THE NUMBER of VFL curtain-raisers will be raised to nine this season, with the League also set to reduce the gap before AFL matches to ensure the early games receive more exposure.
As reported by AFL.com.au in December, the length of time between senior fixtures and VFL matches will close from an hour to 45 minutes in a boost for supporters hoping to attend.
The total number of VFL curtain-raisers will be increased from six to nine, with four to be held at Marvel Stadium, three at the MCG and two at GMHBA Stadium.
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Carlton, St Kilda and Geelong fans will benefit most from the announcement, with their VFL affiliates the only clubs to be represented three times within the curtain-raisers.
Seven of the nine games will lead into the Sunday afternoon timeslot, while both of the VFL games to be played at GMHBA Stadium will flow into Geelong's Saturday night matches.
In a further positive for supporters, Channel 7 will broadcast all seven of the VFL curtain-raisers set to lead into their Sunday afternoon AFL broadcast matches.
In a statement released on Monday, the AFL's operations boss Steve Hocking suggested the move would also help mature-aged players hoping to earn their opportunity on senior lists.
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"For VFL-listed players, the potential exposure and experience of playing at elite AFL venues provides them with a preview of what could be, with many players hoping to emulate the achievements of the 14 VFL players drafted to AFL clubs in 2018," Hocking said.
"We have reduced the time gap between the final siren of the VFL match and the start of the AFL game from one hour down to 45 minutes to ensure fans can enjoy a day at the football watching their VFL and AFL teams play back-to-back."
VFL CURTAIN RAISERS
VFL Round 2: Sandringham v Box Hill at Marvel Stadium (Sunday, April 14, 11.50am)
AFL Round 4: St Kilda v Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium (Sunday, April 14, 3.20pm)
VFL Round 5: Essendon v Geelong at the MCG (Sunday, May 5, 11.50am)
AFL Round 7: Geelong v Essendon at the MCG (Sunday, May 5, 3.20pm)
VFL Round 6: Box Hill v Footscray at the MCG (Sunday, May 12, 11.50am)
AFL Round 8: Hawthorn v GWS Giants at the MCG (Sunday, May 12, 3.20pm)
VFL Round 8: Sandringham v Northern Blues at Marvel Stadium (Sunday, May 26, 11.50am)
AFL Round 10: St Kilda v Carlton at Marvel Stadium (Sunday May 26, 3.20pm)
VFL Round 15: Geelong v Sandringham at GMHBA Stadium (Saturday, July 13, 3.45pm)
AFL Round 17: Geelong v St Kilda at GMHBA Stadium (Saturday, July 13, 7.25pm)
VFL Round 15: Footscray v Casey at Marvel Stadium (Sunday, July 14, 11.50am)
AFL Round 17: Western Bulldogs v Melbourne at Marvel Stadium (Sunday, July 14, 3.20pm)
VFL Round 18: Northern Blues v Collingwood at the MCG (Sunday, August 4, 11.50am)
AFL Round 20: Carlton v West Coast at the MCG (Sunday, August 4, 3.20pm)
VFL Round 19: Geelong v North Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium (Saturday, August 10, 3.45pm)
AFL Round 21: Geelong v North Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium (Saturday, August 10, 7.25pm)
VFL Round 19: Richmond v Northern Blues at the MCG (Sunday, August 11, 11.50am)
AFL Round 21: Richmond v Carlton at the MCG (Sunday, August 11, 3.20pm)
