THE rebel VFLW moves into a new window this year, with the season set to begin in a big way across the Easter weekend.
The competition returns to 12 teams this year, with the GWS Giants and Sydney Swans not taking part this season.
The Swans and Giants each played five matches during the first half of the 2024 season, winning nine between them.
The exit of the two NSW clubs means a return to the seeded fixture of previous seasons, with each of the 12 VFLW clubs playing their three double-up matches against the other three teams in their third of the 2024 ladder (1-4, 5-8, 9-12).
There are again plenty of VFL double headers in the fixture, with 28 set down for the first nine rounds. More will be added once dates and times for the last five rounds are to be confirmed later in the year.
The 2025 season kicks off with a huge Good Friday triple header, with North Melbourne to unfurl its premiership flag against Carlton at Arden Street Oval on April 18. The VFLW match will be followed by a VFL clash between the same teams, before fans can duck down to Marvel Stadium for the AFL game.
Port Melbourne will host Essendon in both the Smithy’s VFL and rebel VFLW at ETU Stadium on the same day.
The newly named Sandringham (formerly Southern Saints) will step out in the yellow, black and blue for the first time on Saturday in a clash with the Darebin Falcons at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval.
Geelong welcomes Box Hill Hawks to Deakin University, with two more double headers to wrap up the opening round. Casey Demons hosts the GWS Giants (VFL) and Collingwood (VFLW) on Saturday, while the Western Bulldogs/Footscray welcome Williamstown (VFLW) and Sandringham (VFL) to Mission Whitten Oval on Sunday.
The Box Hill Hawks’ third annual trip to Wonthaggi is set down for the Sunday of the Anzac Round the following week, with strong rival Port Melbourne this year’s opponent.
Darebin continues to grow it’ link to the Northern Bullants, with four double headers locked in for the opening nine rounds, including one at RMIT University Oval in Bundoora after both clubs sealed a partnership with the university.
Fixture rating system explained
Using a system rating the fixtures of each team whereby a trip to reigning premier North Melbourne is the hardest and a home game against 2024 wooden spooner Geelong the easiest – Carlton has ended up with the friendliest fixture for the second year in a row.
After finishing in the bottom four last year, the Blues have a tough start before it opens up with return games against Darebin, Geelong and Sandringham. The Kangaroos are the only team from last year’s top five they have to face away from home.
Darebin was to have that mantle of easiest fixture after negotiating the toughest one last year, but the relocation of its home game against Geelong to the neutral RMIT University Oval dropped them to fifth easiest in what is a very even book of games.
Instead, wooden spooner Geelong has the second easiest schedule, just ahead of Sandringham, Essendon and the Falcons.
Arch-rivals Port Melbourne and Williamstown share the most difficult fixture this year, albeit only 30 points tougher than the Blues/
Last year’s beaten grand finalist the Western Bulldogs, Casey Demons and premier North Melbourne make up the top five most challenging fixtures.
The points system used to create the difficulty score mentioned below awarded one point per 2024 ladder position to teams playing away or at a neutral venue and two to clubs playing at home.
A “single-figure” fixture, as mentioned several times below, is a match that attracted less than 10 points under this scale.
Here is a full analysis of the fixture for your club:
Last Season: 5th (8-6-1)
Fixture: Gee (a), PM (n), Cas (h), NM (a), Col (a), WB (h), Ess (a), Dar (h), Cas (a), Col (h), San (h), Ess (h), Wil (a), Car (a)
Plays Twice: Casey Demons, Collingwood, Essendon
VFL Double Headers: R2 v PM (Wonthaggi); R3 v Cas/Ric (BHCO); R5 v Col/GWS (BHCO); R6 v WB/BL (BHCO)
Summary: A couple of interesting ones to start for the Hawks. They travel to Geelong first up as the Cats look to bounce back quickly from their slide down the ladder. That’s followed by the third annual Wonthaggi excursion against a Port Melbourne team that will hold standalone status for the first time in their short VFLW history. Three of the following five games are away, including a trip to reigning premiers North Melbourne. But if they can get through that little period they can make a move with four home matches in five weeks after the mid-season bye. Finish with two road trips that could be the testing material.
