COUNTRY areas will take a bigger seat at the table in the 2025 Smithy’s VFL fixture, with Beaconsfield, Wonthaggi and Albury all hosting matches, while a new Melbourne venue will also make its debut.
Richmond, which is unlikely to play a home match this season due to redevelopment works at the Swinburne Centre, will be the road warriors with at least three games at their old home-away-from-home at Holm Park, including two in the first three weeks.
Port Melbourne will also play part in the roadshow under high-profile new coach Brendan McCartney, assistant James Hird and superstar recruit Dyson Heppell.
The Borough have been named as the Box Hill Hawks’ third guest to Wonthaggi on the Anzac Day weekend and will also journey to Albury to take on the GWS Giants in May in the city’s first VFL match since North Melbourne’s involvement in the Murray Kangaroos concept in 2002.
And this year’s AAMI State game against the SANFL will also go rural, set down for the Barossa town of Tanunda in the twilight timeslot on Gather Round, hopefully attracting a large number of the crowd attending the North Melbourne vs Gold Coast Suns AFL match in nearby Lyndoch.
Once again, the seven standalone clubs have been given 10 home games in their 18 matches across the 21-round season. The three aligned clubs will get nine home games, although Casey received a 10th with Richmond’s fixture being moved there.
The AFL reserves teams have eight home games, with Essendon picking up a ninth for the same reason.
There has been just one AFL curtain raiser scheduled for Melbourne in the first 13 rounds when the Western Bulldogs play Richmond at Marvel Stadium, but several have been pencilled in for Gold Coast’s People First Stadium, while Sydney is hoping to play a couple at the SCG.
Overall, 11 AFL double-headers have been set down in the first 13 rounds, with 28 VFL/W double headers also in the first two-thirds of the fixture released earlier this week. More can expect to be added when the last eight round are revealed.
Once again the seven standalone clubs have been split into two distinct groups for return match-ups, with Grand Finalists Werribee and Southport again joined by Williamstown in one group, while Frankston – who last year broke a 16-year finals drought – is in the other group with Port Melbourne, Coburg and Northern Bullants.
The two Grand Final rematches between the Tigers and Sharks have been locked in for Round 1 at Fankhauser Reserve and Round 20 at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval, with Werribee to unfurl its first premiership flag in 31 years against Footscray in Round 3.
The season kicks off under the Friday night lights at IKON Park on March 21 when Carlton takes on the Box Hill Hawks, followed by another Queensland feature day on March 22 when Brisbane Lions host Port Melbourne and Southport welcomes Werribee, with Beaconsfield coming to life for Richmond and Coburg on Sunday.
Fixture rating system explained
Using a system rating the fixtures of each team whereby a trip to reigning premier Werribee is the hardest and a home game against bottom club Northern Bullants the easiest – with double points for interstate trips.
The rating system explained below awarded one point per 2024 ladder position to teams playing interstate; two to teams playing away or at a neutral venue against teams from their own state; three to clubs playing at home against same state opposition or at a neutral venue against an interstate opponent; and four to teams hosting an interstate opponent on their home ground.
Away vs Interstate team = 1 per ladder position difference
Away/neutral vs Same state team = 2 per ladder position difference
Neutral interstate vs Home state team= 2 per ladder position difference
Home vs Same state team = 3 per ladder position difference
Neutral home state vs Interstate team = 3 per ladder position difference
Home vs Interstate team = 4 per ladder position difference
For example, a NSW or Queensland team travelling to premier Werribee was the hardest match-up and earned one point, while a NSW or Queensland team hosting wooden spooner Northern Bullants earned 84 points (4x21) as the nominally easiest game.
A “single-figure” fixture, as mentioned several times below, is a match that attracted less than 10 points under this scale.
The club with the lowest points tally was assessed as having the most difficult fixture.
Using this system, Richmond has ended up with the most challenging fixture this year, due to having no home ground. Williamstown, Sandringham, Box Hill Hawks and the GWS Giants make up the top five in terms of fixture difficulty.
Meanwhile the Gold Coast Suns, Frankston, Port Melbourne, Sydney Swans and Southport Sharks fall at the favourable end of the scale.
