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.
