The AFL have confirmed the first round of AFLW practice matches, with all nine games to align with their men's sides across an action-packed weekend of football.
Beginning on Friday, August 12, the Saints will host Brisbane at Moorabbin in an afternoon clash just hours prior to the Round 22 AFL match between the same two clubs at Marvel Stadium.
That trend will run through the entire weekend, with seven matches on the Saturday and just the sole match between Richmond and Hawthorn at Punt Road scheduled for the Sunday.
Adelaide will welcome North Melbourne to Norwood Oval to begin the Saturday fixtures, with AFLW newcomers Essendon and Port Adelaide also meeting in Tullamarine.
The Western Bulldogs will host the GWS Giants at Whitten Oval, while the Cats will make the trip to Queensland to face the Suns.
Sydney and Collingwood will go toe-to-toe at North Sydney Oval, with Carlton hosting Melbourne at Princes Park that same afternoon.
WA clubs Fremantle and West Coast will clash at 2:4pm (AWST) at Optus Stadium, three hours prior to the corresponding men's match at the same venue later that evening.
"Our competition is finally whole, and these practice matches will be the first time we will have 36 teams playing across one weekend," AFL general manager of women's football Nicole Livingstone said.
"While there wonโt be premiership points on the line, the practice matches are another significant moment in Australian Football history, as it signifies the symmetry across both the menโs and womenโs competitions.
"Fans of will get their first look at their teams, with Port Adelaide, Hawthorn, Sydney and Essendon fans (having) the opportunity for the very first time.
"Season seven kicks off in one monthโs time and with it brings four new clubs, 120 new players, thousands of new members and an exciting new chapter in the journey of womenโs football."
AFLW PRACTICE MATCH SCHEDULE:
Friday 12th August
St Kilda v Brisbane at RSEA Park, 3:30pm AEST
Saturday, 13 August
Adelaide v North Melbourne at Norwood Oval, 10:00am ACST
Essendon v Port Adelaide at The Hangar, 11:00am AEST
Western Bulldogs v Greater Western Sydney at Whitten Oval, 11:30am AEST
Gold Coast v Geelong Cats at Austworld Centre Oval, 1:00pm AEST
Sydney v Collingwood at North Sydney Oval, 2:00pm AEST
Carlton v Melbourne at IKON Park, 3:15pm AEST
Fremantle v West Coast at Optus Stadium, 2:40pm AWST
Sunday, 14 August
Richmond v Hawthorn at Punt Road Oval, 11:00am AEST