Here is a full analysis of the fixture for your club:
Last Season: 7th (12 wins-7 losses)
Fixture: Car (a), NM (h), bye, Gee (a), PM (n), Ric (h), Wer (a), GC (a), BL (h), Col (h), Fra (h), Cob (a), bye, NM (a), San (h), Ess (h), Wil (a), bye, Sou (a), Foo (h), Cas (a)
Plays Twice: North Melbourne
Doesn’t Play: GWS Giants, Northern Bullants, Sydney Swans
Interstate Trips: Queensland 2
VFLW double headers: R5 vs PM (Wonthaggi); R6 vs Ric/Cas (BHCO); R9 vs BL/WB (BHCO)
Summary: Two trips to Queensland gives fans the chance to grab some winter sun, while a run of five home games in seven weeks is balanced by consecutive trips to recent premiers Werribee and Gold Coast. The Hawks will also be challenged by visits to Geelong, Williamstown and Casey, although they have won nine straight against the Cats. Will be confident of extending their three longest winning streaks – Frankston, Sandringham and Coburg – facing all of those at home. They won’t play the Northern Bullants for the second year in a row but get two games against a North Melbourne team they haven’t lost to since 2019. The annual Wonthaggi game falls on the Anzac weekend against Port Melbourne. The last four games shape as a possible banana peel. Only four single-figure games and just one worth more than 50 points.
Difficulty Score: 443 (4th hardest)
Last Season: 4th (14-7)
Coach: Ben Hudson (3rd season, 28-13)
Fixture: PM (h), bye, Ric (n), Col (h), San (a), GC (h), NM (a), bye, Box (a), Ess (h), Wil (h), GWS (h), Gee (a), bye, Sou (h), Car (a), Foo (h), GC (a), Cob (a), Cas (h), Fra (a)
Plays Twice: Gold Coast Suns
Doesn’t Play: Northern Bullants, Sydney Swans, Werribee
Interstate Trips: Victoria 8
VFLW double headers: R5 San v BL/Cas (RSEA); R8 Box v BL/WB (BHCO)
Summary: There are seven teams the Lions have not lost to since joining the VFL, and they don’t get to play two of them – Northern Bullants and Sydney. Meanwhile, they do, of course, have two QClashes against a Suns team they haven’t beaten in five outings. The trade-off is a second year in a row without a home and away game against the team that ended their past two campaigns in premiers Werribee. Lions fans from Gippsland get see a game at Beaconsfield in Round 3. A run of four home games in five matches in the second half of the season gives them a chance to make their move. Three are three away games in the last four, but they will be confident of handling those. Four single-figure matches and 11 matches that scored 20 or less, but four worth 50+.
Difficulty Score: 503 (11th hardest)
Last Season: 19th (4-14)
Fixture: Box (h), bye, Sou (h), NM (a), Gee (h), Cob (a), San (h), Syd (a), Wil (h), bye, Ess (a), NB (a), NM (h), PM (a), Col (a), BL (h), Cas (a), bye, Fra (a), GC (h), Foo (a)
Plays Twice: North Melbourne
Doesn’t Play: GWS Giants, Richmond, Werribee
Interstate Trips: NSW 1
AFL double headers: R8 v Syd (SCG)
VFLW double headers: R4 v NM (Arden)
Summary: Two home games and two byes provides a stilted start to the season. The Round 1 match will be the Blues’ first date with Box Hill since their maiden win over the Hawks in April 2022, while Round 3 sees them take on a Southport outfit they have yet to beat. The Blues are at home for three of their first four, avoid reigning premier Werribee and only have one interstate trip, to face Sydney in Round 8, but a run of six away games in eight matches from Rounds 11-19 will be tough to overcome, as will be the five tough fixtures to finish. Only two single-figure games and none rated 50+, but seven that score between 13 and 22 points.
