THE return of the Battle of Bell Street, more VFL/VFLW double headers and AFL curtain raisers and a trip to the country are the biggest features of the 2023 Smithy’s VFL fixture.
The 2023 Smithy's VFL fixture was released on Thursday and includes the full schedule for Rounds 1-14 of the 2023 Smithy’s VFL season, along with match ups for the remaining eight rounds.
The 21 Smithy’s VFL clubs will again play 18 matches and have four byes across 22 rounds, with the season kicking off under the Friday night lights at IKON Park on March 24 when Carlton takes on Geelong Cats.
The season-opener will be followed by a Queensland feature day on Saturday, March 25 when all of Brisbane Lions, Gold Coast SUNS and Southport Sharks host Victorian opposition in tantalising contests.
There are Round 1 double-headers locked in for Victoria Park and the NEC Hangar, and they keep coming as the season goes on, with a total of 33 locked in to the end of Round 14.
A smorgasbord of football features on Good Friday, with two Smithy’s VFL and three rebel VFLW matches scheduled on April 7, including a mouth-watering double-header between arch-rivals Williamstown and Port Melbourne at DSV Stadium.
Another feature of the fixture will see the two clubs with the closest link to Gippsland playing a double-header, when the Box Hill Hawks host the Casey Demons at Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve in both the VFL and VFLW competitions on Sunday, April 30.
There will be two Thursday matches, including a Marvel Stadium curtain raiser and one at Brisbane Lions’ new home ground Brighton Homes Arena, along with two Friday afternoon matches at Sydney’s Tramway Oval.
The opening 14 rounds also includes five Friday night games, four Saturday night fixtures and an ANZAC Day Eve showdown between Frankston and the Borough at Kinetic Stadium.
Nine AFL curtain raisers are currently scheduled, including Geelong meeting Box Hill Hawks at the MCG on Easter Monday.
Reigning premier Casey Demons will play their first three matches at home, unfurling their first flag since 1996 against Footscray at Casey Fields in the opening round.
The Bulldogs face a nomadic existence with Whitten Oval under redevelopment, playing home matches at Port Melbourne’s ETU Stadium and Werribee’s Avalon Airport Oval.
Coburg will host the Northern Bullants at Piranha Park in Round 8 on Saturday, May 13 after the time-honoured clash did not appear in last year’s fixture.
The last time the Lions played the Bullants it was the Preston club which came from behind to secure a heartstopping one-point victory just before the 2021 season was curtailed by Covid lockdowns, and its return is sure to be well received by VFL followers across the competition.
Victoria’s six standalone clubs all travelled interstate three times last year, but only Werribee and Williamstown will do that this year, with both again undertaking two flights to Queensland and one to Sydney.
Using a system rating the fixtures of each team whereby a trip to reigning premier Casey is the hardest and a home game against bottom club Northern Bullants the easiest – with double points for interstate trips – GWS GIANTS have ended up with comfortably the most challenging fixture.
The Giants’ nine home matches include challenging fixtures against six of last year’s top eight, while their nine away games (all to Victoria) include trips to Casey and Collingwood.
Port Melbourne is expected to be a big improver, and the Borough has the easiest fixture on paper, avoiding a Round 1 interstate trip for the first time since the NSW and Queensland clubs joined the league and not having to play Casey Demons or Brisbane Lions.
Here is a full analysis of the fixture for your club:
Difficulty score (per ladder position) – 0.5 points away v interstate; 1 point away or neutral same state; 1.5 home same state or neutral interstate; 2 points home interstate. Lowest score is the hardest fixture.
Coach: Zane Littlejohn (replacing Clint Proctor)
Last season: 8th (11-8)
Fixture: Syd (A), bye, Gee (N), Col (H), Cob (H), Cas (N), NB (A), bye, Sou (H), Ess (A), Wil (H), BL (H), bye, GC (A), PM (H), GWS (A), NM (A), Ric (A), San (H), bye, Foo (H), Fra (A)
Doesn’t play: Carlton, Werribee
Interstate trips: NSW 2, Queensland 1
Summary: A tough start for the Hawks with two away games either side of a bye, but if they can get through that, back-to-back home games can put them in a good position for their ground-breaking trip to Wonthaggi to play the Demons. Three interstate trips, but no trip to last year’s top three of Casey, Southport or Brisbane Lions. They don’t get a chance to avenge their first-ever loss to Carlton while three consecutive away games from Rounds 17-19 could be a difference maker.