Difficulty Score: 138 (7th hardest)
Last Season: 9th (5-9)
Fixture: NM (a), Gee (a), San (h), Ess (a), Dar (h), Wil (h), Cas (a), San (a), Gee (h), PM (h), Col (a), WB (h), Dar (a), Box (h)
Plays Twice: Darebin, Geelong, Sandringham
VFL Double Headers: R1 v NM (Arden); R4 Ess v Car/Syd (WH)
Summary: The Blues were unable to take advantage of the nominally easiest fixture last year, but they get another chance to do so here. The biggest challenges come early, being invited to watch North Melbourne unfurl its historic flag at Arden Street Oval in Round 1 followed by a trip down the highway among three away games in the first four weeks. Things open up after that, playing only one 2024 finalist in the next five weeks and not having to visit a finalist’s home ground between Rounds 6 and 14. They will hope to have a finals spot sewn up before hosting Box Hill in the last game.
Difficulty Score: 149 (12th hardest)
Last Season: 8th (5-8-1)
Fixture: Col (h), San (a), Box (a), WB (a), Ess (h), Dar (a), Car (h), Wil (h), Box (h), Ess (a), Gee (h), Col (a), NM (h), PM (a)
Plays Twice: Box Hill Hawks, Collingwood, Essendon
VFL Double Headers: R1 v Col/GWS (Casey); R2 San v Cas/BL (RSEA); R3 Box v Cas/Ric (BHCO); R4 v WB/Foo (Whitten); R5 v Ess/Sou (Casey); R6 v Dar/NB (Genis); R8 v Wil/Ess (Casey)
Summary: The Demons will need to be on their mettle early. After hosting Collingwood in Round 1, they have three tough away games in a row, which could derail their season before it even starts. If they can get through that relatively unscathed it will be game on as they enjoy four home matches in in five weeks, albeit three of them against 2024 finalists. Will be involved in seven double headers in the first eight weeks, five involving the men’s team, which should ensure plenty of support for the cause. Landing as the fourth seed in the middle fixture group means there are not many easy games.
Difficulty Score: 131 (equal 4th hardest)
Last Season: 7th (6-8)
Fixture: Cas (a), Ess (a), WB (h), Dar (a), Box (h), NM (h), San (h), Ess (h), PM (a), Box (a), Car (h), Cas (h), Gee (a), Wil (a)
Plays Twice: Box Hill Hawks, Casey Demons, Essendon
VFL Double Headers: R1 Cas v Col/GWS (Casey); R2 v Ess (WH); R3 v WB/Foo (VP); R4 v Dar/NB (Genis); R5 v Box/GWS (VP); R6 v NM (VP); R9 PM v Col/Cob (ETU)
Summary: Another team to have landed in the middle seeding group after a solid run to seventh in 2024 despite an entirely new team to the previous year. Three away matches in the first four weeks is a challenging start, but the Magpies can make hay after that with four Victoria Park contests in a row, albeit it against three 2024 finalists. They would want to do so though, with four of the last six being away, including a dangerous double to finish against Geelong and Williamstown. A great early fixture for club fans, with both the VFLW and VFL teams playing at the same venue every week from Rounds 2-6.
