The AFL pre-season is officially underway, offering fans a crucial glimpse into how their favourite clubs are shaping up for the upcoming season. Across a concentrated period from February 16th to 21st, all 18 teams will participate in a series of match simulation fixtures. These games, while varied in their specific formats, provide invaluable hit-outs for players and coaching staff alike.
It’s important to note that the timing of these pre-season clashes falls shortly after the AFL’s traditional ‘Origin’ game (though this event’s format and frequency can vary). This means that many clubs will likely be selecting from a slightly depleted squad, as key players may be rested or unavailable due to their involvement in representative fixtures.
Here’s a breakdown of the scheduled pre-season matches, including confirmed team lists where available:
Hawthorn vs. Geelong
Date: Monday, February 16th
Venue: Kennedy Community Centre
Time: 1:45pm (AEDT)
Format: Four 30-minute quarters, with no ‘time on’ applied.
Hawthorn Squad:
- Harry Morrison
- Mitch Lewis
- Jai Newcombe
- Jarman Impey
- Nick Watson
- James Sicily
- Ned Reeves
- Dylan Moore
- Connor Macdonald
- Karl Amon
- Conor Nash
- Calsher Dear
- Jack Scrimshaw
- Massimo D’Ambrosio
- Lloyd Meek
- Mabior Chol
- Finn Maginness
- Noah Mraz
- Josh Weddle
- Josh Ward
- Bodie Ryan
- Cam Mackenzie
- Aidan Schubert
- Sam Butler
- Ollie Greeves
- Max Ramsden
- Flynn Perez
- Jack Riding
- Bailey Macdonald
- Henry Hustwaite
Geelong Squad:
- Jay Polkinghorne
- Tanner Bruhn
- Mitchell Knevitt
- Mitchell Edwards
- Jack Bowes
- Connor O’Sullivan
- Jhye Clark
- George Stevens
- Sam De Koning
- Hunter Holmes
- Lennox Hofmann
- Jacob Molier
- Oliver Wiltshire
- Jed Bews
- Ollie Dempsey
- Nicholas Driscoll
- James Worpel
- Tom Atkins
- Gryan Miers
- Shannon Neale
- Oisin Mullin
- Ollie Henry
- Joe Pike
- Jack Henry
- Cillian Burke
- Mark O’Connor
- Brad Close
Brisbane vs. Carlton
Date: Wednesday, February 18th
Venue: Brighton Homes Arena
Time: 5:00pm (AEST)
Format: Four 30-minute quarters, with no ‘time on’ and an extended bench.
Brisbane Squad:
Squads for this fixture are yet to be confirmed.
Carlton Squad:
Squads for this fixture are yet to be confirmed.
Western Bulldogs vs. Sydney
Date: Thursday, February 19th
Venue: Whitten Oval
Time: 2:00pm (AEDT)
Format: Four 30-minute quarters, with no ‘time on’.
Western Bulldogs Squad:
Squads for this fixture are yet to be confirmed.
Sydney Squad:
Squads for this fixture are yet to be confirmed.
Gold Coast vs. St Kilda
Date: Thursday, February 19th
Venue: People First Stadium
Time: 6:45pm (AEST)
Format: Four 20-minute quarters, with ‘time on’ applied.
Gold Coast Squad:
Squads for this fixture are yet to be confirmed.
St Kilda Squad:
Squads for this fixture are yet to be confirmed.
Essendon vs. Richmond
Date: Friday, February 20th
Venue: NEC Hangar
Time: 10:30am (AEDT)
Format: Four 30-minute quarters, with no ‘time on’.
Essendon Squad:
Squads for this fixture are yet to be confirmed.
Richmond Squad:
Squads for this fixture are yet to be confirmed.
GWS Giants vs. Collingwood
Date: Friday, February 20th
Venue: La Trobe University Sports Park
Time: 11:00am (AEDT)
Format: Four 25-minute quarters, with no ‘time on’.
GWS Giants Squad:
Squads for this fixture are yet to be confirmed.
Collingwood Squad:
Squads for this fixture are yet to be confirmed.
North Melbourne vs. Melbourne
Date: Friday, February 20th
Venue: Casey Fields
Time: 4:00pm (AEDT)
Format: Four 25-minute quarters, with no ‘time on’, plus scenario training.
North Melbourne Squad:
Squads for this fixture are yet to be confirmed.
Melbourne Squad:
Squads for this fixture are yet to be confirmed.
Adelaide vs. Port Adelaide
Date: Friday, February 20th
Venue: Alberton Oval
Time: 5:30pm (ACDT)
Format: Four 20-minute quarters, with ‘time on’ applied.
Adelaide Squad:
Squads for this fixture are yet to be confirmed.
Port Adelaide Squad:
Squads for this fixture are yet to be confirmed.
Fremantle vs. West Coast
Date: Saturday, February 21st
Venue: Victor George Kailis Oval
Time: 9:00am (AWST)
Format: Four 25-minute quarters, with no ‘time on’.
Fremantle Squad:
Squads for this fixture are yet to be confirmed.
West Coast Squad:
Squads for this fixture are yet to be confirmed.
As the pre-season progresses, fans will be keenly watching for emerging talent, strategic adjustments, and the overall fitness and readiness of each club as they gear up for the official start of the 2024 AFL season. The varied formats of these practice matches also provide coaches with opportunities to test different game plans and player combinations in a controlled environment.