Difficulty score: 244 (ranked equal 8th)
Coach: Ben Hudson (replacing Mitch Hahn)
Last season: 3rd (15-6)
Fixture: Wer (H), Foo (N), Col (H), Sou (H), GWS (A), bye, Car (A), Ess (H), Cob (H), Fra (A), bye, Box (A), Syd (H), San (A), Ric (H), NB (A), bye, Gee (H), GC (A), bye, Wil (H), Cas (A)
Doesn’t play: North Melbourne, Port Melbourne
Interstate trips: NSW 1, Victoria 7
Summary: Three games at their new Springfield home in the first four weeks is a dream start, while seven trips to Melbourne will make the old Fitzroy fans happy. They avoid the neighbouring bogey ground at Fankhauser Reserve and will be happy to not have to go to Werribee, Collingwood, Sydney, Richmond or Geelong, but the Round 22 trip to Casey will be as big a banana peel as the reverse fixture was for the Demons last year.
Difficulty score: 261 (ranked 15th)
Coach: Luke Power (replacing Daniel O’Keefe)
Last season: 6th (12-8)
Fixture: Gee (H), GWS (A), NM (A), Ric (H), San (H), Foo (N), BL (H), bye, Wil (A), Syd (A), Fra (H), Ess (H), Wer (A), bye, NB (H), Cob (A), bye, PM (H), Col (A), bye, Cas (H), GC (A)
Doesn’t play: Box Hill Hawks, Southport Sharks
Interstate trips: NSW 2, Queensland 1
Summary: The Blues would be satisfied with this fixture. They get the opportunity to open the season against Geelong under the Friday night lights and they avoid grand finalists Southport Sharks for the second year in a row, while also not having to travel to fellow top three teams Casey Demons or Brisbane Lions. Their three interstate trips are evenly spread (Rounds 2, 10 and 22).
Difficulty score: 260 (ranked 14th)
Coach: Taylor Whitford (replacing Mark Corrigan)
Last season: Premiers (20-1)
Fixture: Foo (H), Syd (H), Fra (H), Ess (A), Ric (H), Box (N), GC (A), bye, NM (H), Wer (A), Sou (A), Col (H), bye, Gee (A), GWS (H), San (A), bye, Cob (A), Wil (H), bye, Car (A), BL (H)
Doesn’t play: Northern Bullants, Port Melbourne
Interstate trips: Queensland 2
Summary: The reigning premiers have a dream start with the first three and four of the first five at home, although the trade-off is a run of five away games in seven matches that includes two trips to Queensland and three country ventures, (Wonthaggi, Werribee and Geelong). They do host Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions though, which are positives, and there is nothing else they would be apprehensive about.
Difficulty score: 252 (ranked equal 12th)
Coach: Jamie Cassidy-McNamara (replacing Andrew Sturgess)
Last Season: 19th (4-14)
Fixture: Col (A), Ric (H), GWS (H), Wil (A), Box (A), Gee (H), bye, NB (H), BL (A), San (A), Wer (H), bye, NM (H), Sou (A), Foo (N), Car (H), bye, Cas (H), PM (A), bye, Fra (H), Ess (A)
Doesn’t play: Gold Coast SUNS, Sydney Swans
Interstate trips: Queensland 2
Summary: A challenging visit first up to Victoria Park, but they only have two interstate trips this year compared to three in 2022, although they are to top three teams Southport Sharks and Brisbane Lions. The trade-off is they don’t have to play Gold Coast SUNS or Sydney. Burger fans will also be delighted to see the Battle of Bell Street return to the fixture with a home game against Northern Bullants in Round 8. The toughest stint will be Rounds 14-18, which includes the Sharks, Footscray, Carlton and Casey.
