Women’s Exhibition match coming to Sydney!

Emma Humphries of the Bulldogs is tackled by Leah Mascall of the Demons during the 2015 AFL Womens match at Etihad Stadium (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media)

The AFL  has announced a 10-match Women’s Exhibition Series to be played in 2016.

Matches will be played between March and September across three rounds in Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane.

Round One will include players currently training in state academies while Round Two involves state representative matches featuring the best players from around the country.

The final round will be a match played for the Hampson-Hardeman Cup in the weekend between the Round 23 and the first week of the Toyota AFL Finals Series. The match between Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs will include Australia’s best senior female footballers. A Youth Girls All-Star match featuring the best Under-18 players will be played as a curtain-raiser.

AFL General Manager Game and Market Development Simon Lethlean said the Women’s Exhibition Series will showcase the growing depth of women’s football.

“As we countdown to the national competition in 2017, this series of exhibition matches will open up more opportunities to feature our leading players that are currently training with state academies across the country,” he explained.

“We are currently working with our venue and broadcast partners to maximise access and coverage opportunities throughout the exhibition match series.”

The opening match between Melbourne v Western Bulldogs will be played as a curtain-closer to the Melbourne v Western Bulldogs NAB Challenge match at Highgate Recreational Reserve in Craigieburn on Sunday March 6.

Croc Media will supply audio coverage for all matches which will be streamed live via afl.com.au

 

2016 Female Football Exhibition Series – all times are local

 

Round 1

Melbourne v Western Bulldogs     

5.10pm Sunday March 6

Highgate Recreational Reserve, Craigieburn

SANFL All Stars

10.40am Saturday April 2

Adelaide Oval

Sydney Swans v GWS Giants

1.40pm Saturday April 9

SCG

West Coast Eagles v Fremantle

3.10pm Saturday April 9

Domain Stadium

Northern Territory v Tasmania

12.10pm Sunday April 10

Peanut Reserve, St Kilda

Brisbane Lions v Gold Coast Suns

7.40pm Saturday April 16

Gabba

 

Round 2

Melbourne v Queensland

10.40am Sunday May 22

MCG

Western Bulldogs v Western Australia

12.40pm Sunday June 5

Etihad Stadium

South Australia v New South Wales

1.10pm Sunday June 5

Adelaide Oval

 

Round Three – Hampson-Hardeman Cup

 Western Bulldogs v Melbourne

7.20pm Saturday September 2

Venue TBC

 

*All times subject to change

Broadcasting details will issued when confirmed.