Swans to host GIANTS in VFL season opener
The AFL has today released Rounds One and Two of the 2021 VFL Premiership Season, which will see the largest second-tier football competition in Australia return to Victoria, NSW, and Queensland after a COVID-19 affected 2020 campaign.
Round One will see the Sydney Swans face cross-town rivals GWS GIANTS at Lakeside Oval ahead of the Sydney Derby at the SCG on Saturday April 17. Round Two will be the first road trip for the Swans, heading to the Gold Coast to face the Suns.
Rounds three to 19 dates, times and venues will be announced following the release of additional rounds of the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season fixture.
The home-and-away season will feature 22 clubs from Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria in a 16-game season across 19 rounds. The season will start on Friday April 16 under lights at Skybus Stadium when Frankston hosts Coburg.
For the first time, six clubs from New South Wales and Queensland will join the oldest state league football competition in Australia after previously playing in the NEAFL competition.
AFL Head of Talent Pathways and State Leagues Tristan Salter said the release of the fixture provides great excitement for a football-starved community of fans across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
“We are so excited that footy is back. Although we have to be vigilant, aware and responsible throughout the season, we cannot overstate the excitement of every boy connected to the VFL about the return in April,” Mr Salter said.
“Last year was devastating to everyone connected to community football. The AFL is very proud of how all clubs, players, officials, supporters and partners managed through a difficult year and kept their communities connected.”
“All 22 clubs play a vital role in keeping their suburban and regional networks engaged. They are pillars of their local communities and so important to growing and nurturing our national code.”
Mr Salter said it was an extraordinary achievement “that after 12 months when the competition was suspended due to lockdown, the competition returns with renewed vigour.
“We look forward to a new era for VFL football with new teams, new players and football played across three states in a new and exciting format is a testament to the hard work of all involved.”
This year’s fixture closely aligns with AFL programs given the VFL involvement of AFL-listed players from 14 AFL clubs and the shared resources across all 14 AFL clubs. The release of rounds one and two aligns with the current release of the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season fixture and is central to the fixturing of the season. All clubs will have three allocated byes to provide an added level of flexibility.
The fixture will deliver fans a blockbuster schedule of matches and allow maximised broadcast of the game with the VFL to enter the homes of more fans across more channels in 2021.
The AFL would like to acknowledge the support of all clubs in demonstrating the resilience and flexibility to adapt where needed to get footy started.
“We begin a new era for the VFL in 2021 with a renewed level of optimism and excitement, focusing on delivering fans the highest standard of state league football in Australia,” Mr Salter said.
“The introduction of six clubs from the northern states will not only provide more opportunity for players to potentially realise their AFL dreams, but also improve the standard of footy for the legions of passionate fans and their local VFL club.”
“All 22 clubs have been pillars in state league football and this season will provide all clubs, players, coaches, officials, members and supporters the best opportunity to flourish again after a challenging year in 2020,” Salter said.
“We know the legion of supporters are looking forward to the return of the VFL season and there is much for fans to look forward to, whether that be attending matches or watching the broadcast.”
A top eight finals structure will commence on Saturday August 28 with the VFL Grand Final to be held on the weekend of September 18/19. The AFL will continue to work through double-headers with VFLW and AFL matches.
The AFL would like to acknowledge the support of all industry stakeholders throughout this process and their patience in the construction of the fixture. The AFL also thanks the legion of fans and supporters for their patience and acknowledge the later release of the fixture will provide more certainty to clubs, players and supporters.
“The challenges surrounding the ongoing pandemic requires the VFL to remain diligent and take every precaution, both at clubs during the week and in stadiums on match day, to ensure the health and well-being of everyone continues to be the key priority,” Mr Salter said.
“Scheduling the fixture in blocks provides an added level of flexibility to adjust where required, and as our recent season demonstrated, our clubs and industry have the resilience and open-mindness to adapt where needed to keep footy going for the fans.”
The AFL will continue to review all arrangements ahead of Round One in consultation with clubs, the various State Governments and respective Health Officers to ensure the health and safety of everyone involved in this competition remains the priority.
The timeslots for the next block of matches will be released once the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season fixture for round seven is confirmed.
VFL 2021 Fast Facts
– 16 matches per club across 19 rounds
– Rounds One and Two Fixture released today
– Round One commencing Friday April 16 when Frankston host Coburg under lights at Skybus Stadium
– 22 Clubs
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- Standalone Clubs: Aspley, Coburg, Frankston, Northern Bullants, Port Melbourne, Southport, Werribee, Williamstown
- AFL Clubs: Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Footscray, Geelong Cats, Gold Coast SUNS, GWS GIANTS, North Melbourne, Richmond, Sydney Swans
- Aligned Clubs: Sandringham, Box Hill Hawks, Casey Demons
– Over 80% alignment with AFL fixture with all Victorian based VFL/AFL clubs to travel with their AFL club for interstate matches
– Match ups released for Rounds three to 19. Dates, times and venues to be announced shortly