Difficulty Score: 466 (8th hardest)
Last Season: 17th (5-13)
Fixture: NM (h), GC (h), Gee (a), GWS (h), Ric (h), bye, Foo (a), Sou (h), NB (a), Syd (a), Col (a), Ess (h), bye, GC (a), Cob (h), Wer (a), Car (h), San (h) bye, BL (a), Box (h)
Plays Twice: Gold Coast Suns
Doesn’t Play: Frankston, Port Melbourne, Williamstown
Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Queensland 2
AFL double headers: R3 Gee v Cas/Mel (GMHBA); R10 Syd v Cas/Ade (Tram/SCG)
VFLW double headers: R4 v GWS/Col (Casey); R7 v Foo/WB (Whitten); R8 v Sou/Ess (Casey); R9 v NB/Dar (Genis); R12 v Ess/Wil (Casey)
Summary: Two home games to kick things off for the Demons as they aim to bounce back from a tough 2024. They also play four of the first five at Casey Fields due to the unavailability of the Swinburne Centre for the Anzac Day Eve clash against Richmond. The fixture is littered with challenges such as three interstate trips, one of which is sandwiched in the middle of a run of three away games in a row. For the first time the traditional King’s Birthday weekend clash with Collingwood is a Magpies’ home game and they won’t see much standalone action, having no dates with the Dolphins, Borough or Seagulls. 2023 premier Gold Coast is expected to bounce back, and the Demons play the Suns twice. Although their last three away games are Suns, Werribee and Brisbane Lions, they have a good chance to finish strongly with four home games in the last six, three of which come against sides who didn’t play finals in 2024). Five single-figure matches and three worth 50+.
Difficulty Score: 502 (10th hardest)
Last Season: 18th (5-13)
Fixture: Ric (n), Sou (a), Col (h), Wil (a), bye, Car (h), Fra (a), NB (h), Syd (h), GC (a), Foo (h), Box (h), PM (a), Fra (h), Cas (a), bye, Wer (h), NB (a), BL (h), PM (h)
Plays Twice: Frankston, Northern Bullants, Port Melbourne
Doesn’t Play: Essendon, Geelong, GWS Giants, North Melbourne, Sandringham
Interstate Trips: Queensland 2
AFL double headers: R10 GWS v Cob/Fre (PFS)
VFLW double headers: R13 PM v Cob/Col (ETU)
Summary: An interesting fixture for the Lions. In the bottom half of the difficulty stakes with return matches against the Dolphins, Bullants and Borough once again, but only one of the five teams they don’t play (Geelong) having been finalists last year. They miss the Giants and Zebras for the second year in a row, but they also avoid a team they have never beaten in North Melbourne. The season starts with a journey to Beaconsfield to meet Richmond and flight to Southport as one of two trips to Queensland. Other away games include the fortresses Williamstown, Frankston, Gold Coast and Casey Demons. Three home games in the last four weeks helps, but none of those will be easy. Four single-figure and four 50+ match-ups.
Difficulty Score: 520 (15th hardest)
Last Season: 20th (4-14)
Fixture: Syd (h), bye, Cob (a), BL (a), Ess (h), Foo (h), NB (a), GWS (h), NB (a), GWS (h), NM (h), Box (a), Cas (h), bye, San (h), Sou (a), Car (h), GC (a), Gee (a), Fra (a), Wil (a), bye, PM (a)
Plays Twice: Nil
Doesn’t Play: Richmond, Werribee
Interstate Trips: Queensland 3
VFLW double headers: R5 v Ess (WH); R6 Col v Foo/WB (VP); R7 v NB/Dar (Genis); R8 v GWS/Box (VP); R9 v NM (VP)
Summary: The fairest fixture of all clubs, with no double-up matches and only two teams they don’t play – interestingly both Tiger packs, meaning no meeting with premier Werribee. The Magpies host the King’s Birthday clash against Casey Demons for the first time but copped the Queensland travel trifecta. Kicking off at home against Sydney is one they would be pencilling in, while six home games in eight matches from Rounds 5-13 gives them an opportunity to swoop. But they must make that count given the five consecutive away game to end the campaign, which includes trips to Gold Coast, Geelong, Frankston, Williamstown and Port Melbourne Five of their six home games until Round 13 are at Victoria Park and fans will love five VFLW double headers in a row from Rounds 5-9. Four single-figure matches and four worth 50+.