Difficulty Score: 132 (6th hardest)
Last Season: 10th (5-9)
Fixture: San (a), WB (a), PM (h), Col (h), Car (a), Cas (h), Gee (h), Box (a), NM (a), San (h), Ess (a), Wil (h), Car (h), Gee (a)
Plays Twice: Carlton, Geelong, Sandringham
VFL Double Headers: R3 Dar/NB v PM (Genis); R4 Dar/NB v Col (Genis); R6 Dar/NB v Cas (Genis); R7 Dar/NB v Gee/Sou (RMIT)
Summary: Despite breaking a long losing drought mid-season last year and going on to win five games, the Falcons still finished in the bottom four. But that brings its advantages, with last year’s hardest fixture being replaced by what would have been the easiest until one of their home games was moved to RMIT University Oval in a new club partnership with the university. Darebin will be the first club to visit Sandringham, followed by a trip to the Bulldogs. Then the fixture becomes Fan-Falcon-tastic, with three home matches in the following four, plus the aforementioned RMIT game. Three trips in four to finalists Box Hill, premier North Melbourne and Essendon from Rounds 8-11 is tough.
Difficulty Score: 142 (8th hardest)
Last Season: 6th (7-7-1)
Fixture: PM (a), Col (h), NM (h), Car (h), Cas (a), Gee (a), Box (h), Col (a), Wil (a), Cas (h), Dar (h), Box (a), San (h), WB (a)
Plays Twice: Box Hill Hawks, Casey Demons, Collingwood
VFL Double Headers: R1 v PM (ETU); R2 v Col (WH); R4 v Car/Syd (WH); R5 Cas v Ess/Sou (Casey); R9 Wil v Ess/Wer (DSV)
Summary: Perennial finalists in recent years and there’s nothing in the fixture to suggest the Bombers can’t repeat. After a visit to Port Melbourne on Good Friday, they have three home games in a row to set themselves up before a run of four trips in five matches either side of the King’s Birthday. Box Hill is the only finalist they play twice, while three home games in four weeks from Rounds 10-13 could set up their run at the flag. The last two away games the Box Hill Hawks and Western Bulldogs, however, could provide the late-season banana peel they really don’t want to step on.
Difficulty Score: 143 (ranked 9th)
Last Season: 12th (3-11)
Fixture: Box (h), Car (h), Wil (a), San (h), PM (a), Ess (h), Dar (a), NM (a), Car (a), WB (h), Cas (a), San (a), Col (h), Dar (h)
Plays Twice: Carlton, Darebin, Sandringham
VFL Double Headers: R3 Wil v Gee/Sou (DSV); R5 v PM (ETU); R7 Dar/NB v Gee/Sou (RMIT); R8 v NM/Wer (AAO)
Summary: A big job for the rebel VFLW’s youngest ever coach, as Taylah Hassett earns her shot at the helm in replacing club favourite Elise Coventry. But she has a good chance to get the wooden spooners off to a flying start with home games against Box Hill and Carlton before a tough trip to minor premier Williamstown. There is a tough run of six away games in eight between Rounds 5 and 12, but only one of those is against a 2024 finalist, although that is premier North Melbourne. If the Cats can be in contention late, home games against Collingwood and Darebin to finish could tip them back into the finals.
Difficulty Score: 146 (11th hardest)
Last Season: Premiers (11-6)
Fixture: Car (h), Wil (h), Ess (a), Box (h), WB (h), Col (a), PM (a), Gee (h), Dar (h), Wil (a), WB (a), PM (h), Cas (a), San (a)
Plays Twice: Port Melbourne, Western Bulldogs, Williamstown
VFL Double Headers: R1 v Car (Arden); R6 v Col (VP); R7 PM v NM/Wer (ETU); R8 NM/Wer v Gee (AAO)
Summary: Nominally the equal fourth toughest fixture for the reigning premiers, but they couldn’t ask for a better start. Four home matches in the first five weeks, which begins with unfurling the flag on Good Friday against Carlton before hosting Williamstown, Box Hill and the Grand Final rematch against the Western Bulldogs in Round 5, with a trip to Essendon sitting in the middle. The Kangaroos hit the road for four of the last five, with those games including trips to the Seagulls and Bulldogs, while the last two will give a solid build up to the finals.
