Tara Murray
Essendon’s home ground in Tullamarine will host the club’s first official AFLW pre-season match.
The Bombers will host fellow new side Port Adelaide on August 13 at the NEC Hangar at 11am.
The match is part of a big weekend for the AFL.
All 18 AFL clubs will play the same opposition in men’s and women’s on the same weekend.
The AFLW pre-season games will align with Round 22 of the men’s season.
AFL general manager of women’s football Nicole Livingstone said she was excited to see all 18 AFLW clubs play against the same teams across the women’s and men’s.
“Our competition is finally whole, and these practice matches will be the first time we will have 36 teams playing across one weekend,” Livingstone said.
“While there won’t be premiership points on the line, the practice matches are another significant moment in Australian football history, as it signifies the symmetry across both the men’s and women’s competitions.
“Fans of will get their first look at their teams – with Port Adelaide, Hawthorn, Sydney and Essendon fans the opportunity for the very first time.”
The Western Bulldogs will face the GWS Giants in their pre-season practice match at VU Whitten Oval at 11.30am on August 13.
