THE AFL has released the fixture for Week One of the 2021 NAB AFL Women’s Finals Series while announcing ticket prices will remain at $10 in Week One and Two of the Finals Series.

For the first time in the competition’s five-year history, 14 teams participated in a nine-round home-and-away season with the top six teams set to embark on a three-week Finals Series beginning Saturday, April 3.

After finishing the Premiership Season in the top two positions on the ladder, Minor Premier the Adelaide Crows, and second-placed Brisbane Lions, will have a break in Week One of the Finals Series before they each host a Preliminary Final in Week Two of the finals.

Fourth-placed Melbourne will take on fifth-placed Fremantle in a home Qualifying Final B at Casey Fields on Saturday, April 3 at 1:05pm AEDT.

Similarly, after finishing third on the ladder, Collingwood will host sixth-placed North Melbourne in Qualifying Final A at Victoria Park on Saturday, April 3 at 3:10pm AEDT.

Week Two of the Finals Series will see the winner of Melbourne v Fremantle play against the Adelaide Crows in Preliminary Final 1 while the winner of Collingwood v North Melbourne will face the Brisbane Lions in Preliminary Final 2.

AFL Chief Executive Officer Gillon McLachlan said the league was looking forward to the 2021 NAB AFL Women’s Finals Series and was proud to be able to freeze ticket prices for Week One and Week Two of the Finals Series.

"The 2021 NAB AFL Women’s Competition has been the best season yet and this Finals Series shapes up to be an extremely competitive one, where any of the top six teams can win,” Mr McLachlan said.

It’s been great to see the remarkable skills on display from all players across the competition this year. The emerging talent is exciting while the more experienced players have continued to impact the competition.

“We have frozen ticket prices for Week One and Two of the Finals Series – our AFLW fans have turned out it in huge numbers during the season and we are encouraging everyone to come and see our best performing teams compete for the Premiership.

"We remain committed to completing the 2021 NAB AFLW season and awarding a Premier and we thank everyone in the W community for their support of the season so far.”

McLachlan also reminded the AFLW football community of the on-going challenges of the pandemic and said the league would continue to take the advice of respective governments and health officials.

“While the on-going pandemic continues to impact us all, the health and welfare of our players and the wider community remains the priority and we will deliver the Finals Series in a safe manner anchored in the advice of respective governments, public health officials and medical experts,” Mr McLachlan said.

Fremantle fans at the round nine clash against North Melbourne. Picture: AFL Photos

AFL General Manager Women’s Football Nicole Livingstone said she was pleased to be able to confirm the arrangements for the first week of what shapes to be a thrilling 2021 NAB AFL Women’s Finals Series. 

“We have seen an outstanding fifth season of NAB AFLW and the Finals Series is set to be an equally exciting and unpredictable three weeks of football,” Ms Livingstone said. 

“We are proud of the commitment from everyone across the competition for the role they have played to achieve a full home-and-away season despite the many challenges along the way and we are looking forward to the three-weeks of finals and awarding a Premier. 

“This year we’ve seen the progression of the NAB AFLW Competition across so many aspects of the game. On the field, supporters have been able to watch a more open and attacking style of football in season five of the competition, while the skills and athleticism of our senior players combined with the immediate impact of emerging talent has contributed to yet another successful NAB AFLW season. 

“Off the field, we’ve seen Club membership numbers, attendance at games, and viewers at home all continue to grow year on year, displaying the progression of the NAB AFLW Competition. 

“We acknowledge and commend those involved for the role they’ve played this season; Clubs, players and the AFLPA, umpires, venues, governments, ticket agents, supporters and our broadcast and commercial partners for their understanding and continued support of the NAB AFL Women’s Competition.

"With a ticketing price freeze for the first two-weeks of the Finals Series, we look forward to seeing all supporters at the footy this weekend."

Supporters attending NAB AFL Women’s Finals Series matches in Weeks One and Two can purchase Finals tickets for the standard $10 (Adult / Concession), while children under 18-years-of-age can attend for free, as per the 2021 NAB AFL Women’s Premiership Season.

Eligible competing club AFLW Members can purchase tickets via a pre-sale at 2:00pm local time, Wednesday March 31, followed by a General Public sale at 3:00pm, Wednesday March 31.

Tickets for Collingwood v North Melbourne (Qualifying Final A) will be available via Ticketek while tickets for Melbourne v Fremantle (Qualifying Final B) can be purchased via Ticketmaster. 

NAB AFL Women’s Finals Series Week One

Saturday, April 3
Melbourne v Fremantle at Casey Fields, 1.05pm AEDT
Collingwood v North Melbourne at Victoria Park, 3.10pm AEDT

Crowds will be permitted at all matches in Week One of the 2021 NAB AFL Women’s Finals Series unless otherwise advised.

All 2021 NAB AFL Women’s Finals Series matches will be broadcast live on the Seven Network, FOX FOOTY, Kayo, and via the AFL Live Official App, thanks to Telstra. Matches will also be streamed live via womens.afl and the AFLW Live Official App.

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