HIGHLY competitive football is expected to reign throughout the rebel VFLW season after the release of the 2022 fixture on Thursday.
The 12 teams will play 14 matches across 16 weeks starting on February 12 and have been grouped into brackets of four based on last year's home and away ladder for the three return fixtures.
It means minor premier Collingwood, Geelong, Port Melbourne and Casey Demons will face each other twice in the top bracket, as will Essendon, Southern Saints, Western Bulldogs and Carlton in the middle group and Hawthorn, North Melbourne, Williamstown and Darebin in the bottom four.
>> SEE THE FULL FIXTURE BELOW OR CLICK HERE TO SORT BY CLUB
Ground unavailability early in the season due to cricket will add to the challenge facing some clubs, with Port Melbourne playing its first seven matches away from ETU Stadium, although, if it can get through that period, it has the chance to charge to the finals with its last seven games at home.
The Saints will travel for seven of the first eight rounds before playing their last six at home, while Hawthorn and Williamstown will be away for the first five weeks of the season.
There will be a general bye on the weekend of June 4-5 before the finals, which will again feature the top six system adopted in 2019, with the rebel VFLW Grand Final being scheduled for the weekend of July 2-3.
>> HOW HARD IS YOUR DRAW? CHECK IT OUT BELOW
"After a huge amount of planning and preparation, all clubs are ready for a big year," AFL State League competitions manager Jennie Loughnan said.
"The past two years have been very difficult for many with so much disruption, but the resilience and determination we've seen from clubs, players, umpires, partners and all stakeholders involved in the rebel VFLW competition shows how much it means to people (and) there is a lot of excitement about the year ahead."
AFL general manager of women's football Nicole Livingstone said: "2022 is such an important year for the game in Victoria after what the state has been through in the past two years, so we are looking forward to a full season of great football and for the VFLW to continue to flourish.
"The competition has made great headway but we can't take for granted the importance of rebounding strongly this year."
>> We rank the difficulty of each club's draw using a rating system where playing Collingwood at Collingwood is the hardest game to negotiate and hosting last year's bottom team Darebin the easiest.
Check out the full rebel VFLW fixture below, and the breakdown of who each team will play twice and the ratings of their fixture.
Difficulty score – 1 point per ladder position when playing at home, 1.5 when away. Highest score is the hardest fixture.
2021 Record: 6-8 (8th)
Fixture: Geelong (A), Southern Saints (H), Essendon (H), Port Melbourne (H), Darebin (A), Collingwood (H), Hawthorn (A), Essendon (A), Western Bulldogs (A), North Melbourne (H), Williamstown (A), Southern Saints (A), Casey Demons (H), Western Bulldogs (H)
Plays Twice: Essendon, Southern Saints, Western Bulldogs
Summary: Extremely tough start with a trip to Geelong followed by three home games against 2021 finalists. Five out of six away from Rounds 7-12 could also be a banana peel, but if they are still in the hunt their finals hopes will be in their own hands with home games against the Demons and Bulldogs to finish.
Difficulty Score: 114 (ranked 7th) 43.5 R1-5, 42 R6-10, 40.5 R11-14, 50.5 R1-7, 68.5 R8-14
2021 Record: 8-7 (4th home and away, 6th after finals)
Fixture: Port Melbourne (H), Darebin (H), North Melbourne (H), Western Bulldogs (H), Geelong (A), Southern Saints (H), Collingwood (A), Williamstown (A), Geelong (H), Hawthorn (A), Collingwood (H), Port Melbourne (A), Carlton (A), Essendon (A)
Plays Twice: Collingwood, Geelong, Port Melbourne
Summary: Copped the hardest fixture in the competition, which means they will need to bank early wins from having the first four and five of the first six at home. Finishing fourth last year means they double up against Collingwood, Geelong and Port Melbourne while the Bulldogs and Saints won't be easy home games either.