Difficulty score: 262 (ranked equal 16th)
Coach: Josh Fraser (replacing Craig Black)
Last season: 7th (11-8)
Fixture: Cob (H), PM (A), BL (A), Box (A), Ess (H), bye, Wil (A), GWS (H), bye, NM (H), NB (A), Cas (A), bye, Syd (H), Fra (A), Foo (N), bye, San (H), Car (H), Wer (A), Gee (H), Sou (H)
Doesn’t play: Gold Coast SUNS, Richmond
Interstate trips: Queensland 1
Summary: After having the easiest fixture last year under this system, the Magpies have lucked out again with the third easiest on paper, even though they have three away games in a row from Rounds 2-4. Only one trip out of Victoria, being to Springfield in Round 3, and hosting rights in four of their last five matches. They miss preliminary finalist Gold Coast SUNS, but there is no clash with Richmond, a fixture they have won the past two years.
Difficulty score: 272 (ranked 19th)
Coach: Leigh Tudor (replacing Brent Stanton)
Last season: 15th (8-10)
Fixture: GWS (H), San (A), NB (A), Cas (H), Col (A), bye, Wer (H), BL (A), Ric (N), Box (H), NM (H), Car (A), bye, PM (A), GC (H), bye, Gee (A), Wil (A), Syd (H), Sou (A), bye, Cob (H)
Doesn’t play: Footscray Bulldogs, Frankston
Interstate trips: Queensland 2
Summary: Once again one of the tougher fixtures, although the Bombers will be eyeing off a strong start with GWS GIANTS making its first-ever trip to the NEC Hangar in Round 1. They will need to win that with three of the next four being away and the other being against premiers Casey. Two trips to Queensland matches them up with the Lions and Southport, although Fankhauser Reserve holds no fears after their near miss in 2021 and remarkable win in 2022.
Difficulty score: 236 (ranked equal 4th)
Coach: Stewart Edge (3rd season)
Last season: 11th (9-9)
Fixture: Cas (A), BL (N), Ric (A), bye, Sou (N), Car (N), GWS (A), Wer (A), bye, GC (A), Gee (N), Fra (A), Wil (A), bye, Cob (N), Col (N), Syd (A), NB (A), bye, NM (N), Box (A), PM (N)
Doesn’t play: Essendon, Sandringham
Interstate trips: NSW 2, Queensland 1
Summary: A nightmare start as they look to bounce back from a disappointing 2022. The Bulldogs watch Casey unfurl its flag in Round 1, followed by the preliminary finalist Lions and grand finalist Sharks either side of a tough trip to the Swinburne Centre. If they can break even through that first month, they will be in good shape, although their later away games include three interstate trips plus a journey to Box Hill. On top of that, the Whitten Oval is out of action for a large chunk of the season, meaning they will play their home games at neutral venues.
Difficulty score: 185 (ranked 2nd)
Coach: Danny Ryan (4th season)
Last season: 6-12 (17th)
Fixture: bye, Wil (H), Cas (A), San (A), PM (H), bye, Syd (H), NM (A), NB (A), BL (H), Car (A), Foo (H), Gee (A), bye, Col (H), GC (A), GWS (H), Wer (A), Sou (H), bye, Cob (A), Box (H)
Doesn’t play: Essendon, Richmond
Interstate trips: Queensland 1
Summary: A bye to start is followed by a mouth-watering Friday night home game against Williamstown which will see Mitch Cox return to his old stomping ground early on. Trips to local rivals Casey and Sandringham and home games against a likely resurgent Port Melbourne and Sydney Swans represents a challenging first seven weeks. A bonus is only one interstate trip (Gold Coast SUNS, where the Dolphins almost won last year), while they can use their home ground advantage against more-fancied teams.
