THURSDAY night games will be a feature of the new-look VFL this season as the competition released its fixture for the first two rounds of the year.
The VFL, which will include standalone and AFL-aligned clubs from Queensland and New South Wales for the first time, will play 19 rounds this year, with 16 matches and three byes per club.
There are 22 clubs in the competition, with round one to commence on Friday, April 16 when Frankston hosts Coburg under lights at Skybus Stadium and Richmond facing Sandringham at the Swinburne Centre.
>> SEE THE ROUND ONE AND TWO FIXTURES BELOW
The League has achieved over 80 per cent alignment with the AFL fixture, with all Victorian-based VFL and AFL clubs to travel with their AFL club for interstate matches.
The Thursday night fixture block will commence in round two when Greater Western Sydney host Footscray at Blacktown International Sports Park.
While the VFL has provided the match-ups for each round of the season, the dates, times and venues of rounds three to 19 will be released as the AFL's floating fixture comes through.
A 2019 VFL Grand Final rematch between Richmond and Williamstown will take place in round 10.
>> NEW ERA FOR VFL: READ THE FULL STATEMENT
The VFL competition was wiped out last season by the outbreak of COVID-19 in Victoria and the League's head of talent pathways and state leagues Tristan Salter said it was exciting to have the crucial second-tier competition back.
"Last year was devastating to everyone connected to community football. The AFL is very proud of how all VFL clubs, players, officials, supporters and partners managed through a difficult year and kept their communities connected," he said.
"All 22 clubs play a vital role in keeping their suburban and regional networks engaged. They are pillars of their local communities and so important to growing and nurturing our national code."
VFL FIXTURE
ROUND ONE
Friday, April 16
Richmond v Sandringham, Swinburnce Centre, 12pm
Frankston v Coburg, SkyBus Stadium, 7.30pm
Saturday, April 17
Sydney v GWS, Tramway Oval (Lakeside Oval), 12pm
Aspley v Port Melbourne, Graham Road, 1pm
Brisbane v Essendon, Southpines Sporting Complex, 1.30pm
Carlton v Southport, IKON Park, 2pm
Werribee v Collingwood, Avalon Airport Oval, 2.30pm
Footscray v Gold Coast, VU Whitten Oval, 6pm
Sunday, April 18
Box Hill Hawks v Casey Demons, Box Hill City Oval, 12.05pm
Geelong v North Melbourne, GMHBA Stadium, 1pm
Northern Bullants v Williamstown, Preston City Oval, 1pm
ROUND TWO
Thursday, April 22
GWS v Footscray, Blacktown International Sports Park, 7.10pm
Saturday, April 24
Gold Coast v Sydney, Council Training Oval, Metricon Stadium, 10.10am
Carlton v Brisbane, IKON Park, 12pm
North Melbourne v Frankston, Arden Street Oval, 1pm
Southport v Aspley, Fankhauser Reserve, 1pm
Box Hill Hawks v Northern Bullants, Box Hill City Oval, 2pm
Port Melbourne v Sandringham, ETU Stadium, 2pm
Richmond v Casey Demons, Swinburne Centre, 2pm
Collingwood v Essendon, Victoria Park, 2pm
Werribee v Williamstown, Avalon Airport Oval, 7pm
Byes: Coburg, Geelong