Difficulty Score: 516 (equal 13th hardest)
Last Season: 11th (9-9)
Fixture: Wil (h), Wer (h), bye, PM (a), Col (a), NM (h), Syd (h), bye, Ric (h), BL (a), Car (h), Cas (a), Fra (a), bye, GC (h), Box (a), GWS (h), Foo (h), Syd (a), Gee (a), San (a)
Plays Twice: Sydney Swans
Doesn’t Play: Coburg, Northern Bullants, Southport
Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Queensland 1
VFLW double headers: R4 v PM (ETU); R5 v Col (WH); R7 v Syd/Car (WH); R12 Cas v Ess/Wil (Cas)
Summary: The Bombers can make or break their season with consecutive NEC Hangar games against Williamstown and Werribee to start the season which they can hit hard before two weeks off. The focus must be on a flying start given the past three campaigns have been over by mid-season. Three away games in four weeks mid-season include a Queensland flight and tough trips to Casey and Frankston. Three on the road to Sydney, Geelong and Sandringham to finish will challenge their regular late swoop. Picked up a ninth home game due to the Swinburne Centre redevelopment, with the Round 9 clash with Richmond to be played at Windy Hill. They miss Coburg, Northern Bullants and Southport, but this fixture is comfortably easier than last year’s and they will be confident of honouring their late coach Dale Tapping as best as possible. Three single-figure and three 50+ matches.
Difficulty Score: 493 (9th hardest)
Last Season: 3rd (15-4-1)
Fixture: NB (h), bye, Wer (a), San (h), GWS (a), Col (a), Cas (h), Wil (a), Gee (h), bye, Cob (a), Fra (a), Ric (n), Syd (a), NM (h), bye, BL (a), Ess (a), GWS (h), Box (a), Car (h)
Plays Twice: GWS Giants
Doesn’t Play: Gold Coast Suns, Port Melbourne, Southport Sharks
Interstate Trips: NSW 2, Queensland 1
AFL double headers: R13 v Ric (Marvel)
VFLW double headers: R4 v San/Wil (Whitten); R6 v Col (VP); R7 v Cas (Whitten)
Summary: The Bulldogs should be delighted with this offering, avoiding the Suns and Southport for the second year in a row, although they might have liked a crack at avenging the preliminary final loss to the Sharks). The also play twice against a Giants team they boast a 4-1 record against. The trip to Frankston will hold no fears given they’ve never lost to the Dolphins and they are 5-1 from six trips to Sydney – where they go twice. Werribee, Williamstown and Box Hill away will be the testing material but they will expect to go 7-0 at Mission Whitten Oval with Geelong being the highest ranked team from 2024 to travel to the Kennel. Just two single-figure games, although there are six worth 12-16 points, and four worth 50 or more. They have the only Victorian AFL curtain raiser in the first 13 rounds, against Richmond on June 22.
Difficulty Score: 516 (equal 13th hardest)
Last Season: 11-9 (8th)
Fixture: bye, PM (a), Wil (a), Ric (h), NB (h), Wer (a), Cob (h), bye, Sou (a), San (h), Box (a), Foo (h), Ess (h), Cob (a), bye, PM (h), NB (a), Col (h), Car (h), NM (a), BL (h)
Plays Twice: Coburg, Northern Bullants, Port Melbourne
Doesn’t Play: Casey Demons, Geelong, Gold Coast Suns, GWS Giants, Sydney Swans
Interstate Trips: Queensland 1
VFLW double headers: Nil
Summary: A dream fixture for the Dolphins as they aim to back up last year’s drought-breaking finals appearances. Challenging road trips to Port Melbourne and Williamstown before Kinetic Stadium’s redevelopment is complete, but they will start favourites in three of their next four. Just one interstate trip, which is back to the scene of where the 2024 golden run ended, and their 10 home games feature only three finalists from last year. Consecutive road trips to Williamstown, Werribee, Southport and Box Hill are tough but they could easily be on a seven-game winning run before hosting Brisbane Lions in Round 21. Five of their first six home games are under lights, including a Thursday night clash on Anzac Day Eve. Three single-figure matches among just six scoring less than 30 points, and four worth 50 or more.
