the weekend’s matches:

Jimmy Bartel, Geelong Cats, reported by umpire Stephen McBurney for engaging in rough conduct against Luke Power, Brisbane Lions, during the third quarter of the Round 15 match between the Geelong Cats and the Brisbane Lions, played at the Gabba on Saturday July 11, 2009.

Lance Franklin, Hawthorn, reported by umpire Michael Vozzo for engaging in rough conduct against Drew Petrie, North Melbourne, during the third quarter of the Round 15 match between Hawthorn and North Melbourne, played at Aurora Stadium on Sunday July 12, 2009.

AFL LONG-TERM INJURY LIST

The AFL wishes to advise the following recent changes have been made to club lists, under the provision of the AFL injury list rules.

Carlton – Upgraded Greg Bentley from the rookie list as the replacement for Jarrad Waite, who was already on the long-term injury list.

Western Bulldogs – Re-instated Paul O’Shea from the long-term injury list to the senior list, and returned Liam Picken to the rookie list.

AFL ROOKIE LIST, MID-SEASON UPGRADES TO SENIOR LIST

The AFL wishes to advise the following players have been upgraded to club senior lists, since round 11, under the revised rule allowing for one player per club to be upgraded after the mid-point of the season, provided that TPP requirements have been met.

North Melbourne – Cruize Garlett (after round 11).

Richmond – Robin Nahas (after round 11).

Port Adelaide – Danny Meyer (after round 11).

West Coast – Adam Cockie (after round 13).

Western Bulldogs – Liam Picken (after round 13).

2009 NAB AFL DRAFT KEY DATES

The AFL wishes to advise the key dates for the 2009 NAB AFL Draft / Trading period are as follows (all times are EST):

Tue Sept 29 - Commencement of 2009 Draft Camp, AIS Canberra.

Fri Oct 2 - Conclusion of 2009 Draft Camp.

Fri Oct 2, 2pm - Father / son nominations lodged with AFL.

Mon Oct 5, 10am - Father / son bidding meeting (Docklands).

Mon Oct 5 - Commencement of 2009 AFL Exchange Period.

Fri Oct 9, 2pm - Conclusion of 2009 AFL Exchange Period.

Fri Oct 30, 2pm – List Lodgement One. Rookie promotion to Primary List, Retained Second Year Rookies, Retained Third Year International Rookies, Retained Third Year Non-Registered Rookies.

Tue Nov 10, 2pm – Out of Contract Listed AFL Primary List Players Draft Nomination Deadline.

Fri Nov 13, 2pm – List Lodgement Two.

Wed Nov 18, 2pm – Delisted Primary List Player Draft Nomination Deadline.

Sat Nov 28 - 2009 NAB AFL Draft selection meeting (Docklands).

Tue Dec 1, 2pm – Out of Contract AFL Primary List Player Draft Nomination Deadline, NSW Scholarship-Listed Players and International Scholarship-Listed Players Inclusion on Rookie List Deadline.

Wed Dec 2, 2pm – List Lodgement Three and TPP Estimates.

Tue Dec 8, 2pm – Delisted Primary List Player Draft Nomination Deadline.

Tue Dec 15, 10am – NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft (Microsoft Live meeting).

Tue Dec 15, 10.15am – Brisbane Lions and Sydney Swans Rookie List Nominations, Third Year Rookie List Nominations.

Tue Dec 15, 10.20am – NAB AFL Rookie Draft (Microsoft Live meeting).