Here comes the AFL Pre-Season, so let’s get around it.
Interest is quickly reaching those familiar overwhelming levels; we’ve been starved of Men’s on-ground action since the end of September and we’re brimming with anticipation. There are faces in new places and rigs in career-best shape.
The SuperCoach and Fantasy heads are all-in on the pre-season information filtering through, plus the learnings of what practice matches will reveal. And we understand that.
Just quietly, AFL administrators must be secretly smirking at what’s currently unfolding with the NRL’s CBA negotiations, which is threatening to come to a head as Rugby League’s Round 1 nears.
Thankfully, the AFL world can be vastly more focused on what’s happening out on the pitch, without any dark clouds in the form of strike action threats hanging over anyone’s head.
How to watch every AFL Pre-Season game
Every official practice match, the second week of action, will not only be broadcast on Foxtel and Kayo, but at-ground attendance will be free of charge. So get out to a game or two and use your voice.
Unofficial match simulations (All times AEDT)
16 of the 18 AFL clubs will take part in unofficial match simulations; the Western Bulldogs and GWS Giants have opted out.
Why are only 16 clubs doing match simulations?
This part of the fixture was made optional, after the League’s decision to add a week to the schedule – Gather Round (or ‘Magic Week’) in South Australia.
Due to the AFL’s additional round of matches in South Australia for Gather Round, participation in match-simulation was made optional for clubs.
Thursday, February 23
Geelong vs Hawthorn, GMHBA Stadium, 4pm AEDT
Four 20 minute periods
–The defending champs launch footy for 2023, our first look at the Cats
The premiers Geelong kick off footy and the AFL Pre-Season for 2023 and it’s particularly interesting because the club also had an active off-season; normally title-winning outfits are shipping out, feeling the salary cap squeeze, not making additions.
The Cats built strength on strength during the ‘silly season’; the beneficiaries of Gold Coast’s salary dump, scooping up former top 10 pick Jack Bowes plus pick seven in the Draft – which was turned into tough local midfield product Jhye Clark. It was frustrating to witness for fans of every rival club and it gives an ageing list more help as its regeneration challenge looms down the line.
It must also be added this is the first glimpse of the ‘life after Joel Selwood‘ Cats that we’ll get.
But how many stars does Geelong trot out for a ‘sim’? How good are some of these young ones coming through? We shall see how many cards Chris Scott plans to play face-up.
Gold Coast vs Essendon, Austworld Centre Oval (Carrara), 5pm AEDT
Six 25 minute periods
Friday, February 24
North Melbourne vs Richmond, Arden St, 10am AEDT
Four 25 minute periods and then also two 20 minute periods
Carlton vs Collingwood, Ikon Park, 11am AEDT
Four 25 minute periods
Sydney vs Brisbane, Tramway Oval (Moore Park), 12pm AEDT
Four 25 minute periods
St Kilda vs Melbourne, RSEA Park, 4pm AEDT
Six 25 minute periods
–Dees’ ‘big’ decision at a Saints homecoming of sorts
This will be the first look at a Men’s football match at Moorabin Oval (‘RSEA Park’) since the second stage of redevelopments was complete a year ago.
The Dees made off-season headlines, as 2021 Rising Star Luke Jackson got home to Western Australia. Melbourne replaced its ultra talented big with another, as Brodie Grundy comes in from Collingwood. Whether the club rolls out its big names for a simulation or not, fans are fascinated to see how Grundy will coexist with fellow ruckman superstar Max Gawn.
The 2021 premiers will be desperate to bounce back from last year’s flame out; expect a hungry side to display energy as soon as in this fixture.
Fremantle vs Adelaide, Victor George Kailis Oval (Cockburn), 6.30pm AEDT
Six 25 minute periods
West Coast vs Port Adelaide, Mineral Resources Park (Perth), 7.40pm AEDT
Four 28 minute periods, then two 20 minute periods
Official practice matches
All 18 clubs will play official AFL Pre-Season ‘praccies’; the format and length of these hit outs will mimic that of regular season games.
Thursday, March 2
Hawthorn vs Collingwood, UTAS Stadium, 5.10pm AEDT
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Fremantle vs Port Adelaide, Fremantle Oval, 7.10pm AEDT
–A battle of two emerging sides that can absolutely win the 2023 flag
Exiting Finals in straight sets is never great, so that will be fuelling Fremantle. Port Adelaide, meantime, cannot afford to have anything close to another 10-12 season, or there will be ramifications that begin with Ken Hinkley’s job.
So these two teams are firmly in the spotlight in 2023.
It may well be the first time we witness Jason Horne-Francis in teal, after his unceremonious departure from North Melbourne after just one season in the pros… though he didn’t exactly act like a pro as a Roo. So how will he look now he’s back in his home state?
The Dockers were another high profile club last October, bringing across home state heroes Luke Jackson and Jaeger O’Meara. It’s the top up this maturing list needed to transform into a genuine top four contender.
Jackson and O’Meara join Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong and Will Brodie in a what’s stupidly-strong midfield and we better stop there before having a heart-attack.
Brisbane vs Geelong, Brighton Homes Arena, 8.10pm AEDT
–A Prelim rematch at Brisbane’s brand new home base
It’s back to the AFLW’s Grand Final venue for the second-ever actual game of Aussie Rules. But for the first time it’ll be blokes doing battle at Springfield – a venue name of which the novelty still hasn’t warn off.
RELATED | Some quick FAQs about the AFLW Grand Final venue, SPRINGFIELD
Brisbane will be unveiling top Draft talent Will Ashcroft – who should’ve gone pick 1 if you ask some – along with one of the biggest names to be moved in the Trade Period, Josh Dunkley.
The Lions made it to Preliminary Final week – again – last season, but frankly fell short of expectations, finishing the regular season sixth on the ladder. They are smack bang in a premiership window and need to cash in. It’s all eyes on a Brisbane side all too aware of which outfit it was that ended their hopes and dreams last year. Let’s see how much emotion the Lions tip into this one, despite the fact it is a pre-season game.
Friday, March 3
St Kilda vs Essendon, RSEA Park, 4.10pm AEDT
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Sydney vs Carlton, Blacktown International Sports Park, 7.10pm AEDT
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West Coast vs Adelaide, Mineral Resources Park (Perth), 7.40pm AEDT
Saturday, March 4
GWS Giants vs Gold Coast, Blacktown International Sports Park, 12.10pm AEDT
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Western Bulldogs vs North Melbourne, Ikon Park, 1.10pm AEDT
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Melbourne vs Richmond, Casey Fields, 4.10pm AEDT
–The Tigers show off new stripes that could propel the side back into the hunt
We spoke about Melbourne above, but Richmond are another team that have fans rubbing their hands together.
Club champion Dustin Martin is reportedly in scorching AFL pre-season form, adding to the potency added in the Trade Period – former Giants Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto. Hopper and Taranto are seriously good players and people will look back and go, how did that happen(?), once they’re up to speed in yellow and black.
Those two hold the keys to Richmond’s succession plan, once Trent Cotchin, Dion Prestia and Dusty eventually ride off into the sunset.
If you’re also a rugby league fan, here’s our NRL Pre-Season guide.
