The AFL is pleased to announce the fixtures for Round 1 of the 2023 Smithy’s VFL and rebel VFLW seasons.
Both competitions will commence the weekend of March 24-26, aligning with Round 2 of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership season.
The 2023 Smithy’s VFL season will again feature 21 teams from Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. All teams who competed during the 2022 season will feature in the competition this year. Casey Demons defeated Southport Sharks in the 2022 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final.
The 2023 rebel VFLW season will again be contested by 12 teams, with Essendon having defeated the Southern Saints to win the 2022 flag. Hawthorn has transferred its VFLW licence to the Box Hill Hawks. The two clubs will remain aligned, with the team to compete under the Box Hill Hawks banner.
AFL Head of State League Competitions, Jennie Loughnan, said: “2023 shapes as a huge year for the Smithy’s VFL and rebel VFLW competitions as we look to build on the success of last year, where we were able to complete seasons and award premierships for the first time since 2019.
“There are many great matches scheduled across Round 1 in both the Smithy’s VFL and rebel VFLW and we look forward to the opening round kickstarting fantastic seasons for both competitions.
“Fixtures for all remaining rounds will be released shortly. This will include scheduling for Rounds 2-14 of the Smithy’s VFL and Rounds 2-13 of the rebel VFLW.”
Broadcast and streaming: All matches in the 2023 Smithy’s VFL and rebel VFLW seasons will be live streamed free via the AFL website (afl.com.au) and AFL Live Official App. Further broadcast details will be confirmed at a later time.
Live scoring and stats: Live scoring and stats will be available via both the AFL Live Official App and VFL App.
Ticketing: Where Smithy’s VFL matches are ticketed, entry is $10 for adults, $5 for concession holders and kids under 15 are free. Some venues don't charge for entry. For VFL matches played as curtain-raisers and curtain-closers at AFL venues, AFL ticketing prices apply.
Entry to rebel VFLW matches is free. Where venues host VFL and VFLW double-headers, entry fees will apply after half time of the VFLW match.
Continue below to view details for Round 1 of the 2023 Smithy’s VFL and rebel VFLW seasons.
Smithy’s VFL
The opening round of the Smithy’s VFL campaign features 10 matches played across three states.
The first game of the season will be played on Friday, March 24 when Carlton and Geelong Cats meet under lights at IKON Park from 7:05pm.
Casey Demons will unfurl their 2022 premiership flag on Saturday, when the reigning premiers host Footscray Bulldogs at Casey Fields.
Saturday’s action includes three matches in Queensland, with the Brisbane Lions, Gold Coast SUNS and Southport Sharks all set to commence the 2023 season at home.
Collingwood takes on Coburg at Victoria Park, ahead of the Magpies’ AFL team hosting Port Adelaide at the MCG, while North Melbourne takes on Port Melbourne at Arden Street Oval.
The opening round of the 2023 Smithy’s VFL season concludes with three games on Sunday, which includes a clash between the Sydney Swans and Box Hill Hawks at Sydney’s Tramway Oval. The match will lead in to the AFL match between the Swans and Hawthorn at the SCG.
Richmond and Northern Bullants clash at Swinburne Centre, while Essendon will host GWS GIANTS at the NEC Hangar.
Smithy’s VFL Round 1
Friday March 24
Carlton vs. Geelong Cats – IKON Park, 7:05pm
Saturday March 25
Collingwood vs. Coburg – Victoria Park, 11:05am
Brisbane Lions vs. Werribee – Brighton Homes Arena, 11:05am
Gold Coast SUNS vs. Williamstown – Austworld Centre Oval, 12:05pm
Southport Sharks vs. Sandringham – Fankhauser Reserve, 1:05pm
Casey Demons vs. Footscray Bulldogs – Casey Fields, 2:05pm
North Melbourne vs. Port Melbourne – Arden Street Oval, 3:05pm
Sunday March 26
Sydney Swans vs. Box Hill Hawks – Tramway Oval, 10:05am
Richmond vs. Northern Bullants – Swinburne Centre, 12:00pm
Essendon vs. GWS GIANTS – NEC Hangar, 2:05pm
Bye: Frankston
*All times local
rebel VFLW
The 2022 rebel VFLW season commences on Saturday, March 25, with four matches scheduled across a bumper opening day of the season.
Darebin Falcons host 2022 runner-up Southern Saints at La Trobe University in the first game of the season, with the first bounce scheduled at 10:00am.
Carlton takes on Port Melbourne at IKON Park, Geelong Cats host North Melbourne at Deakin University, while Collingwood and Williamstown clash at Victoria Park following the Smithy’s VFL clash between the Magpies and Coburg at the same venue.
Essendon and Box Hill Hawks meet in the first of two games on Sunday, with the Bombers set to unfurl their 2022 premiership flag at the NEC Hangar. Elsewhere, the Western Bulldogs will host Casey Demons at Ballarat’s Mars Stadium.
rebel VFLW Round 1
Saturday March 25
Darebin Falcons vs. Southern Saints – La Trobe University Bundoora, 10:00am
Carlton vs. Port Melbourne – IKON Park, 2:00pm
Geelong Cats vs. North Melbourne – Deakin University Waurn Ponds, 3:00pm
Collingwood vs. Williamstown – Victoria Park, 3:00pm
Sunday March 26
Essendon vs. Box Hill Hawks – NEC Hangar, 11:00am
Western Bulldogs vs. Casey Demons – Mars Stadium, 12:30pm
Please click here to view the VFL/W Match Centre.