Difficulty Score: 594 (20th hardest)
Last Season: 5th (12-7-1)
Fixture: San (a), NB (h), Cas (h), Box (h), Car (a), bye, GWS (h), PM (a), Foo (a), Wil (a), GC (h), Wer (a), BL (h), bye, Ric (a), GWS (a), Col (h), NM (a), bye, Ess (h), Syd (a)
Plays Twice: GWS Giants
Doesn’t Play: Coburg, Frankston, Southport Sharks
Interstate Trips: NSW 2
AFL double headers: R3 v Cas/Mel (GMHBA); R7 v GWS (GMHBA); R11 v GC (GMHBA)
VFLW double headers: R8 v PM (ETU); R10 Wil v Gee/Dar (WB); R12 v Wer/NM (AAO)
Summary: The Cats have a golden opportunity to make a flying start, opening at a venue where they haven’t lost for 10 years before three very winnable fixtures at the Cattery. That’s followed by a visit to IKON Park, where they won by 101 points last season prior to another home game. They will, though, want to be in good shape at that stage with seven of the next 10 being on the road, including trips to Footscray, Williamstown, Werribee and GWS and two of the home matches against flag fancies Gold Coast and Brisbane Lions. Off to Sydney in Round 21, but the Swans haven’t beaten them in the modern era – all of which have been played in the Harbour City. They miss Coburg and Frankston but avoid a Southport team they haven’t beaten. Just two single-figure matches and four that rate as 50+.
Difficulty Score: 527 (16th hardest)
Last Season: 9th (10-7-2)
Fixture: Cas (a), NB (h), Sou (a), Syd (h), BL (a), bye, Box (h), San (a), Cob (h), Gee (a), bye, GWS (a), Cas (h), Ess (a), Col (h), PM (a), BL (h), Ric (h), Car (a), GWS (h)
Plays Twice: Brisbane Lions, Casey Demons, GWS Giants
Doesn’t Play: Footscray Bulldogs, Frankston, North Melbourne, Werribee, Williamstown
Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Victoria 6
AFL double headers: R3 v NB/Ade (PFS); R5 v Syd (PFS); R10 v Cob/Fre (PFS); R11 v Gee (GMHBA)
VFLW double headers: Nil
Summary: The hunt for a second flag in three years is definitely on, with the Suns handed the easiest fixture in the competition on these metrics. Two of their three double ups are against non-finalists, and they don’t play four of last year’s top eight including two preliminary finalists and the Frankston team that ended their title defence in stunning fashion last September. Their only instance of consecutive away games is split with a bye and they don’t leave Queensland for almost two months early on. They host four of last year’s bottom five and three of their last four games are at People First Stadium, meaning they will be confident of being on a roll as September approaches. Three single-figure games and a whopping six worth more than 50 points.
Difficulty Score: 598 (21st hardest)
Last Season: 14th (8-10)
Fixture: bye, Wil (h), San (h), Cas (a), Foo (h), Syd (a), Gee (a), Col (a), PM (n), Ric (h), NB (h), BL (a), GC (h), bye, Wer (a), Gee (h), Ess (a), Syd (h), Foo (a), bye, GC (a)
Plays Twice: Footscray Bulldogs, Geelong Cats, Gold Coast Suns, Sydney Swans
Doesn’t Play: Box Hill Hawks, Carlton, Coburg, Frankston, North Melbourne, Southport Sharks
Interstate Trips: Queensland 1, Victoria 6
AFL double headers: R6 v Syd (SCG); R7 v Gee (GMHBA); R10 v Ric (Engie)
VFLW double headers: R4 Cas v GWS/Col (Casey); R8 Col v GWS/Box (VP)
Summary: Having three of the first four at home looks promising, but none of them shape as easy before four consecutive road trips that culminates in the first VFL game in Albury-Wodonga in 23 years. It’s the local interleague weekend so if they promote it right, they should attract a good crowd of footy hungry fans. Three of the next four are at home if the Giants need to get back on track, but two dates with Gold Coast and further trips to Brisbane, Werribee, Essendon and Footscray in the run home will take some negotiating. Only one game at Engie Stadium by Round 13, with five at Blacktown. A tricky five single-figure outings and only one match worth more than 50.
