TAKING elite football to country areas is what the JLT Community Series is all about.
It was fitting then that the 2018 pre-season competition was on Thursday launched in the South Australian town of Strathalbyn, population 7000.
The Strathalbyn Football Club will host the biggest game in its 139-year history when Adelaide takes on Fremantle on Sunday, February 25.
The ground's playing surface has been relaid and new goal-posts have been installed to accommodate the fixture.
At a visit to the ground on Thursday, JLT Public Sector - CEO Gary Okely and AFL general manager of clubs and broadcasting Travis Auld highlighted that leaving a legacy for country clubs was an important part of the series.
"When we were considering the structure of the pre-season competition, the first thing we wanted to do was maintain our connection to the community," Auld said.
"What we see here today is replicated right around the country.
"The opportunity for people who play grassroots football around the country to still connect with the AFL, because not everyone can get to one of the home and away venues, is really important."
A capacity crowd of 8000 is tipped to pack into Strathalbyn Oval.
Strathalbyn Football Club president Brenton Smith said having the JLT Community Series game would benefit the entire community.
"We set out some years ago to attract an AFL game here and after all the work that has gone into the ground, the buzz has really started to come to the fore," Smith said.
"Not just in Strathalbyn, right down through the whole Fleurieu Peninsula, and even in Adelaide, they'll be a lot of people in Adelaide looking forward to getting up here.
"It's a real buzz for the town and has put the whole region on the map."
Along with Strathalbyn, other regional areas that will host JLT Community Series games include Wangaratta, Ballarat, Townsville, Moe and Colac.
The JLT Community Series kicks off between North Melbourne and Melbourne at Kingston Twin Ovals in Hobart on February 24.
All 18 clubs will play two games over three weeks, with the competition reduced by one game this year with the introduction of AFLX from February 15-17.
"What you'll see now with the three games, that third game you tended to have the younger players and the rookies get a run, so I'd imagine the more experienced players will play the two games to prepare," Auld said.
"It's really important to hit the ground running for round one, so some clubs feel like one's enough, some feel like three's enough.
"You'll never keep everyone happy in our competition, but two feels like a good balance."
Tickets to the JLT Community Series go on sale on Monday to club and AFL members, and on Tuesday to the general public.
AFL and club members with game access have free entry to JLT Community Series games in which their club is competing.
