The second season of the NAB AFL Women’s competition starts on Friday. Here's a quick guide to each match, including how to get to the four venues.
Carlton v Collingwood
When: Friday, February 2, 7:45pm AEDT
Where: Ikon Park, Royal Parade, Carlton North
Gates: Open at 5.45pm
Cost: Free entry
How to get there
Train: The nearest train station is Royal Park, a 10-minute walk behind Melbourne Zoo. Royal Park is located on the Upfield line, which runs through Melbourne’s northern suburbs. Note, buses will replace trains on the Upfield Line after 8.15pm.
Tram: Ikon Park is serviced by the No.19 tram, which runs between Flinders Street station and North Coburg, travelling along Elizabeth Street and Royal Parade. The nearest stop to the ground is No.16 (Walker Street). Yarra Trams will be running additional services along Royal Parade to accommodate the large crowd expected.
Car: There is limited on-street car parking available around Princes Park. Free two-hour and metered parking is available in surrounding areas (check the street signage). Parking is also available at Melbourne Zoo ($2 for five hours).
Uber: A station will be set up on Royal Parade at the front of Ikon Park to make getting to and from the game easy.
What’s on
Giveaway: The first 1000 supporters to visit the fan van located near gate 6 will receive a free Bri Davey bobblehead. Giveaway starts at 5.45pm.
Make me a Magpie zone: Located outside gates 3 and 4, Collingwood supporters can get decked out in black and white, with face painting, kids' activities and signing sessions with non-competing players before the match.
The ‘Outer Party’: Set up your picnic rug, grab some dinner from one of the food trucks and watch the action on the big screen.
Food trucks: Whether you’re sitting in the stands, or outside on a picnic rug, a variety of food trucks offering Vietnamese and Mexican cuisine, fish and chips and traditional footy fare will be stationed around the precinct.
Tune in: Melbourne singer/songwriter Alex Lahey will be performing during the half-time break.
Melbourne v Greater Western Sydney
When: Saturday, February 3, 5.05pm AEDT
Where: Casey Fields, Berwick-Cranbourne Road, Cranbourne East
Gates: Open at 3.30pm
Cost: Free
How to get there
Train: Casey Fields is located 5km from Cranbourne station.
Bus: Catch the 798, a nine-minute ride from Cranbourne station to Casey Fields.
Parking: Available at the ground.
What’s on
There’ll be face-painting, a DJ with playing some tunes and photo opportunities with team mascots. Kids can take part in a clinic before the game and welcome the players in a guard of honour. Fans can also get involved in a kick-to-kick session after the final siren, with a chance to meet AFLW players and win footballs.
Adelaide v Brisbane
When: Saturday, February 3, 6.45pm ACDT
Where: Norwood Oval, 4 Woods Street, Norwood
Gates: Open at 2pm
Cost: Free entry
How to get there
Bus: There are three bus services that get you to Norwood: routes H20, H22 and H30.
Car: There is unrestricted on-street parking available around the venue. However, expect to walk for a few minutes with an anticipated big crowd. Parking at the venue itself is restricted to officials.
What’s on
Curtain-raiser: Norwood takes on North Adelaide in the opening round of the Statewide Super Women’s League, a Grand Final rematch.
Kids’ fun: Young fans can get their faces painted and have a play in the kids’ zone.
It’s in the books: Hear from coach Bec Goddard, club officials and special guests as the Crows unfurl their 2017 NAB AFLW premiership flag before the game.
To finish off: A kick-to-kick session will be held on the ground after the match, with plenty of giveaways.
Western Bulldogs v Fremantle
When: Sunday, February 4, 4.35pm AEDT
Where: VU Whitten Oval, 417 Barley Street – Footscray
Gates: Open at 3pm
Cost: Free entry
How to get there
Train: VU Whitten Oval is a two-minute walk from West Footscray station on the Sunbury/Watergardens line.
Tram: From the city, catch the No.57 West Maribyrnong service which links at Maribyrnong Road with the No.82, which stops about a 1km from the ground.
Bus: Route 410 (Sunshine-Footscray); 411 (Laverton railway station-Altona Meadows-Altona-Footscray, via Millers Road); 412 (Laverton-Altona Meadows-Altona-Footscray, via Mills Street); 414 Laverton-Footscray); 472 (Williamstown-Moonee Ponds via Footscray, stopping a street away from the ground on Geelong Road); 220 (Sunshine-Gardenvale via city and Footscray, stopping outside the ground in Barkly Street); 219 (Sunshine West-Gardenvale via city and Footscray, stopping around the corner from the ground on Barkly Street); 216 (Caroline Springs-Brighton Beach via City and Footscray, stopping around the corner from the ground on Barkly Street).
What’s on
Fan zone: Activities to entertain the whole family, including a health and beauty lounge, ten-pin bowling, phone charging stations, mechanical surfboard ride, face-painting, footy drills, sports agility course, music, photo booth and a host of giveaways.
Food trucks: Treats from a range of suppliers, with food also available from Barkers Café inside the ground.
Post-game: Fans can take part in a kick-to-kick session after the final siren, with a chance to meet AFLW players and win footballs.
