Footscray's Robbie McComb will be in action at The Hangar today. Picture: AFL Photos

THE 2022 VFL fixture has been released and the action is even closer than you might realise, with the first official practice match taking place later on Wednesday when Essendon hosts Footscray at The Hangar.

A long list of VFL practice matches have been scheduled over the next three weeks, with 12 clubs in action this weekend, giving plenty of opportunities for players to get some games under their belt before the season kicks off on Friday, March 25.

Carlton meets Sandringham at lunchtime tomorrow at Ikon Park and backs up against Werribee on Thursday night, while Frankston also has two games scheduled – back to back against Northern Bullants and Box Hill Hawks at Bundoora’s Parade College on Saturday.

Sandringham and Carlton will become acquainted again in a VFL practice match at Ikon Park on Thursday. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/AFL Photos

Port Melbourne and Williamstown fans should shelve their Saturday plans with the fierce rivals to meet at LaTrobe University at 1.30pm.

Up north, a QClash practice match has been locked in for Friday morning at Metricon Stadium.

Here is the full schedule of VFL practice matches that have been locked in so far:

Wednesday, February 23
Essendon v Footscray (NEC Hangar, Tullamarine, 5.30pm)

Thursday, February 24
Carlton v Sandringham (Ikon Park, Carlton, 12.50pm)

Friday, February 25
Gold Coast v Brisbane Lions (Metricon Stadium, Carrara, 9am)
Carlton v Werribee (Ikon Park, Carlton, 6pm)

Saturday, February 26
Frankston v Northern Bullants (Parade College, Bundoora, 12pm)
Port Melbourne v Williamstown (LaTrobe University, Bundoora, 1.30pm)
Frankston v Box Hill Hawks (Parade College, Bundoora, 3pm)
Coburg intraclub (Longwood)

Thursday, March 3
Carlton v Casey Demons (Ikon Park, Carlton, 12.50pm)

Friday, March 4
Footscray v Werribee (VU Whitten Oval, Footscray, 6pm)
Carlton intraclub with Bendigo Pioneers and Northern Knights (Ikon Park, Carlton, 6pm)

Saturday, March 5
Southport v Brisbane Lions (Fankhauser Reserve, Southport, 10am)
Northern Bullants v Williamstown (Parade College Waterford Oval, Bundoora, 12pm)
Frankston v Coburg (Linen House Centre, Seaford, 1pm)
Collingwood v Essendon (Holden Centre, Melbourne, 2pm)

Sunday, March 6
Sydney v GWS (Tom Wills Oval, Olympic Park, 9.30am)
North Melbourne v Geelong (Arden St, North Melbourne, 3.30pm)

Friday, March 11
Werribee v Williamstown (Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, 6pm and 7.30pm)
Essendon v Coburg (NEC Hangar, Tullamarine, 7pm)

Saturday, March 12
Northern Bullants v Port Melbourne (Parade College Waterford Oval, Bundoora, 11am)
GWS v North Shore Bombers (Tom Wills Oval, Olympic Park, 2pm)

Thursday, March 17
Richmond v Carlton (Swinburne Centre, Richmond, 4pm)
Footscray v Casey Demons (VU Whitten Oval, Footscray, 6pm)

Friday, March 18
Collingwood v Sandringham (Holden Centre, Melbourne, 4pm)
Coburg v Werribee (Highgate Reserve, Craigieburn, 7pm)

Saturday, March 19
Essendon v Geelong (NEC Hangar, Tullamarine, 11am)
GWS v Sydney (Tom Wills Oval, Olympic Park, 1pm)
Brisbane Lions v Southport (Moreton Bay Sports Complex, 1pm)

Sunday, March 20
North Melbourne v Box Hill Hawks (Arden St, North Melbourne, 2.10pm)

Twitter: @BRhodesVFL