The AFL is set to add a second Dreamtime clash between Essendon and Richmond to the football calendar in 2027.
Essendon and Richmond are set to travel west to Perth in Round 16 with the second match to be called ‘Dreamtime at Maali', according to Code Sports, which is the Noongar word for ‘black swan'.
The two clubs' current Dreamtime at the G match will remain and is expected to be held in May, with Richmond hosting the MCG game and Essendon hosting the new Optus Stadium fixture.
The two clubs have signed a two-year deal with the Western Australian government. Hosting rights will reverse in 2028.
Richmond and Essendon's motivation behind playing a "home" match in Perth is financially incentivised and the two clubs are confident in strong attendance for both years.
The Tigers and Bombers have a strong following in Western Australia and in 2021, when the Dreamtime match was played at Optus Stadium due to the pandemic, the match drew a crowd of 55,656. The ground has a capacity of around 60,000.
The AFL is expected to announce the second Dreamtime match when it releases the 2027 fixture on Thursday.