Difficulty score: 252 (ranked equal 12th)
Coach: Mark Corrigan (replacing Shane O’Bree)
Last season: 14th (8-10)
Fixture: Car (A), GC (A), Box (N), Wer (A), bye, Cob (A), Sou (H), Ric (A), bye, PM (H), Foo (N), bye, Fra (H), Cas (H), Syd (A), NM (H), Ess (H), BL (A), NB (H), bye, Col (A), GWS (H)
Doesn’t play: Sandringham, Williamstown
Interstate trips: NSW 1, Queensland 2
Summary: Three trips interstate this year compared to just one in 2022. The Cats’ away games include five of last year’s finalists, including semi finalist Carlton in the season-opener. Hosting grand finalists Casey Demons and Southport Sharks helps balance that out a bit. We will know a lot about Geelong early, with four of their first five games on the road and no match in Geelong until Round 7. But they will have the chance to build momentum if they can get through that with a run of 2022 non-finalists from Rounds 8-12. Two Friday night home games in consecutive weeks in June.
Difficulty score: 238 (ranked equal 6th)
Coach: Josh Drummond (replacing Jackson Kornberg)
Last season: 4th (14-7)
Fixture: Wil (H), Gee (H), San (A), bye, NM (H), Ric (A), Cas (H), Sou (A), Wer (A), Foo (H), PM (A), bye, NB (A), Box (H), Ess (A), Fra (H), bye, GWS (A), BL (H), bye, Syd (A), Car (H)
Doesn’t play: Coburg, Collingwood
Interstate trips: NSW 2, Victoria 6
Summary: The Suns would be happy with their start, hosting their first two games against 2022 non-finalists Williamstown and Geelong, which gives them a chance of early momentum. Rounds 6-11 look likely to make or break their season, with home games against reigning premiers Casey and 2021 minor premiers Footscray spliced in between trips to Richmond, Werribee and a likely much-improved Port Melbourne. The Coast Clash will be played at Fankhauser, while the QClash is at home.
Difficulty score: 247 (ranked 11th)
Coach: Wayne Cripps (replacing Damian Truslove)
Last season: 13th (8-9-1)
Fixture: Ess (A), Car (H), Cob (A), bye, BL (H), PM (A), Foo (H), Col (A), San (H), bye, Ric (H), NM (A), Sou (H), bye, Cas (A), Box (H), Fra (A), GC (H), bye, Syd (H), NB (A), Gee (A)
Doesn’t play: Werribee, Williamstown
Interstate trips: Victoria 9
Summary: Statistically the hardest fixture in the competition. The Giants don’t go to Queensland, with all their away games being in Victoria, including reigning premiers Casey. Their home games include challenges against last year’s top teams Southport (2nd), Brisbane Lions (3rd), Gold Coast SUNS (4th), Sydney Swans (5th), Carlton (6th), Box Hill Hawks (8th) and Richmond (9th). Meanwhile, their away games feature Casey (1st) and every team that finished below them last year except Williamstown, who they don’t play at all. Those clubs won’t be pushovers on their home decks.
Difficulty score: 184 (ranked 1st)
Coach: Tom Lynch (1st full season after taking over as caretaker in 2022)
Last season: 18th (4-14)
Fixture: PM (H), Sou (H), Car (H), Syd (A), GC (A), bye, San (H), Fra (H), Cas (A), Col (A), Ess (A), GWS (H), Cob (A), bye, Wil (H), Gee (A), Box (H), bye, Wer (H), Foo (N), bye, Ric (A)
Doesn’t play: Brisbane Lions, Northern Bullants
Interstate trips: NSW 1, Queensland 1
Summary: The Kangaroos can get the ideal start with their first three games at home, although they are against a likely big improver in Port Melbourne plus Southport Sharks and Carlton. The home games are followed by consecutive interstate trips to Sydney Swans and Gold Coast SUNS, although they are their only two flights for the year. The Roos don’t get to play 2022 wooden spooner Northern Bullants, but the trade is avoiding top-three team Brisbane Lions. Three away games in a row from Rounds 9-11 looms as another make-or-break part of the season.
