Four 2016 NAB Challenge games in NSW/ACT

NSW/ACT will host four matches in the 2016 NAB Challenge pre-season AFL competition, with two games in Sydney and one each for Canberra and Wagga Wagga.

The Sydney Swans will kick off the region’s pre-season fixtures with a twilight game against Port Adelaide, before the GWS GIANTS host Western Bulldogs in Canberra, and the Swans and GIANTS play a derby at Drummoyne.

The region’s NAB Challenge quota is rounded off with Wagga Wagga hosting Victorian powerhouses North Melbourne and Collingwood – the first time two AFL clubs from south of the border have clashed at Robertson Oval.

The Swans and GIANTS also play one game interstate, travelling to meet Carlton and Brisbane respectively.

The 2016 NAB Challenge which will see all 18 teams play three matches across a four-week stretch between February 18 and Sunday March 13.

AFL General Manager – Broadcasting, Scheduling and Major Projects Simon Lethlean today announced the fixture for the 2016 NAB Challenge and said the AFL was delighted that all 27 matches in the pre-season would be exclusively broadcast on television live by Fox Footy, and in addition, every match will also be made available live to fans via the AFL Live App.

In a continuation of the initiative introduced for the 2015 NAB Challenge, AFL club members with game access will be entitled to attend next year’s NAB Challenge matches free of charge, subject to availability.

“The NAB Challenge continues to take our game across the country to regional and suburban grounds that don’t normally host AFL football during our regular premiership season,” Mr Lethlean said.

“The support of NAB, by taking our games in the pre-season away from the major metropolitan venues, enables our game to strengthen its roots in the community.

Mr Lethlean said every match across the opening three weeks would be played at regional or suburban venues, while the fourth and final week would see matches staged at metropolitan AFL venues to optimise team preparations ahead of the Premiership Season.

Six matches will be played across each of the first three weekends of games – giving all clubs one bye – with every club playing on the final weekend.

NSW/ACT 2016 NAB Challenge fixture

Match 1

Saturday, 20 February

Sydney Swans vs. Port Adelaide

Blacktown International SportsPark

4:40pm EDT

Match 2

Thursday, 25 February

GWS Giants vs. Western Bulldogs

StarTrack Oval

7:10pm EDT

Match 3

Friday, 4 March

Sydney Swans vs. GWS Giants

Drummoyne Oval

7:10pm EDT

Match 4

Saturday, 5 March

North Melbourne vs. Collingwood

Robertson Oval, Wagga Wagga

4:40pm EDT

*Sydney Swans and GWS GIANTS interstate games

Friday, 11 March
Carlton vs. Sydney Swans
Etihad Stadium
5:50pm EDT

Sunday 13 March
Brisbane Lions v GIANTS
Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast
12.10pm EDT