COLLINGWOOD and Richmond will face off in the first official pre-season game ahead of the start of the 2024 Toyota AFL Premiership Season, with the old rivals to meet at Ikon Park on Tuesday, February 27.
But footy fans won't have to wait that long for some on-field action, with club-organised match simulations - including what could be fiery crosstown clashes between the clubs from SA, WA, NSW and Queensland - to start on Wednesday February 21.
The AFL has today confirmed the official nine-match pre-season fixture for 2024, to be called the AFL Community Series, which will be played between February 27 and March 3 at venues around the country.
>> SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE FULL PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE
Clubs can also arrange optional match simulation sessions among themselves prior to the Community Series, with details of seven such hit-outs on February 21-24 also confirmed.
All games in the Community Series will be ticketed with free entry for members and kids. Tickets will go on sale in February.
All match simulation training sessions and the Community Series matches will be broadcast live on Fox Footy, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel.
The Community Series will start with the Magpies v Tigers clash at Ikon Park, the first official hit-out for new Richmond coach Adem Yze, before Carlton faces Melbourne at the same venue the following night (Wednesday, February 28) in a rematch of this year's thrilling semi-final.
Sydney v Brisbane and Greater Western Sydney v Gold Coast will be played on the Thursday while there are also two games on the Friday - Geelong v Essendon and Port Adelaide v Fremantle.
Adelaide v West Coast and Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs (in Launceston) will be played on the Saturday before the Community Series concludes with St Kilda playing North Melbourne on Sunday, March 3 at RSEA Park.
The League has also confirmed the modified rules for the Community Series, which include:
- Four quarters of 20 mins plus time on (as per AFL Premiership Season)
- Squad of 30 players, eight interchange and four emergencies. Minimum of four players on the interchange bench during the match at any time
- No interchange cap
- Full panel of umpires appointed by the AFL
The seven match simulation sessions confirmed so far will see the Pies play the Kangaroos, the Swans play the Giants, the Blues face the Cats, the Lions host the Suns, the Power take on the Crows at Alberton, the Eagles play the Dockers and the Saints play the Bombers.
The format of match simulation sessions, including the length of quarters and squad sizes, is determined by the clubs involved and will be announced in due course.
The 2024 Toyota AFL Premiership Season will begin on Thursday, March 7, with four games on March 7-9 as part of the new-look Opening Round.
All 18 clubs will play in Round One from Thursday, March 14 to Sunday, March 17.
Confirmed match simulations (live on Foxtel and Kayo)
Wednesday, February 21
North Melbourne v Collingwood, AIA Centre, 10am AEDT
Thursday, February 22
Sydney v Greater Western Sydney, Tramway Oval, 10am AEDT
Carlton v Geelong, Ikon Park, 11am AEDT
Brisbane v Gold Coast, Brighton Homes Arena, 5pm AEST
Friday, February 23
Western Bulldogs v Hawthorn, Whitten Oval, 11am AEDT
St Kilda v Essendon, RSEA Park, 2pm AEDT
Port Adelaide v Adelaide, Alberton Oval, 5pm ACDT
Saturday, February 24
West Coast v Fremantle, Mineral Resources Park, 4.45pm AWST
2024 AFL Community Series fixture (live on Fox Footy & Kayo)
Tuesday, February 27
Collingwood v Richmond, Ikon Park, 6.40pm AEDT
Wednesday, February 28
Carlton v Melbourne, Ikon Park, 6.40pm AEDT
Thursday, February 29
Sydney v Brisbane, Blacktown International Sportspark, 4.10pm AEDT
Greater Western Sydney v Gold Coast, Manuka Oval, 7.10pm AEDT
Friday, March 1
Geelong v Essendon, GMHBA Stadium, 5.10pm AEDT
Port Adelaide v Fremantle, Alberton Oval, 7.30pm ACDT
Saturday, March 2
Adelaide v West Coast, Hisense Stadium, 2.40pm ACDT
Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs, University of Tasmania Stadium, 6.10pm AEDT
Sunday, March 3
St Kilda v North Melbourne, RSEA Park, 2.10pm AEDT
