Practice match details, venues, start times, broadcast, how to watch

The AFL has released its official preseason round schedule, as well as details for separate “match simulation” hit-outs that will take place during the previous week.

All 18 clubs will face off in an official training match to be played in the first days of March. The format and game length will be modeled after the AFL Premiership season, with official games being broadcast live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports.

A week before this round, 16 clubs participate in an additional match simulation hit-out. The participating teams have determined the format, number of players, playing time and number of breaks.

Watch every game of every round of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

The Western Bulldogs and Giants are the two clubs that chose not to participate in the additional match simulation round. Instead, they will have hit-outs within the club as part of their respective community camps.

The Dogs will travel to Ballarat for a formal Captain’s Run on February 24, followed by an internal squad game the next day. The Giants, who will be in Canberra for camp, will also hold an intra-club game on Saturday.

“After an incredible 2022 – in which we saw two AFLW seasons and one of the best AFL seasons ever – the football industry has taken a well-deserved break. Now football is returning and momentum is building for the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership season,” said Travis Auld, the AFL’s executive general manager Clubs and Broadcast.

“Fans will get their first look at new players, new coaches and new captains ahead of a big 2023 season.”

THERE’S MORE

UNOFFICIAL GAME SIMULATIONS (all times AEDT)

Thursday 23 February

Carlton v Collingwood, Ikon Park, 11:00am (4x25min, no time)

Geelong vs Hawthorn, GMHBA Stadium, 4pm (4x20min plus on-time)

Gold Coast – Essendon, Austworld Oval (Carrara), 5pm (6 x 25 mins, no time)

Friday February 24th

North Melbourne – Richmond, Arden St, 10am (4 x 25 mins, 2 x 20 mins, no time)

Sydney – Brisbane, Tramway Oval (Moore Park), 12:00 (4x25min, no time)

St Kilda – Melbourne, RSEA Park, 4pm (6 x 25 mins, no time)

Fremantle – Adelaide, Victor George Kailis Oval (Cockburn), 18:30 (6×25 mins, no time)

West Coast vs Port Adelaide, Mineral Resources Park (Perth) 7:40pm (4 x 28mins, 2 x 20mins, no time)

OFFICIAL PRACTICE MATCHES (all times AEDT)

Thursday March 2nd

Hawthorn v Collingwood, UTAS Stadium, 5:10 p.m

Fremantle v Port Adelaide, Fremantle Oval, 7.10pm

Brisbane v Geelong, Brighton Homes Arena, 8.10pm

Friday March 3rd

St Kilda v Essendon, RSEA Park, 4.10pm

Sydney v Carlton, Blacktown International Sports Park, 7.10pm

West Coast vs. Adelaide, Mineral Resources Park (Perth) 7.40pm

Saturday March 4th

GWS Giants v Gold Coast, Blacktown International Sports Park, 12:10 p.m

Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne, Ikon Park, 1.10pm

Melbourne v Richmond, Casey Fields, 4:10 p.m