Here we go, folks! The AFLW has released its schedule for the 2018 season, and we are officially under 100 days away from footy being back which ABSOLUTELY OWNS.
The women’s national league is entering its second season after a wildly successful debut earlier this year, and league officials are looking to build on that wave of momentum by putting the game in front of more eyes than ever before, with Friday night games being opened up exclusively for the 2018 season.
The AFL previously announced the pre-season schedule for the men, and deliberately kept all games out of the prized Friday night prime time slot, leaving it to be the exclusive domain of the women for the duration of the AFLW season.
The 2018 roster opens with a repeat of this year’s blockbuster fixture between Carlton and Collingwood at the suburban IKON Park aka Princes Park. Unlike last season, next year’s fixture will take place totally under lights, on Friday night, February 2nd at 7:40pm.
The inaugural AFLW game this year famously attracted a sellout crowd in excess of 25,000, surprising league bosses and forcing officials to close the gates of the stadium, locking thousands of punters out in the process and sending league boss Gillon McLachlan to the outer to personally apologise to those who missed out.
A Friday night fixture in summer is likely to attract a similar capacity crowd, with inner-Melbourne’s appetite for footy at fever-pitch levels.
The league has resisted expanding the season in 2018, keeping the roster at 7 rounds with a Premiership-deciding Grand Final between the top two sides to follow.
Peep the full roster below.
Which game are you most looking forward to?
Check out the full fixture below 👇 #AFLW #journeyto2018 pic.twitter.com/W2CtMMef7L
— AFL Women’s (@aflwomens) October 26, 2017
Some highlights of the season include:
- A Grand Final rematch between reigning premier Adelaide and the Brisbane Lions in round one.
- The first ever sporting contest played on the new Perth Stadium when Fremantle hosts Collingwood on February 10th.
- The GWS Giants bringing top-tier women’s football to inner-western Sydney when they take on Carlton at Drummoyne Oval on February 9th.
- Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs taking the game to regional Victoria for a clash in Moe on March 4th.
- Forward gun and newly minted Blue Tayla Harris running out for Carlton against her old side Brisbane on February 17th.
As with last season, all games will be covered and broadcasted by Seven and Fox Footy.
FOOTY’S ON THE WAY BACK, PEOPLE. IT’S GONNA BE SICK.