Difficulty Score: 128 (ranked 1st) 36.5 R1-5, 45 R6-10, 46.5 R11-14, 61.5 R1-7, 66.5 R8-14
2021 Record: 16-0 (1st)
Fixture: Southern Saints (H), North Melbourne (A), Williamstown (H), Hawthorn (H), Port Melbourne (H), Carlton (A), Casey Demons (H), Geelong (A), Essendon (A), Darebin (A), Casey Demons (A), Western Bulldogs (H), Port Melbourne (A), Geelong (H)
Plays Twice: Casey Demons, Geelong, Port Melbourne
Summary: Will start at short odds to break Darebin's record of 20 wins in a row (the Magpies sit on 18), with statistically the easiest first five rounds and only two finalists in the first six to build up even more momentum. The last eight rounds are easily the toughest in the league though, including two games against Geelong and trips to Essendon, Port Melbourne and Casey.
Difficulty Score: 120 (ranked equal 3rd) 27.5 R1-5, 47 R6-10, 45.5 R11-14, 44 R1-7, 76 R8-14
2021 Record: 1-12-1 (12th)
Fixture: Williamstown (H), Casey Demons (A), Hawthorn (H), North Melbourne (A), Carlton (H), Western Bulldogs (A), Williamstown (A), North Melbourne (H), Southern Saints (A), Collingwood (H), Essendon (H), Geelong (H), Hawthorn (A), Port Melbourne (A)
Plays Twice: Hawthorn, North Melbourne, Williamstown
Summary: A reasonably friendly fixture with a home game against Williamstown and they only face one 2021 finalist in the first eight rounds – albeit a tough trip to Casey Fields. It obviously gets tougher after that, but the Falcons also avoided trips to Collingwood, Geelong and Essendon.
Difficulty Score: 106.5 (ranked 9th) 29 R1-5, 37.5 R6-10, 40 R11-14, 41 R1-7, 65.5 R8-14
2021 Record: 10-7 (5th home and away, 3rd after finals)
Fixture: Western Bulldogs (H), Port Melbourne (H), Carlton (A), Williamstown (H), Southern Saints (H), Geelong (A), North Melbourne (A), Carlton (H), Collingwood (H), Western Bulldogs (A), Darebin (A), Hawthorn (A), Southern Saints (A), Casey Demons (H)
Plays Twice: Carlton, Southern Saints, Western Bulldogs
Summary: Fared the best out of the teams in the middle block, although Windy Hill won't see much action with four home games at The Hangar. Avoided away games against Collingwood, Port Melbourne and Casey and plays only one other finalist twice. Four trips in a row from rounds 10-13 could be a tester if they can't bank early wins.
Difficulty Score: 107 (ranked 8th) 32.5 R1-5, 47 R6-10, 27.5 R11-14, 53.5 R1-7, 53.5 R8-14
2021 Record: 12-5 (2nd)
Fixture: Carlton (H), Hawthorn (H), Port Melbourne (H), Southern Saints (H), Casey Demons (H), Essendon (H), Western Bulldogs (A), Collingwood (H), Casey Demons (A), Port Melbourne (A), North Melbourne (A), Darebin (A), Williamstown (A), Collingwood (A)
Plays Twice: Casey Demons, Collingwood, Port Melbourne
Summary: Dream start to the year with no trips up the highway in the first six weeks, but will still need to be on their guard with Port (3rd), Saints (6th), Casey (4th) and Essendon (5th) making the trip in consecutive weeks from Rounds 3-6. Fail to take advantage of that and things become more challenging, with the last six games being away, including a blockbuster finish against Collingwood.
Difficulty Score: 120 (ranked equal 3rd) 35 R1-5, 57.5 R6-10, 27.5 R11-14, 52 R1-7, 68 R8-14
2021 Record: 5-9 (9th)
Fixture: North Melbourne (A), Geelong (A), Darebin (A), Collingwood (A), Western Bulldogs (A), North Melbourne (H), Carlton (H), Southern Saints (H), Williamstown (A), Casey Demons (H), Port Melbourne (A), Essendon (H), Darebin (H), Williamstown (H)
Plays Twice: Darebin, North Melbourne, Williamstown
Summary: Another team beholden to cricket early – the Hawks are on the road for the first five weeks, including trips to Geelong and Collingwood. But it really opens up from there, and playing last year's bottom two – Darebin and Williamstown – at home in the last two games gives them a chance to finish with a wet sail.
