AFL Unveils Complete Pre-Season Schedule
The Australian Football League (AFL) has announced the complete schedule for its pre-season activities, which include a series of unofficial match simulations followed by the official AAMI Community Series. These events are designed to prepare clubs for the upcoming season, with all matches scheduled for live broadcast across various platforms.
Pre-Season Match Simulations
Each AFL club is scheduled to participate in an unofficial match simulation, broadcast live on Fox Footy, Kayo Sports, and Foxtel. These simulations, taking place between the AFL Origin clash in Perth and the commencement of the AAMI Community Series, will feature varying timings and game situations.
For instance, the Melbourne versus North Melbourne simulation is set for four 25-minute quarters, with an additional two minutes of 'scenario' training appended to the end of the third and fourth quarters. Official statistics will not be provided for these match simulations, although full match highlights and detailed reports will be available on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App. For the Essendon v Richmond match, fans are required to register to attend.
Match Simulation Schedule:- Monday, February 16
- Hawthorn v Geelong Cats, Kennedy Community Centre, 3:15 PM AEDT (4 x 30-minute quarters, no time on)
- Wednesday, February 18
- Brisbane v Carlton, Brighton Homes Arena, 6:00 PM AEDT (4 x 30-minute quarters, no time on, extended bench)
- Thursday, February 19
- Western Bulldogs v Sydney, Mission Whitten Oval, 2:00 PM AEDT (4 x 30-minute quarters, no time-on)
- Gold Coast v St Kilda, People First Stadium, 7:45 PM AEDT (4 x 20-minute quarters, plus time on)
- Friday, February 20
- Essendon v Richmond, NEC Hangar, 10:30 AM AEDT (4 x 30-minute quarters, no time-on; fan registration required)
- Collingwood v GWS Giants, La Trobe University Sports Park (Bundoora), 11:00 AM AEDT (4 x 25-minute quarters, no time-on)
- Melbourne v North Melbourne, Casey Fields, 4:30 PM AEDT (4 x 25-minute quarters, no time-on + 2-minute scenarios at end of Q3 and Q4)
- Port Adelaide v Adelaide, Alberton Oval, 6:00 PM AEDT (4 x 20-minute quarters, plus time on)
- Saturday, February 21
- Fremantle v West Coast Eagles, Victor George Kailis Oval, 12:00 PM AEDT (4 x 25-minute quarters, no time-on)
AAMI Community Series
The AAMI Community Series represents the official phase of pre-season practice games, scheduled to run from Wednesday, February 25, to Sunday, March 1. These matches will adhere to premiership season timings and will not include an interchange cap.
Clubs will be allowed to select extended squads of 30 players, consisting of 18 on the field, eight interchange players, and four emergencies. All matches in the AAMI Community Series will be broadcast live on Foxtel and Kayo.
AAMI Community Series Schedule:- Wednesday, February 25
- Carlton v Geelong, Ikon Park, 7:10 PM AEDT
- Thursday, February 26
- Sydney v GWS, Henson Park, 4:10 PM AEDT
- Brisbane v Gold Coast, Brighton Homes Arena, 7:10 PM AEDT
- Friday, February 27
- Melbourne v Richmond, Mars Stadium, 4:10 PM AEDT
- Western Bulldogs v Hawthorn, Mission Whitten Oval, 7:10 PM AEDT
- Saturday, February 28
- St Kilda v Essendon, Mars Stadium, 3:10 PM AEDT
- Fremantle v Adelaide, Rushton Park, 6:10 PM AEDT
- Sunday, March 1
- North Melbourne v Collingwood, Mars Stadium, 3:10 PM AEDT
- West Coast v Port Adelaide, Mineral Resources Park, 6:10 PM AEDT