The AFL has today released the dates and times for final two rounds of the 2021 rebel VFLW home and away Premiership Season and Rounds Seven and Eight of the VFL Premiership Season and together the rounds will form the 2021 Sir Doug Nicholls Round.
Both weekends of matches formally celebrate the impact of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and the contributions to Australian Football by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players, past and present and how they continue to inspire generations of Australians.
Clubs will wear specially designed guernseys to commemorate the occasion.
With 10 of the 12 VFLW sides remaining in Finals contention, the final four games present an opportunity for clubs to cement Finals action starting this weekend with the top of the table clash between the unbeaten Collingwood and third-placed Port Melbourne on Saturday at ETU Stadium in Port Melbourne.
Looking ahead, old rivals Collingwood and Geelong headline the Round 13 games when they face off at Victoria Park on Saturday May 29 at 12.00pm in what may be an early preview of Finals action. The Western Bulldogs and Casey Demons feature in a VFL-VFLW double-header at the Whitten Oval on Sunday May 30.
In Round 14, Hawthorn host Geelong at Box Hill City Oval on Saturday June 5 in a game that may have a large bearing on the Final Six. Port Melbourne host North Melbourne at ETU Stadium at 1.00pm on Sunday June 6.
The VFLW competition will have a bye over the Queen's Birthday Long Weekend before the Top Six Finals series commences on Saturday June 19. The 2021 rebel VFLW Grand Final will be played on Sunday July 11.
Following the announcement from the AFL on the expansion of the NAB AFLW Competition, Essendon and Hawthorn continue to showcase their credentials in the rebel VFLW competition with both sides pushing for Finals spots.
AFL Head of Talent Pathways and State League Competitions Tristan Salter said the league was pleased to be able to confirm the final two rounds of the rebel VFLW season and maintained the competition for spots in the Final Six will come down to the final matches.
"The rebel VFLW Competition continues to throw up great stories built on the incredible talents of the footballers and the increased competitiveness of all clubs," Salter said.
"The success and momentum of the 2021 season is a testament to the players, fans, partners and VFLW teams who have supported and driven the standard of the competition."
"I want to thank all clubs, players, officials, umpires, venues and our commercial partners for their continued support of the rebel VFLW Competition and the commitment to the rebuild of the league after a year with no football in 2020. This competition is a clear pathway for girls and women who aspire to join the elite competition and we look forward to the final rounds before the start of the Finals in June," Salter said.
2021 rebel VFLW Premiership Season - Rounds 13 and 14
ROUND 13
Saturday May 29
Hawthorn v Port Melbourne Box Hill City Oval, 11.00am
Collingwood v Geelong, Victoria Park, 12.00pm
Darebin v Essendon, Bill Lawry Oval, 12.00pm
Williamstown v Carlton, Downer Oval, 1.00pm
Sunday May 30
Southern Saints v North Melbourne, Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval, 12.00pm
Western Bulldogs v Casey Demons, VU Whitten Oval, 4.00pm
ROUND 14
Saturday June 5
Hawthorn v Geelong, Box Hill City Oval, 12.00pm
Collingwood v Western Bulldogs, Victoria Park, 12.00pm
Carlton v Southern Saints, IKON Park, 1.00pm
Williamstown v Essendon, Downer Oval, 1.00pm
Sunday June 6
Casey Demons v Darebin, Casey Fields, 11.00am
Port Melbourne v North Melbourne ETU Stadium 1.00pm
Thursday night football continues in Round Seven of the VFL Premiership Season when Frankston host Richmond under lights at SkyBus Stadium live on Fox Footy on Thursday May 27 from 7.10pm. VFL football returns to the MCG for the first time in 2021 when Collingwood face Geelong following the AFL match on Saturday May 29 with the bounce at 4.55pm.
Round Eight will see Port Melbourne host their first ever VFL broadcast match under lights when they host Southport at ETU Stadium on Thursday June 3 at 7.10pm live on Fox Footy.
Saturday will feature the Dreamtime at the 'G match between Essendon and Richmond at 2.35pm as a precursor to the AFL game at the MCG. The Magpies will travel to Preston City Oval to face the Northern Bullants.
After Round Six, all 22 clubs will have had broadcast games across Seven, 7plus, Fox Footy and Kayo with strong broadcast numbers highlighting the appetite for state league football across the community.
"These two rounds of football are a major celebration on the AFL calendar and we are delighted to celebrate the contributions to the VFL by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players, past and present," Salter said.
"We not only celebrate the contributions of these players but also look forward to the blockbuster matches across both rounds of the VFL and the return to the MCG with Collingwood and Geelong and Richmond and Essendon."
"The new era of the VFL continues to produce the highest standard of state league football in Australia and we're delighted with the competitiveness of the league, we marvel at the skill of the players and warmed by the increased support from all football fans."
"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.
The Round Four scheduled match between the Casey Demons and Sydney was postponed and will now be played during Round Six on Sunday May 23 at Casey Fields commencing at 1.00pm.
2021 VFL Premiership Season - Rounds Seven and Eight
ROUND SEVEN
Thursday May 27
Frankston v Richmond, SkyBus Stadium, 7.10pm Fox Footy and Kayo
Saturday May 29
Brisbane Lions v GWS GIANTS, Moreton Bay Sports Complex, 10.05am Kayo Freebies
North Melbourne v Coburg, Arden St Oval, 12.00pm
Werribee v Sandringham, Avalon Airport Oval, 1.00pm
Gold Coast SUNS v Aspley, Metricon Stadium, 1.30pm
Southport v Northern Bullants, Fankhauser Reserve, 1.30pm
Box Hills Hawks v Port Melbourne, Box Hill City Oval, 2.05pm
Collingwood v Geelong, MCG, 4.55pm Kayo Freebies
Sunday May 30
Sydney Swans v Carlton, SCG, 11.30am Kayo Freebies
Footscray v Casey Demons, VU Whitten Oval, 12.05pm Seven and 7plus
Williamstown v Essendon, Downer Oval, 2.00pm
ROUND EIGHT
Thursday June 3
Port Melbourne v Southport, ETU Stadium, 7.10pm Fox Footy and Kayo
Saturday June 5
Aspley v Brisbane Lions, Graham Rd, 1.00pm
Richmond v Essendon, MCG, 2.35pm
Sandringham v Sydney Swans, WSTBBO, 2.05pm Kayo Freebies
Sunday June 6
Williamstown v Carlton, Downer Oval, 12.05pm Seven and 7plus
Footscray v Werribee, VU Whitten Oval, 12.05pm Kayo Freebies
Northern Bullants v Collingwood, Preston City Oval 1.00pm
Casey Demons v Frankston, Casey Fields, 2.05pm Kayo Freebies
Byes: Box Hill Hawks, Coburg, Geelong, Gold Coast Suns, GWS Giants, North Melbourne
Matchups for VFL Rounds Nine 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.
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 Seven and Eight 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.