Difficulty score: 244 (ranked equal 8th)
Coach: Brodie Holland (replacing Ben Hart)
Last season: 21st (1-17)
Fixture: Ric (A), bye, Ess (H), PM (A), Syd (H), Sou (A), Box (H), Cob (A), Fra (H), bye, Col (H), Wil (A), GC (H), bye, Car (A), BL (H), Wer (A), Foo (H), Gee (A), San (A), GWS (H), bye
Doesn’t play: Casey Demons, North Melbourne
Interstate trips: Queensland 1
Summary: An away game against a strong opponent to kick off the season isn’t what the Ants would have wanted, but they would be happy with avoiding reigning premier Casey Demons. Just the one interstate trip, albeit it to grand finalists Southport Sharks, is a help, while they get to host Collingwood in what will be a very interesting contest against former coach and captain Josh Fraser and Tom Wilson. Home games against crowd-drawing teams Essendon, Sydney Swans, Box Hill Hawks, Frankston and Collingwood gives them a chance to showcase their club to their members and supporters. And the Battle of Bell Street is back, albeit it at Coburg.
Difficulty score: 238 (ranked equal 6th)
Coach: Adam Skrobalak (2nd season)
Last season: 16th (7-11)
Fixture: NM (A), Col (H), Wil (A), NB (H), Fra (A), GWS (H), bye, San (A), Syd (H), Gee (A), GC (H), Sou (A), bye, Ess (H), Box (A), Wer (H), bye, Car (A), Cob (H), bye, Ric (H), Foo (N)
Doesn’t play: Brisbane Lions, Casey Demons
Interstate trips: Queensland 1
Summary: For the first time in three years the Borough will be in Melbourne for Round 1 and although it will be across town at Arden St, it looms as a very winnable game. They could realistically be anywhere from 6-0 to 1-5 heading into their first bye, which will say everything about their prospects of charging back up the ladder this year. Statistically it is the second easiest fixture, with no game against 2022 top-three teams Casey Demons and Brisbane Lions, only one interstate trip (Southport Sharks) and just two other away games against 2022 finalists (Carlton and Box Hill Hawks). Friday night football against historical neighbour Sydney Swans at ETU Stadium looms as a potential sellout.
Difficulty score: 273 (ranked 20th)
Coach: Steven Morris (2nd season)
Last season: 9th (11-7)
Fixture: NB (H), Cob (A), Foo (H), Car (A), Cas (A), GC (H), bye, Gee (H), Ess (N), bye, GWS (A), Wer (H), San (H), bye, BL (A), Syd (H), Sou (A), Box (H), bye, Wil (A), PM (A), NM (H)
Doesn’t play: Collingwood, Frankston
Interstate trips: NSW 1, Queensland 2
Summary: The Tigers will be confident of a good start with games against the Bullants and Coburg, but if they drop either the heat will come on, given the next four are against Footscray Bulldogs, Carlton, Casey Demons and Gold Coast SUNS. Three interstate games is another challenge, while Round 15-18 will also be a real test that will guarantee they will be well prepared for the finals if they can make it. They would be confident of winning their last three, but the Seagulls, Borough and Roos might have something to say about that.
Difficulty score: 245 (ranked 10th)
Coach: Jake Batchelor (3rd season)
Last season: 12th (8-9-1)
Fixture: Sou (A), Ess (H), GC (H), Fra (H), Car (A), bye, NM (A), PM (H), GWS (A), Cob (H), bye, Syd (A), Ric (A), BL (H), Wer (A), Cas (H), bye, Col (A), Box (A), NB (H), bye, Wil (H)
Doesn’t play: Footscray Bulldogs, Geelong Cats
Interstate trips: NSW 2, Queensland 1
Summary: A trip to Southport Sharks first-up will provide an early test of their credentials. If they can find a way to win that they could easily be 4-0 with winnable home games against Essendon, Gold Coast Suns and Frankston to follow. Two trips to Sydney in a month mid-season will test, but they will see their last two home games as a chance to lock away a finals spot if they haven’t already done so. The mid-season run from Rounds 12-19 looms as a tough period in a part of the season where the Zebras have not been strong in recent years. There are three matches in the first 14 rounds at Moorabbin’s RSEA Park for Saints fans.
