AFL round 11 2026, scores, results, odds, stats and start time from the MCG

It’s snooze time no more. Dreamtime finally has a contest worthy of the occasion.

With the game on the line, the intensity has been dialled up the last few minutes. This faster tempo is suiting the Tigers, who have a 14-point lead with just under nine minutes to go, but the Dons also need pace on the ball to open up play to allow the three goals they need to pinch the four points.

The crowd tonight? Better than some probably expected, or feared: 78,815

Archer May has been one of Essendon’s best tonight with three goals, but he’s been forced off for the moment after taking a fearful shot to his midriff in a marking contest.

It was tough to see where he took the most contact, but he was able to jog from the field so hopefully he can return.

Tigers 67, Dons 53 with eight mins to go.

Seth Campbell toed the ball towards the goal line when a diving, full-speed Archer Day-Wicks punched the ball over the line but also cannoned into Campbell’s legs and took him out.

Several commentators thought it should have been a free kick for tripping.

“That’s why they brought that rule in,” Shaun Burgoyne said on Kayo Sports.

But the Tigers haven’t dropped their heads, they scored a free kick and a 50-metre penalty courtesy of Darcy Parish, and they got the ball to Lynch who broke his streak of misses and kicked a massive goal.

Tigers 66, Dons 52 with 12 mins to play.

That was a grim quarter of football, more snooze time at the ’G than Dreamtime.

It was befitting of a game between 17th and 18th, who have won just four games between them since the corresponding clash 12 months ago.

Neither side was prepared to take the game on.

Just when things looked impossible for the injury-hit Bombers, they have finished the term on fire with Archer May kicking his third goal and the ball being trapped in Essendon’s half for the final few minutes of the term.

The Tigers need to find their running and pressure game again. If they do, they should win but nothing is certain in the final term.

Essendon won’t go away, and the Tigers refuse to put them away.

Archie Roberts led a counterattack through the middle, launching the Sherrin long where Nate Caddy could have had a free kick. But eventually the ball found its way to Archer May, who slotted a low shot through.

He’s been super for the Dons tonight, the stepson of Hawthorn legend Dermott Brereton.

Tigers 58, Dons 45 with two mins to go in Q3.

This game is edging into the territory of last year’s eyesore.

Both teams have taken the pace out of the match. They’re intent on chipping the ball from side to side. It suits Essendon, who are down to two fit men on the bench, as they don’t want it to become a test of endurance.

The Tigers won’t mind either, as they have a handy lead of three to four goals and don’t need to take risks.

At some point, the Bombers will need to take the game on. Even with their injury blues, there will be no honour in losing without daring to win.

Tigers star Tom Lynch has missed two shots at goal early in the second half and those goals could have pushed out the margin.

But the Dons haven’t been able to take their chances either, with Nate Caddy just hitting the post with a shot from 50 metres out.

Meanwhile, skipper Andy McGrath was shown walking to the ambulance as he heads to hospital to have his suspected broken jaw treated.

It’s horrible news for one of the Dons’ key players and leaders.

Tigers 57, Dons 36 with 11 mins to go in Q3.

Click here to read article