Zak Butters will face Port Adelaide for the first time in Western Bulldogs colours on the Sunday night of Gather Round 2027, after the AFL released the nine-game fixture for next April’s round in South Australia.
The AFL confirmed the schedule on Monday morning, with the Power and the Bulldogs closing the round at Adelaide Oval on Sunday 11 April, AFL.com.au reported.
Butters left Port after eight years at the club to join the Bulldogs as a free agent earlier this month, and the clash is the clear headline game of the round.
Marshall meets the Saints
It is not the only grudge match. Rowan Marshall’s Geelong will play St Kilda at Barossa Park on the Sunday afternoon, after the ruckman was traded from the Saints to the Cats this month.
Three 2026 finals will also be replayed at Adelaide Oval. Adelaide host three-time premiers Brisbane in the Thursday night opener, Carlton meet Melbourne on the Saturday afternoon, and Fremantle play Hawthorn on the Saturday night. The Crows will open Gather Round for a fifth straight year, Fox Sports noted.
Read more: Zak Butters Free Agency Paperwork In as AFL Approves Mega-Deal
Collingwood and Sydney meet on the Friday night, while Gold Coast play Greater Western Sydney, Essendon face North Melbourne and Richmond take on West Coast.
Dillon on the round
“Gather Round brings all 18 clubs and their fans together in South Australia and this fixture gives supporters nine exciting match-ups to look forward to across four days,” AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said.
“From Thursday night at Adelaide Oval through to Sunday, there will be footy across Adelaide, Norwood and the Barossa, giving fans the chance to experience matches and everything South Australia has to offer.”
Gather Round will be round four of the 2027 season and falls during school holidays. Opening Round has been scrapped, and the season will start on 17 or 18 March, later than usual because of the 150th anniversary Test between Australia and England at the MCG, according to AFL.com.au.
Read more: AFL Origin 2027: WA vs SA Date Locked In at Optus Stadium
2027 Gather Round fixture (local times)
Thursday 8 April: Adelaide v Brisbane, Adelaide Oval, 7.10pm
Friday 9 April: Collingwood v Sydney, Adelaide Oval, 7.10pm
Saturday 10 April: Gold Coast v Greater Western Sydney, Barossa Park, 12.05pm
Saturday 10 April: Carlton v Melbourne, Adelaide Oval, 1.05pm
Saturday 10 April: Richmond v West Coast, Norwood Oval, 4.05pm
Saturday 10 April: Fremantle v Hawthorn, Adelaide Oval, 7.15pm
Sunday 11 April: Essendon v North Melbourne, Norwood Oval, 12pm
Sunday 11 April: Geelong v St Kilda, Barossa Park, 2.45pm
Sunday 11 April: Port Adelaide v Western Bulldogs, Adelaide Oval, 6.45pm
Tickets go on sale on Wednesday 9 December for club and AFL members, with the general public able to buy from Thursday 10 December, Fox Sports reported.
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