Difficulty score: 236 (ranked equal 4th)
Coach: Steve Daniel (3rd VFL season, 6th overall)
Last season: 2nd (15-6)
Fixture: San (H), NM (A), Wer (H), BL (A), Foo (N), NB (H), Gee (A), GC (H), Box (A), bye, Cas (H), PM (H), GWS (A), Cob (H), bye, Wil (A), Ric (H), bye, Fra (A), Ess (H), bye, Col (A)
Doesn’t play: Carlton, Sydney Swans
Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Victoria 7
Summary: Anyone who still doesn’t take the Sharks seriously doesn’t know much about footy – and they have the friendliest fixture under this system. They will be confident of being 3-0 heading into the away derby against the Lions and trip to Melbourne to play Footscray, but it is the run from Rounds 8-13 that could make or break them. That run includes a home game against Casey Demons in Round 11 in a rematch of the 2022 grand final. The black-and-white showdown against Collingwood in Round 22 looms as finals come early. No game for the second year in a row against Carlton means they still will not have played the Blues since their very first VFL game back in 2021.
Difficulty score: 280 (ranked 21st)
Coach: Damian Truslove (replacing Jeremy Laidler)
Last season: 5th (13-7)
Fixture: Box (H), Cas (A), bye, NM (H), NB (A), bye, Fra (A), Wil (H), PM (A), Car (H), bye, San (H), BL (A), Col (A), Gee (H), Ric (A), Foo (H), bye, Ess (A), GWS (A), GC (H), Wer (H)
Doesn’t play: Coburg, Southport Sharks
Interstate trips: Queensland 1, Victoria 7
Summary: The Swans will go to Queensland this year (Brisbane Lions in Round 13) after not doing so last year. Again play seven games in Melbourne, the same as last year given they don’t go to Geelong. Statistically it is a friendly fixture for a team that finished fourth after the regular season – after the challenging start against Box Hill and Casey (away) of course. No game against grand finalist Southport is a bonus, while playing the Sydney Derby away means one less trip out of NSW. Finishing with two home games helps, although they won’t be pushovers against bogey team Gold Coast Suns and an expected flag contender in Werribee.
Difficulty score: 264 (ranked 18th)
Coach: Michael Barlow (3rd season)
Last season: 10th (9-9)
Fixture: BL (A), bye, Sou (A), Gee (H), Wil (H), bye, Ess (A), Foo (H), GC (H), Cas (H), Cob (A), Ric (A), Car (H), bye, San (H), PM (A), NB (H), Fra (H), NM (A), Col (H), bye, Syd (A)
Doesn’t play: Box Hill Hawks, GWS GIANTS
Interstate trips: NSW 1, Queensland 2
Summary: The Tigers have been quite disappointing for the past two years, with their starts being the main reason. Trips to Brisbane Lions and Southport Sharks to start the season mean if they’re not switched on this time they will be behind the eight-ball again. Rounds 8-10 at home is another critical period, while they wouldn’t want to have to rely on beating Sydney in Sydney in Round 22 to lock in a finals berth. A lot of eyes on the Big W this season.
Difficulty score: 262 (ranked equal 16th)
Coach: Justin Plapp (3rd season)
Last season: 20th (3-15)
Fixture: GC (A), Fra (A), PM (H), Cob (H), Wer (A), bye, Col (H), Syd (A), Car (H), bye, Box (A), NB (H), Foo (H), bye, NM (A), Sou (H), bye, Ess (H), Cas (A), Ric (H), BL (A), San (A)
Doesn’t play: Geelong Cats, GWS GIANTS
Interstate trips: NSW 1, Queensland 2
Summary: Recruiting suggests the Seagulls should be on the up this season, although their fixture is not a friendly one. A lot will be known after away games to Gold Coast Suns and Frankston in the first two weeks before the Johnson-Callahan Cup showdown in Round 3. Get through that trio and they will have some good momentum going, although Rounds 5-11 looks exceptionally difficult. Three of the last four games away from home, including premiers reigning Casey, third-placed Brisbane Lions and recent bogey team Sandringham, ensures they will be battle hardened should they earn their way back into the top eight.
Difficulty score: 232 (ranked 3rd)
Broadcast and streaming: All matches in the 2023 Smithy’s VFL and rebel VFLW seasons will be live streamed free via the AFL website (AFL.com.au) and AFL Live Official App. Smithy’s VFL broadcast partner, the Seven Network, will continue to show one weekly game live and free on the Seven Network in Victoria and on 7Plus nationally.