Difficulty Score: 103 (ranked 11th) 50 R1-5, 27 R6-10, 26 R11-14, 58 R1-7, 45 R8-14
2021 Record: 5-9 (10th)
Fixture: Hawthorn (H), Collingwood (H), Casey Demons (A), Darebin (H), Williamstown (H), Hawthorn (A), Essendon (H), Darebin (A), Port Melbourne (A), Carlton (A), Geelong (H), Williamstown (A), Western Bulldogs (H), Southern Saints (A)
Plays Twice: Darebin, Hawthorn, Williamstown
Summary: There can be no complaints from Arden St, with statistically the easiest fixture. They have four of the first five at home, including the other three bottom-four teams, and will get the Magpies out of the way as well. They also avoided away games against last year's top three, so have plenty of hope to climb the ladder.
Difficulty Score: 101.5 (ranked 12th) 32.5 R1-5, 38.5 R6-10, 30.5 R11-14, 46.5 R1-7, 55 R8-14
2021 Record: 10-5 (3rd home and away, 5th after finals)
Fixture: Casey Demons (A), Essendon (A), Geelong (A), Carlton (A), Collingwood (A), Williamstown (A), Southern Saints (A), Western Bulldogs (H), North Melbourne (H), Geelong (H), Hawthorn (H), Casey Demons (H), Collingwood (H), Darebin (H)
Plays Twice: Casey Demons, Collingwood, Geelong
Summary: Finishing in the top four (pre-finals) in their first year means the Borough have been handed a challenging fixture, with double-ups against the others in that bracket including away trips to every other 2021 finalist. Cricket means their fixture hands them seven away games, followed by their seven home fixtures. That's a huge challenge, but a win for the club if it wants to schedule home double headers with the men.
Difficulty Score: 127 (ranked 2nd) 67.5 R1-5, 33.5 R6-10, 26 R11-14, 81 R1-7, 46 R8-14
2021 Record: 8-8 (6th home and away, 4th after finals)
Fixture: Collingwood (A), Carlton (A), Western Bulldogs (A), Geelong (A), Essendon (A), Casey Demons (A), Port Melbourne (H), Hawthorn (A), Darebin (H), Williamstown (H), Western Bulldogs (H), Carlton (H), Essendon (H), North Melbourne (H)
Plays Twice: Carlton, Essendon, Western Bulldogs
Summary: A nightmare start for the 2021 semi-finalists with their first six matches away, including four top-six clubs in Collingwood, Geelong, Essendon and Casey. But if they can get through that, they have easily the easiest finish, with the last six at home including four of 2021's bottom five.
Difficulty Score: 117.5 (ranked 6th) 63 R1-5, 32.5 R6-10, 22 R11-14, 86.5 R1-7, 31 R8-14
2021 Record: 7-7 (7th)
Fixture: Essendon (A), Williamstown (H), Southern Saints (H), Casey Demons (A), Hawthorn (H), Darebin (H), Geelong (H), Port Melbourne (A), Carlton (H), Essendon (H), Southern Saints (A), Collingwood (A), North Melbourne (A), Carlton (A)
Plays Twice: Carlton, Essendon, Southern Saints
Summary: The 2019 Grand Finalists, but they need to make hay early with five out of six games at home from Rounds 2-7. Four away games to finish, including 2021 finalists Southern Saints and Collingwood means they will want to bank those early wins to build momentum as they try to return to the top six.
Difficulty Score: 119 (ranked 5th) 38.5 R1-5, 40 R6-10, 40.5 R11-14, 50.5 R1-7, 68.5 R8-14
2021 Record: 2-11-1 (11th)
Fixture: Darebin (A), Western Bulldogs (A), Collingwood (A), Essendon (A), North Melbourne (A), Port Melbourne (H), Darebin (H), Casey Demons (H), Hawthorn (H), Southern Saints (A), Carlton (H), North Melbourne (H), Geelong (H), Hawthorn (A)
Plays Twice: Darebin, Hawthorn, North Melbourne
Summary: Starting with an evenly-matched clash with the Falcons in Round 1, the Seagulls have a difficult welcome to 2022 with their first five games on the road, including Collingwood and Essendon consecutively. But that means seven of the next eight are at home, giving them a chance to fixture several double headers once the men's competition gets underway in Round 6 – a win for the fans.
