The AFL has today released the dates and times for Rounds 11 and 12 of the rebel VFLW Premiership Season and Rounds Five and Six of the VFL Premiership Season.
The top-of-the table Collingwood will travel to ETU Stadium to face the second-placed Port Melbourne to kick off VFLW Round 11. On the eve of the 2021 VFLW Finals, the Top 6 is taking shape but with plenty of clubs still in the hunt.
The 14-game home and away season will conclude in the first weekend of June before the Top 6 Finals series commences.
The Queensland clash will kick off Round Five of the VFL, live on Fox Footy when the Gold Coast SUNS host Brisbane Lions on Thursday May 13 at Metricon Stadium. The undefeated Casey Demons will host Geelong Cats at Casey Fields before Box Hill Hawks take on North Melbourne in Channel Seven's match of the day ahead of the Melbourne v Carlton AFL match from the MCG on Sunday May 16.
Round Six will see Coburg travel to GMHBA Stadium to tackle Geelong on Thursday May 20 on Fox Footy before Friday night footy returns to SkyBus Stadium when Frankston host Footscray at 7.30pm.
AFL Head of Talent Pathways and State League Competitions Tristan Salter said the league was pleased to confirm the next block of games across the women's and men's state league competitions as both seasons continue to throw up great games exciting fans across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
"The rebel VFLW and VFL competitions continue to generate strong attendances across the majority of games supported by strong broadcast numbers highlighting the appetite for football across the legion of supporters," Salter said.
"The addition of new players into the rebel VFLW competition following the conclusion of the 2021 NAB AFL Women's season has provided great energy and competitiveness into the competition on the eve of the Finals series."
"The new era of the VFL continues to produce the highest standard of state league football in Australia with 19 of the 22 clubs recording victories in the first three rounds of football."
"We have and will continue to remain adaptable as we work closely with each stakeholder to ensure we achieve the best possible outcome for everyone in the game in fixturing games," Salter said.
2021 rebel VFLW Premiership Season - Rounds 11 and 12
ROUND 11
Saturday May 15
Southern Saints vs. Geelong, Trevor Barker Beach Oval, 10.00am
Casey Demons vs. Carlton, Casey Fields, 10.30am
Port Melbourne vs. Collingwood, ETU Stadium, 10.45am
Essendon vs. Western Bulldogs, Windy Hill, 11.00am
Williamstown vs. Darebin, Downer Oval, 11.00am
Sunday May 16
Hawthorn vs. North Melbourne, Box Hill City Oval, 3.30pm
ROUND 12
Saturday May 22
Essendon vs. North Melbourne, Windy Hill, 10.00am
Casey Demons vs Port Melbourne, Casey Fields, 10.30am
Carlton vs. Geelong, IKON Park, 11.00am
Darebin vs. Collingwood, Bill Lawry Oval, 12.00pm
Sunday May 23
Williamstown vs. Hawthorn, Downer Oval, 11.00am
Southern Saints vs. Western Bulldogs, Trevor Barker Beach Oval, 12.00pm
2021 VFL Premiership Season - Rounds Five and Six
ROUND FIVE
Thursday May 13
Gold Coast Suns vs. Brisbane Lions, Metricon Stadium, 7.10pm, Fox Footy and Kayo
Saturday May 15
Aspley vs. Southport, Graham Rd, 12.05pm
Casey Demons vs. Geelong, Casey Fields, 2.00pm
Port Melbourne vs. Coburg, ETU Stadium, 2.00pm
Sandringham vs. Williamstown, WSTBBO, 2.30pm
Richmond vs. GWS Giants, Swinburne Centre, 2.35pm
Sydney Swans vs. Collingwood, SCG, 4.45pm, Kayo Freebies
Sunday May 16
Box Hill Hawks vs. North Melbourne, Box Hill City Oval, 12.05pm, Seven and 7Plus
Essendon vs. Frankston, Windy Hill, 2.05pm, Kayo Freebies
Byes: Carlton, Footscray, Northern Bullants, Werribee
ROUND SIX
Thursday May 20
Geelong vs. Coburg, GMHBA Stadium, 7.10pm, Fox Footy and Kayo
Friday May 21
Southport vs. Gold Coast Suns, Fankhauser Reserve, 7.00pm
Frankston vs. Footscray, SkyBus Stadium, 7.30pm
Saturday May 22
Brisbane Lions, vs. Richmond, Gabba, 11.05am, Kayo Freebies
Aspley vs. Sandringham, Graham Rd, 1.30pm
GWS Giants vs. Port Melbourne, BISP, 2.05pm, Kayo Freebies
Essendon vs. North Melbourne, Windy Hill, 2.05pm
Sunday May 23
Carlton vs. Box Hill Hawks, IKON Park, 12.05pm, Seven and 7Plus
Northern Bullants vs. Werribee, Preston City Oval, 2.05pm, Kayo Freebies
Byes: Casey Demons, Collingwood, Sydney Swans, Williamstown
Matchups for VFL Rounds Seven to 19 has been released with dates, times and venues announced following the release of additional rounds of the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season fixture.
Further broadcast games for Round Five and Six will be confirmed shortly.
This year’s VFL fixture closely aligns with AFL programs given the VFL involvement of AFL-listed players from 14 AFL clubs and the shared resources across all 14 AFL clubs. The release of rounds Five and Six aligns with the current release of the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season fixture and is central to the fixturing of the season.
The confirmation of dates and times of the 2021 VFL fixture in smaller blocks will continue for the short term, as the VFL continues to balance the alignment with the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season fixture.
The fixture will deliver fans a blockbuster schedule of matches and allow maximised broadcast of the game with the VFL to enter the homes of more fans across more channels in 2021.
Crowds will be permitted at all matches unless otherwise advised. Fans are encouraged to follow the VFL and club digital channels to obtain ticketing information.
All accredited AFL media will be permitted entrance to cover VFL matches. For additional media accreditation please email will.carter@afl.com.au.
The AFL would like to acknowledge the support of all industry stakeholders throughout this process and their patience in the construction of the fixture. The AFL also thanks the legion of fans and supporters for their patience and acknowledge the later release of the fixture will provide more certainty to clubs, players and supporters.
The AFL will continue to review all arrangements in consultation with clubs, the various State Governments and respective Health Officers to ensure the health and safety of everyone involved in this competition remains the priority.