Difficulty Score: 447 (5th hardest)
Last Season: 15th (8-10)
Fixture: Cas (a), Box (a), Syd (h), Car (h), bye, Ess (a), BL (h), Ric (h), Col (a), bye, Wer (a), PM (h), Car (a), Box (h), Foo (a), bye, Syd (a), Gee (h), San (a), Fra (h), Sou (a)
Plays Twice: Box Hill Hawks, Carlton, Sydney Swans
Doesn’t Play: Coburg, Gold Coast Suns, GWS Giants, Northern Bullants, Williamstown
Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Queensland 1
VFLW double headers: R4 v Car (Arden); R9 v Col (VP)
Summary: A mixed fixture that leans to the difficult side for the Kangaroos, starting with perilous trips to Casey, who they beat for the first time last year, and Box Hill, who they have lost five time in a row against. Four of the next five at Arden Street Oval gives them a chance to string a few together and they won’t mind missing the Suns again, while also avoiding Williamstown. They miss Coburg, who they have not lost to, and the Bullants and must play the Hawks twice. Bonanza of Good Friday footy with VFLW and VFL at Arden Street before fans hop off to Marvel for the AFL. Won’t want to leave finals qualification until the last minute, with the Shark Tank looming in Round 21. Three single-figure games and two worth 50+, both in the first four matches.
Difficulty Score: 464 (7th hardest)
Last Season: 21st (2-16)
Fixture: Foo (a), Gee (a), GC (a), bye, Fra (a), PM (h), Col (h), Cob (a), Cas (h), Sou (n), GWS (a), Car (h), bye, Ric (h), Syd (a), Wil (h), Fra (h), Cob (h), PM (a), bye, Wer (h)
Plays Twice: Coburg, Frankston, Port Melbourne (2nd year in a row for all) (top 10 one, bottom 11 two)
Doesn’t Play: Box Hill Hawks, Brisbane Lions, Essendon, North Melbourne, Sandringham
Interstate Trips: NSW 2, Queensland 1
AFL double headers: R3 GC v NB/Ade (PFS)
VFLW double headers: R6 NB/Dar v PM (Genis); R7 NB/Dar v Col (Genis); R9 NB/Dar v Cas (Genis); R10 NB/Dar v Sou/Gee (RMIT)
Summary: A nasty start to the year for the Bullants, who have had their most productive off-season since returning to standalone status. Consecutive away games against finalists Footscray, Geelong, Gold Coast and, after two byes, Frankston means they can’t feel their way into the season. That does, though, mean that once Genis Steel Oval comes back on line in May they will have 10 of their last 14 at home, although one of those is at RMIT University Oval, Bundoora against Southport courtesy of a new club partnership with the university. The Darebin alignment continues to gather steam with four double headers in the first 13 rounds. Two Battles of Bell Street again and repeat return matches with the Dolphins and Borough. They avoid Box Hill and Brisbane Lions for the second year in a row among five missed opponents. Four single-figure matches and five nominally easier 50+ clashes.
Difficulty Score: 505 (12th hardest)
Last Season: 16th (6-12)
Fixture: BL (a), Fra (h), bye, Ess (h), Box (n), NB (a), Sou (a), Gee (h), GWS (n), Wer (h), bye, NM (a), Cob (h), Car (h), Wil (h), Fra (a), GC (h), bye, NB (h), Cob (a), Col (h)
Plays Twice: Coburg, Frankston, Northern Bullants
Doesn’t Play: Casey Demons, Footscray Bulldogs, Richmond, Sandringham, Sydney Swans
Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Queensland 2
VFLW double headers: R4 v Ess (ETU); R5 v Box (Wonthaggi); R6 v NB/Dar (Genis); R8 v Gee (ETU); R10 v Wer/NM (ETU); R13 v Cob/Col (ETU)
Summary: The Borough has been entrusted with helping to promote the competition under Brendan McCartney, James Hird and Dyson Heppell, with games scheduled in both Wonthaggi and Albury. Book up the motels and enjoy a couple of weekends away before it gets too cold! There are also two trips to Queensland, including a third Round 1 flight in four seasons, but the farthest trip after Round 9 is to Frankston. If the All-Star coaching box can get their team through those first nine weeks (and the squad is good enough to do so), things open up with seven of the last 10 at home, most of which they will be favoured to win. Three single-figures and four 50+ games in the second half of the year.
