AS THE countdown to the milestone 10th NAB AFLW Season continues, the AFL has today announced the schedule for AFLW Practice Matches and Match Simulation Trainings.

Free to attend for all fans, Practice Matches will run across Saturday 2 August and Sunday 3 August, with Match Simulation Training taking place the week prior between Friday 25 July and Saturday 26 July.

The Practice Matches will be the first chance for fans to get a glimpse of their teams and new recruits ahead of the 2025 NAB AFLW Premiership Season which gets underway on Thursday 14 August when Carlton and Collingwood line up at IKON Park. 

Twenty-four players moved clubs during the 2024 AFLW Trade Period, while 60 players were selected at the first Telstra AFLW National Draft in December last year, which saw the Pies take midfielder Ash Centra with the number one pick.

Among the practice matches Hawthorn will go head-to-head with Richmond at IKON Park on Sunday 3 August, with their last encounter seeing Hawthorn secure victory in a high stakes match to claim the McClelland Trophy in 2024.

On the same day at Alberton Oval, Port Adelaide will line up against Collingwood, the same team Matilda Scholz soared over to take the 2024 Virgin AFLW Mark of the Year, while Melbourne and Adelaide – who have had many close battles over the years as foundation clubs – will put each other to the test earlier that morning.

Practice Matches will be live streamed on club websites.

AFL Executive General Manager of Football Operations Laura Kane said Practice Matches and Match Simulation Training provides clubs the chance to have a strong hit out before the season. 

“As anticipation builds towards the start of the AFLW’s 10th season, Practice Matches and Match Simulation Trainings provide clubs with an opportunity to test themselves against their competition ahead of the season officially getting underway on August 14,” Kane said.

“We know there’s an enormous amount of hard work and preparation that goes into every pre-season from across the board – players, coaches and staff – and we’re looking forward to seeing the teams in action for the first time this year. 

“Fans can attend the practice matches for free, so I’d encourage everyone to head along to connect with their new draftees, watch their favourite players and experience AFLW.”

Teams will be announced by the AFL at 5:30pm AEST the day before each Practice Match.

Practice Match Fixture:

Match Simulation Training facilitated by the clubs will take place between July 25-26, with the format, number of players, game length and number of breaks to be agreed upon by the competing teams.

Arrangements and public access for Match Simulation Training will be managed and communicated by each club.

Fans and media should refer to club websites in the days leading up to their Match Simulation Trainings and Practice Matches for further details regarding access and streaming.

Match Simulation Training Fixture: