[babytiger2001]

It's getting tighter and tighter in the finals race -- and those hoping to book places in the September action just might be getting more and more desperate!

This weekend's fixtures...

Friday, 7 August
Carlton v Geelong -- at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (M.C.G.) -- 7:40 p.m. Melbourne time

Saturday, 8 August
Western Bulldogs v West Coast -- at the Docklands stadium -- 2:10 p.m. Melbourne time
Hawthorn v St. Kilda -- at Aurora Stadium, Launceston -- 2:10 p.m. Tasmanian time (same in Melbourne)
Essendon v Brisbane -- at the M.C.G. -- 7:10 p.m. Melbourne time
Adelaide v Collingwood -- at AAMI Stadium -- 7:10 p.m. Adelaide time (7:40 p.m. in Melbourne)

Sunday, 9 August
North Melbourne v Melbourne -- at the Docklands stadium -- 1:10 p.m. Melbourne time
Richmond v Sydney -- at the M.C.G. -- 2:10 p.m. Melbourne time
Fremantle v Port Adelaide -- at Subiaco Oval -- 2:40 p.m. Perth time (4:40 p.m. in Melbourne)

And as far as what's on view to the U.S. and global audience this weekend...

On Manian's channel on the justin.tv service:

• Carlton v Geelong, live
• Hawthorn v St. Kilda, live
• Adelaide v Collingwood, live
• Richmond v Sydney, live

And all the other games are likely to be streamed online via Freo95's "Footy Net" service on the USTREAM service:

• Western Bulldogs v West Coast, live
• Essendon v Brisbane, live
• North Melbourne v Melbourne, live
• Fremantle v Port Adelaide, live

And while the AFL's official website has yet to announce any streaming plans for Round 19, and ESPN's coverage into the U.K. and Ireland is set to begin this weekend, no word as of yet -- at least not from AFANA.com's news service -- as to what Setanta Sport USA will be airing, but we'll stay on top of any breaking news.

So those streaming connections as mentioned above might be our best options for live coverage, especially for those overseas.

All the news, information and squads to be contained here, as the week unfolds. If you see anything newsworthy and relative to the round ahead, beat me to the punch -- you're strongly encouraged to post it here, for information and discussion.

And for those involved in our weekly tipping competition, the deadline for getting your tips in is just ahead of Friday night's Carlton v Geelong match at the MCG.

Enjoy the footy, everyone!!

[RichardL]

Originally Posted by babytiger2001

And while the AFL's official website has yet to announce any streaming plans for Round 19, and ESPN's coverage into the U.K. and Ireland is set to begin this weekend, no word as of yet -- at least not from AFANA.com's news service -- as to what Setanta Sport USA will be airing, but we'll stay on top of any breaking news.

It doesn't look like ESPN are showing any games this weekend. They seem to be struggling in the first week, just showing repeats of old football matches etc, although actually finding out what they are showing isn't easy, as they haven't managed to make their schedule public yet. Their website still has it as "coming soon", even though it started yesterday. Not the greatest of starts.

[ChrisH]

Also in regards to coverage (don't know if this has been mentioned or not), it looks like espn360.com will begin showing coverage this weekend with the Carlton/Geelong, Adelaide/Collingwood, and Richmond/Sydney games. It's currently listed on their schedule under football. Hopefully they are not teasing me.

[el-capitano]

in.

[babytiger2001]

Originally Posted by ChrisH

Also in regards to coverage (don't know if this has been mentioned or not), it looks like espn360.com will begin showing coverage this weekend with the Carlton/Geelong, Adelaide/Collingwood, and Richmond/Sydney games. It's currently listed on their schedule under football. Hopefully they are not teasing me.

Thanks, Chris. That's good to know.

I tried signing up for espn360.com not too long ago, probably for live coverage of a USMNT World Cup Qualifier or something like that, but I couldn't get past the registration because you have to be in the U.S. to receive it, or at least be with a U.S.-based internet service provider.

If you, or any of our other U.S.-based regulars, want to give this a go and report back to the group to see how it goes, I'd be curious to find out. If anything, this might be the first clue towards ESPN's involvement of covering the AFL.

[Spartacus]

Originally Posted by babytiger2001

I tried signing up for espn360.com not too long ago, probably for live coverage of a USMNT World Cup Qualifier or something like that, but I couldn't get past the registration because you have to be in the U.S. to receive it, or at least be with a U.S.-based internet service provider.

Unfortunately, not all US-based service providers access espn360 (for example, I'm on EarthLink and it's not supported on espn360).

I have a feeling ESPN will "relegate" AFL to espn360 and not place it anywhere on the regular channels available on cable or satellite.

[el-capitano]

Carlton v Geelong
Western Bulldogs v West Coast
Hawthorn v St. Kilda
Essendon v Brisbane
Adelaide v Collingwood
North Melbourne v Melbourne
Richmond v Sydney
Fremantle v Port Adelaide

[ChrisH]

Geelong
Western Bulldogs
St. Kilda
Brisbane
Adelaide
North Melbourne
Richmond
Port Adelaide

[babytiger2001]

Originally Posted by Spartacus

Unfortunately, not all US-based service providers access espn360 (for example, I'm on EarthLink and it's not supported on espn360).

I have a feeling ESPN will "relegate" AFL to espn360 and not place it anywhere on the regular channels available on cable or satellite.

Probably it's wise to bookmark each of the sites I mentioned in the first post of this week's thread, and view the games that way. As far as I'm concerned, it's a sure thing, and very reliable.

[babytiger2001]

And the weekend's squads have been announced...

Teams story: Saints lose five to injury -- sportal.com.au

Some highlights:

• St. Kilda's depth will be tested for the first time this season as five players with big reputations -- captain Nick Riewoldt (concussion), Leigh Montagna (elbow), Brendon Goddard (knee), Lenny Hayes (back) and tagger Steven Baker (knee) -- have been ruled out for the Saints' clash in Tasmania against Hawthorn. While it seems that coach Ross Lyon would rather not risk players with minor injuries one month away from the start of the finals, and the Saints' perfect record this season is being put at risk, they do gain some relief with top ruckman Michael Gardiner back from injury and Zac Dawson returning to his back-line duties fresh from suspension.
• Hawthorn, meanwhile, have Robert Campbell and Michael Osbourne in at the expense of injured pair Brent Guerra and Xavier Ellis.
• Tomorrow night at the Docklands stadium, Paul Chapman misses out for Geelong with a hamstring injury against an unchanged Carlton side. Tom Lonergan comes into the forward line in place of the Cats' six-goal hero from the week before.
• Collingwood's Chris Dawes and Brad Dick come in for Jaxon Barham and Steele Sidebottom as the Magpies travel to South Australia to face Adelaide, who have brought Taylor Walker back into the lineup in place of back injury victim Patrick Dangerfield.
• Brisbane's chances of qualifying for a finals place for the first time since 2004 have improved with Daniel Bradshaw back from a hamstring injury and Tim Notting back from suspension, while opponents Essendon -- still missing captain Matthew Lloyd from the forward line -- have Andrew Lovett, Scott Lucas and Andrew Welsh all out through various injuries.