The AFL has released its official pre-season round schedule, as well as details for separate ‘match simulation’ hit-outs that will take place the preceding week.
All 18 clubs will compete in one official practice match, which will be held across the first few days of March. The format and game length will replicate the AFL premiership season, with the official matches to be shown live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
One week before that round, 16 clubs will take part in an additional match simulation hit-out. The competing teams have decided on the format, number of players, game length and number of breaks.
The Western Bulldogs and Giants are the two clubs that have opted not to participate in the extra match simulation round. Instead, they’ll have intra-club hit-outs as part of their respective community camps.
The Dogs will head to Ballarat for a formal Captain’s Run on February 24 followed by an intra-club fixture among the squad the next day. The Giants, who’ll be in Canberra for their camp, will also hold an intra-club game on the Saturday.
“After an incredible 2022 – in which we saw two AFLW seasons and one of the best AFL seasons on record – the football industry took a well-earned break. Now, footy returns and momentum builds for the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season,” AFL Executive General Manager Clubs and Broadcast Travis Auld said.
“Fans will get their first glimpse at new players, new coaches, and new captains ahead of a big 2023 season.”
MORE TO COME
UNOFFICIAL MATCH SIMULATIONS (all times AEDT)
Thursday February 23
Geelong v Hawthorn, GMHBA Stadium, 4pm (4 x 20min plus time on)
Gold Coast v Essendon, Austworld Oval (Carrara), 5pm (6 x 25min, no time on)
Friday February 24
North Melbourne v Richmond, Arden St, 10am (4 x 25min, 2 x2 0 min, no time on)
Carlton v Collingwood, Ikon Park, 11am (4 x25 min, no time on)
Sydney v Brisbane, Tramway Oval (Moore Park), 12pm (4 x 25min, no time on)
St Kilda v Melbourne, RSEA Park, 4pm (6 x 25 min, no time on)
Fremantle v Adelaide, Victor George Kailis Oval (Cockburn), 6.30pm (6 x 25 min, no time on)
West Coast v Port Adelaide, Mineral Resources Park (Perth) 7.40pm (4 x 28 min, 2 x 20 min, no time on)
OFFICIAL PRACTICE MATCHES (all times AEDT)
Thursday March 2
Hawthorn v Collingwood, UTAS Stadium, 5.10pm
Fremantle v Port Adelaide, Fremantle Oval, 7.10pm
Brisbane v Geelong, Brighton Homes Arena, 8.10pm
Friday March 3
St Kilda v Essendon, RSEA Park, 4.10pm
Sydney v Carlton, Blacktown International Sports Park, 7.10pm
West Coast v Adelaide, Mineral Resources Park (Perth) 7.40pm
Saturday March 4
GWS Giants v Gold Coast, Blacktown International Sports Park, 12.10pm
Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne, Ikon Park, 1.10pm
Melbourne v Richmond, Casey Fields, 4.10pm