Difficulty Score: 105 (ranked 10th) 45.5 R1-5, 34.5 R6-10, 25 R11-14, 56.5 R1-7, 48.5 R8-14
REBEL VFLW FIXTURE 2022
ROUND 1
Saturday, February 12-13
Geelong v Carlton
North Melbourne v Hawthorn
Casey Demons v Port Melbourne
Collingwood v Southern Saints
Essendon v Western Bulldogs
Darebin v Williamstown
ROUND 2
Saturday, February 19-20
Casey Demons v Darebin
Geelong v Hawthorn
North Melbourne v Collingwood
Essendon v Port Melbourne
Carlton v Southern Saints
Western Bulldogs v Williamstown
ROUND 3
Saturday, February 26-27
Carlton v Essendon
Darebin v Hawthorn
Casey Demons v North Melbourne
Geelong v Port Melbourne
Western Bulldogs v Southern Saints
Collingwood v Williamstown
ROUND 4
Saturday, March 5-6
Collingwood v Hawthorn
North Melbourne v Darebin
Carlton v Port Melbourne
Geelong v Southern Saints
Casey Demons v Western Bulldogs
Essendon v Williamstown
ROUND 5
Saturday, March 12-13
Darebin v Carlton
Geelong v Casey Demons
Collingwood v Port Melbourne
Essendon v Southern Saints
Western Bulldogs v Hawthorn
North Melbourne v Williamstown
GENERAL BYE
March 19-20
ROUND 6
Saturday, March 26-27
Carlton v Collingwood
Geelong v Essendon
Hawthorn v North Melbourne
Casey Demons v Southern Saints
Western Bulldogs v Darebin
Williamstown v Port Melbourne
ROUND 7
Saturday, April 2-3
Collingwood v Casey Demons
Hawthorn v Carlton
North Melbourne v Essendon
Southern Saints v Port Melbourne
Western Bulldogs v Geelong
Williamstown v Darebin
ROUND 8
Saturday, April 9-10
Essendon v Carlton
Geelong v Collingwood
Darebin v North Melbourne
Hawthorn v Southern Saints
Port Melbourne v Western Bulldogs
Williamstown v Casey Demons
GENERAL BYE
April 16-17
ROUND 9
Saturday, April 23-24
Essendon v Collingwood
Casey Demons v Geelong
Port Melbourne v North Melbourne
Southern Saints v Darebin
Western Bulldogs v Carlton
Williamstown v Hawthorn
ROUND 10
Saturday, April 30-May 1
Darebin v Collingwood
Hawthorn v Casey Demons
Carlton v North Melbourne
Port Melbourne v Geelong
Western Bulldogs v Essendon
Southern Saints v Williamstown
ROUND 11
Saturday, May 7-8
Casey Demons v Collingwood
Darebin v Essendon
North Melbourne v Geelong
Port Melbourne v Hawthorn
Southern Saints v Western Bulldogs
Williamstown v Carlton
ROUND 12
Saturday, May 14-15
Darebin v Geelong
Hawthorn v Essendon
Port Melbourne v Casey Demons
Southern Saints v Carlton
Collingwood v Western Bulldogs
Williamstown v North Melbourne
ROUND 13
Saturday, May 21-22
Carlton v Casey Demons
Hawthorn v Darebin
Port Melbourne v Collingwood
Southern Saints v Essendon
North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs
Williamstown v Geelong
ROUND 14
Saturday, May 28-29
Essendon v Casey Demons
Collingwood v Geelong
Port Melbourne v Darebin
Southern Saints v North Melbourne
Carlton v Western Bulldogs
Hawthorn v Williamstown
PRE-FINALS BYE
Saturday-Sunday, June 4-5
FINALS WEEK 1
Saturday-Sunday, June 11-12
Qualifying Final, 1v2
1st Elimination Final, 3v6
2nd Elimination Final, 4v5
SEMI FINALS
Saturday-Sunday, June 18-19
Second Semi Final, winner QF v highest EF winner
First Semi Final, loser QF v lowest EF winner
PRELIMINARY FINAL
Saturday-Sunday, June 25-26
Loser 2SF v Winner 1SF
GRAND FINAL
Saturday-Sunday, July 2-3
Winner 2SF v Winner PF