Difficulty Score: 549 (19th hardest)
Last Season: 10th (10-9)
Fixture: Cob (n), San (a), BL (n), Fra (a), Cas (a), Box (a), bye, NM (a), Ess (a), GWS (a), Syd (n), bye, Foo (n), NB (a), Gee (h), Sou (h), bye, Wer (a), GC (a), San (h), Wil (a)
Plays Twice: Sandringham
Doesn’t Play: Carlton, Collingwood, Port Melbourne
Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Queensland 1
AFL double headers: R10 v GWS (Engie); R13 v Foo/WB (Marvel)
VFLW double headers: R6 Box v Ric/Cas (BHCO)
Summary: With the Swinburne Centre undergoing redevelopment, it’s a baptism of fire for new coach Jake Batchelor. They resurrect their home away from home at Holm Park Recreation Reserve with three trips to Beaconsfield in the first 13 rounds, and they have also given up home matches to Essendon and Casey so far. They do get an AFL curtain-raiser at Marvel Stadium against Footscray that means they dodge Mission Whitten Oval. Two games against Batchelor’s old team in Sandringham and no clashes with 2024 bottom-six teams Carlton, Collingwood and Port Melbourne means this is the hardest fixture in the VFL by some distance. Four single-figure games, another six scoring 10-19 and none worth more than 42. But Footscray handled the same situation well a couple of years ago, so the Tigers will use that as an example
Difficulty Score: 371 (hardest)
Last Season: 12th (8-9-1)
Fixture: Gee (h), Ric (h), GWS (a), Foo (a), BL (h), bye; Car (a), Wer (h), GC (h), Fra (a), bye, Sou (h), Col (a), Wil (a), Box (a), Syd (h), bye, Cas (a), NM (h), Ric (a), Ess (h)
Plays Twice: Richmond
Doesn’t Play: Coburg, Northern Bullants, Port Melbourne
Interstate Trips: NSW 1
VFLW double headers: R4 Foo/WB v San/Wil (Whitten); R5 v BL/Cas (RSEA); R8 v Wer/Wil (WSTBBO)
Summary: The Zebras year is dotted with challenges. Two games against former coach Jake Batchelor’s Richmond, while there are no matches against bottom-six trio Coburg, Bullants and Port Melbourne. Two home games to kick off, although the first is against a Geelong team they haven’t beaten by the bay in 10 years. Only one interstate trip, and they’ve never rolled GWS. Their home games include four of last year’s top five and two other finalists, plus road trips to the fortresses of Footscray, Frankston (admittedly where they nailed a freak comeback last year), Williamstown, Box Hill and Casey. Three away games in a row from Rounds 13-15 raises alarm bells, but if they’re still alive, the last three games are all winnable. Three worth less than 10 points, another six scoring under 20 and only one over 50.
Difficulty Score: 432 (3rd hardest)
Last Season: 2nd (15-7)
Fixture: Wer (h), Cob (h), Car (a), GC (h), bye, Wil (a), PM (h), Cas (a), Fra (h), NB (n), bye, San (a), Syd (h), Col (h), BL (a), Ric (a), bye, Wil (h), Box (h), Wer (a), NM (h)
Plays Twice: Werribee, Williamstown
Doesn’t Play: Essendon, Footscray Bulldogs, Geelong Cats, GWS Giants
Interstate Trips: Victoria 7
VFLW double headers: R6 Wil v Sou/Gee (DSV); R8 Cas v Sou/Ess (Casey); R10 NB/Dar v Sou/Gee (RMIT)
Summary: A Grand Final rematch at the Shark Tank in Round 1 is a ripping game to kick off the year. The Sharks can get their small modicum of satisfaction and then go on to grab a flying start with three home games in the first four. They will again start favourite in all 10 of their home games, despite an even 5-5 split of finalists/non-finalists from last year. A couple of challenges on the road, with trips to Werribee, Williamstown, Casey and Brisbane, as well as Sandringham where they lost last year. They will also be part of introducing a new venue to the VFL when they play the Bullants at Bundoora’s RMIT University Oval in Round 10. Three home games in four to finish the year should build them up nicely for another finals campaign. Four single-figure games and five scoring more than 50 points.
