'RAZOR' Ray Chamberlain will be one of the umpires officiating the blockbuster NAB AFL Women's season-opener between Richmond and Carlton on Friday night.

Five-time Grand Final umpire Simon Meredith will be on field for Melbourne v North Melbourne on Saturday afternoon, while the trailblazing Eleni Glouftsis has been picked for Brisbane v Adelaide on Saturday night. Dan Johanson (St Kilda v Western Bulldogs) rounds out the AFL umpire selections for AFLW matches.

This comes as part of the new initiative where AFL umpires will officiate AFLW matches for the first time, as a response to the new Collective Bargaining agreement.

Previously, games had been officiated by a panel of AFLW umpires.

Half the AFLW matches this year will involve an AFL umpire, with the aim to increase the standard of officiating as well as providing a mentor system to the panel of AFLW umpires.

FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game

"After we met with a number of players last year and listening to their feedback on the League and the game, it was clear their desire to involve AFL-listed field umpires into their AFLW matches," AFL football manager Steve Hocking said.

THE TIGER ARMY IS COMING Time to paint Carlton yellow and black

"I am really happy we have been able to make this happen for season 2020, which will not only have a positive impact on the matches, but also the development of the AFLW field umpire group while enhancing the officiating across the competition.

The 2020 NAB AFL Women's Competition kicks off at Ikon Park on Friday February 7th at 7.45pm AEDT.