Difficulty Score: 131 (equal 4th hardest)
Last Season: 4th (7-8-1)
Fixture: Ess (h), Box (n), Dar (a), Wil (a), Gee (h), San (a), NM (h), WB (a), Col (h), Car (a), Wil (h), NM (a), WB (h), Cas (h)
Plays Twice: North Melbourne, Western Bulldogs, Williamstown
VFL Double Headers: R1 v Ess (ETU); R2 v Box (Wonthaggi); R3 v Dar/NB (Genis); R5 v Gee (ETU); R7 v NM/Wer (ETU); R9 v Col/Cob (ETU)
Summary: It’s a tough road early for the Borough as they embark on their new journey as a standalone club in the VFLW. They host Essendon on Good Friday but will play four of the next five on the road, including trips to Wonthaggi (against Box Hill) and Williamstown, before welcoming the reigning premiers to ETU Stadium before King’s Birthday weekend bye. Two derbies against the Seagulls come from finishing in the top four, the second of which launches a run of three home games in the last four weeks that could be just the ticket to set up another premiership chase.
Difficulty Score: 119 (equal hardest)
Last Season: 11th (4-10)
Fixture: Dar (h), Cas (h), Car (a), Gee (a), Wil (h), PM (h), Col (a), Car (h), Wes (a), Dar (a), Box (a), Gee (h), Ess (a), NM (h)
Plays Twice: Carlton, Darebin, Geelong
VFL Double Headers: R2 v Cas/BL (RSEA); R5 v Wil/Wer (WSTBBO)
Summary: It will be a historic day when the Zebras take to a VFLW field for the first time in Round 1 against Darebin at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval. The former Southern Saints follow up with another home game against Casey before two road trips and will then enjoy three home games out of four from Rounds 5-8. They will want to be well positioned coming out of that, though, as four trips follow in five games from Rounds 9-13, before hosting the reigning premiers in Round 14. You wouldn’t want to have to win that to make the top six.
Difficulty Score: 145 (10th hardest)
Last Season: 2nd (12-6)
Fixture: Wil (h), Dar (h), Col (a), Cas (h), NM (a), Box (a), Wil (a), PM (h), San (h), Gee (a), NM (h), Car (a), PM (a), Ess (h)
Plays Twice: North Melbourne, Port Melbourne, Williamstown
VFL Double Headers: R1 WB/Foo v Wil/San (Whitten); R3 WB/Foo v Col (VP); R4 WB/Foo v Cas (Whitten); R6 Box v WB/BL (BHCO); R7 Wil v WB/Gee (DSV)
Summary: After flying up from 11th to Grand Finalist last year, the Bulldogs will be looking to continue that momentum early. And they will have every chance with three home games in the first four weeks, while facing just one finalist in next-door neighbour Williamstown in Round 1. But if they can’t make that count, the heat will really turn up when they face three 2024 finalists on the road in a row. If they are still in the mix, the next three are fixtures they will back themselves to win. How big will it be if they are fighting Essendon for finals seedings in Round 14.
Difficulty Score: 127 (3rd hardest)
Last Season: 3rd (11-4-2)
Fixture: WB (a), NM (a), Gee (h), PM (h), San (a), Car (a), WB (h), Cas (a), Ess (h), NM (h), PM (a), Dar (a), Box (h), Col (h)
Plays Twice: North Melbourne, Port Melbourne, Western Bulldogs
VFL Double Headers: R1 WB/Foo v Wil/San (Whitten); R2 v Gee/Sou (DSV); R5 San v Wil/Wer (WSTBBO); R7 v WB/Gee (DSV); R8 Cas v Wil/Ess (Casey); R9 v Ess/Wer (DSV)
Summary: The equal hardest fixture, and it starts right from the top with away games against last year’s grand finalists the Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne in the first two round. If they can at least split those they will be able to build a strong platform, being heavily favoured to win the next four. Three home matches in the next month could have them on a real roll, and with DSV Stadium clashes with Box Hill and Collingwood to finish, there is every chance of the Seagulls being able to hit the finals on almost as much of a tear as they did last year. Then they would hope for the luck that deserted them in 2024.
Difficulty Score: 119 (equal hardest)