Difficulty Score: 537 (17th hardest)
Last Season: 13th (8-9-1)
Fixture: Col (a), bye, NM (a), Wer (h), GC (a), GWS (h), Ess (a), Car (h), Cob (a), Cas (h), Ric (n), bye, Sou (a), Foo (h), NB (h), Sam (a), NM (h), GWS (a), Ess (h), bye, Gee (h)
Plays Twice: Essendon, GWS Giants, North Melbourne
Doesn’t Play: Box Hill Hawks, Brisbane Lions, Frankston, Port Melbourne, Williamstown
Interstate Trips: Queensland 2, Victoria 6
AFL double headers: R5 v GC (PFS); R6 v GWS (SCG); R8 v Car (SCG); R10 Syd v Cas/Ade (Tram/SCG)
VFLW double headers: R7 Ess v Syd/Car (WH)
Summary: Hard to see any complaints about this fixture from the Swans. They open with two winnable trips to Melbourne and a couple of byes, before a challenging little stint that includes home games against Werribee and GWS and a trip to the Gold Coast, who they haven’t beaten since the NEAFL days. Great to see two SCG games in three weeks among their four home games in the first 13 rounds. The Swans will head to Beaconsfield to meet Richmond on the June long weekend, but the timeslot means fans won’t be able to attend both it and the AFL game at the MCG two hours later. Five of the last seven games at home and they don’t leave NSW after Round 16. Three single-figure matches and four worth 50+.
Difficulty Score: 545 (18th hardest)
Last Season: Premiers (18-3)
Fixture: Sou (a), Ess (a), Foo (h), Syd (a), Wil (h), Fra (h), Box (h), San (a), bye, PM (a), NM (h), Gee (h), Wil (a), bye, GWS (h), Cas (h), Cob (a), Ric (h), bye, Sou (h), NB (a)
Plays Twice: Southport Sharks, Williamstown
Doesn’t Play: Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Collingwood, Gold Coast Suns
Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Queensland 1
VFLW double headers: R8 San v Wer/Wil (WSTBBO); R10 PM v Wer/NM (ETU); R12 Wer/NM v Gee (AAO); R13 Wil v Wer/Ess (DSV)
Summary: A tougher fixture than last year for the reigning premiers, with an away Grand Final rematch to kick things off followed by a trip to the NEC Hangar). Four of the next five are at home, with their second and last interstate trip being to Sydney in Round 4. As with last year, they play the Sharks and Seagulls twice and miss the Brisbane Lions in the home and away season again, while they also don’t get to play 2024 stragglers Carlton and Collingwood. Only one of their 10 home games comes against a bottom six opponent and they will give themselves every chance of heading to the finals on a six-game winning run. Three single-figure matches and only two scoring more than 50.
Difficulty Score: 454 (6th hardest)
Last Season: 6th (13-8)
Fixture: Ess (a), GWS (a), Fra (h), Cob (h), Wer (a), Sou (h), bye, Foo (h), Car (a), Gee (h), BL (a), bye, Wer (h), San (h), PM (a), NB (a), Box (h), Sou (a), Col (h), bye, Ric (h)
Plays Twice: Southport Sharks, Werribee
Doesn’t Play: Casey Demons, Gold Coast Suns, North Melbourne, Sydney Swans
Interstate Trips: Queensland 2
VFLW double headers: R6 v Sou/Gee (DSV); R10 v Gee/WB (DSV); R13 v Wer/Ess (DSV)
Summary: Justin Plapp’s men will need to be on the ball all season with the second toughest fixture staring them in the face. A league high-six single-figure games, balanced by just two at 50+. The season starts with trips to Essendon and GWS before they will need to make their move with four home games in five matches alongside the Anzac Day clash at Werribee. Three flights await, as well as return games against the Southport and Werribee. There are no games against last year’s non-finalists Casey, North Melbourne and Sydney, although skipping Gold Coast might be a good thing. Should bounce out of the trip to Southport with two home games to finish where they will be likely favourites. On the road for the Johnson-Callahan Cup for the second year in a row.
Difficulty Score: 427 (2nd hardest)
