Michael Walters is tackled by Trent Rivers and Jake Bowey during the R19 match between Fremantle and Melbourne at Optus Stadium on July 21, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

THE AAMI Community Series of official practice games got underway this week as we prepare for the 2025 premiership season. 

Geelong and Essendon kicked things off at GMHBA Stadium on Tuesday night, with the remaining practice matches played across six days before the season proper begins on March 6.

Unlike the match simulations in the past week, all AAMI Community Series matches are played under premiership rules - four 20-minute quarters plus time on - although there will be no interchange cap.

>> SEE THE FULL PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE BELOW
>> CHECK OUT THE FULL 2025 PREMIERSHIP FIXTURE HERE

Every match of the AAMI Community Series will also be broadcast on Fox Footy, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel.

The AAMI Community Series will conclude with Fremantle hosting Melbourne in Mandurah on Sunday, March 2.

Check out all the details of the pre-season so far, and who your team will play in the AAMI Community Series, below.

Indigenous All Stars game

Saturday, Feb 15
Fremantle v Indigenous All Stars, Optus Stadium

Unofficial match simulations

Saturday, Feb 15
Western Bulldogs v Essendon, Mission Whitten Oval

Monday, Feb 17
West Coast v Richmond, Mineral Resources Park
Geelong v Hawthorn, GMHBA Stadium

Thursday, Feb 20
Gold Coast v Brisbane v Collingwood, People First Stadium

Friday, Feb 21
Sydney v Greater Western Sydney, Tramway Oval
Adelaide v Port Adelaide, Mount Barker

Saturday, Feb 22
North Melbourne v Melbourne, Arden St
Carlton v St Kilda, Ikon Park

AAMI Community Series

Tuesday, Feb 25
Geelong v Essendon, GMHBA Stadium

Wednesday, Feb 26
Richmond v Collingwood, Ikon Park

Thursday, Feb 27
Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs, UTAS Stadium
Brisbane v Adelaide, Brighton Homes Arena

Friday, Feb 28
Greater Western Sydney v Carlton, Manuka Oval
Gold Coast v Sydney, People First Stadium

Saturday, Mar 1
St Kilda v Port Adelaide, RSEA Park
West Coast v North Melbourne, Hands Oval (Bunbury)

Sunday, Mar 2
Fremantle v Melbourne, Rushton Park (Mandurah), 6:10pm AEDT (3.10pm local)

All AAMI Community Series matches broadcast on Fox Footy, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel
Tickets available here. Members and kids go free (except for Richmond v Collingwood)

Pre-season schedule: Cats face Bombers, WA clubs head south
December 10, 2024

GEELONG will face Essendon in the first official pre-season game of 2025, while the two Western Australian clubs will head to the regions for the annual AAMI Community Series.

The AFL has announced the nine-game schedule of official pre-season games for next year, with West Coast and North Melbourne to get an early look at Hands Oval in Bunbury before the two sides play there for premiership points in round 13.

>> SEE THE FULL AAMI COMMUNITY SERIES SCHEDULE BELOW
>> CHECK OUT THE FULL 2025 PREMIERSHIP FIXTURE HERE

The official pre-season games will be played from February 25 to March 2 and come after the optional, club-arranged match simulations, with details of those to be announced by the clubs.

The premiership season will start with Opening Round, beginning on March 6.

The Cats will play the Bombers at GMHBA Stadium to start the AAMI Community Series on Tuesday February 25, before Richmond takes on Collingwood at Ikon Park the following night.

Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs in Launceston and Brisbane v Adelaide in Brisbane will be played on the Thursday before Greater Western Sydney plays Carlton in Canberra and Gold Coast hosts Sydney on the Friday.

Ed Richards kicks the ball during the Western Bulldogs' elimination final against Hawthorn on September 6, 2024. Picture: Getty Images

The Eagles and Roos will clash on Sunday afternoon, after St Kilda plays Port Adelaide at RSEA Park.

The AAMI Community Series will conclude with Fremantle hosting Melbourne in Mandurah on Sunday, March 2. It will be the Dockers' second hitout of the pre-season, following their match against the Indigenous All-Stars on February 15 at Optus Stadium.

All AAMI Community Series matches will be broadcast live on Foxtel and Kayo. Tickets will be available in February, with members and kids to go free.

While the rules and duration of club-arranged match simulations are up to the discretion of the clubs, AAMI Community Series games must be played in four 20-minute quarters plus time on, as is the case in the premiership season. However, there will be no interchange cap, with clubs able to name a squad of 30 players, including eight on the interchange and four emergencies. There can be only four players on the interchange bench at any time.

Luke McDonald and Aidan Corr celebrate North Melbourne's win over West Coast in round 13, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

The schedule gives Sydney six days between their pre-season game on the Gold Coast and their premiership season-opener against Hawthorn at the SCG on March 7, while the Hawks will have a seven-day break after their pre-season game in Launceston.

After Opening Round on March 6-9, all 18 clubs will feature in round one from Thursday March 13 to Sunday March 16.

The eight clubs that take part in Opening Round will have their byes in either round two, three or four before all 18 clubs take part in Gather Round in round five.

AAMI Community Series

Tuesday, Feb 25
Geelong v Essendon, GMHBA Stadium, 7:10pm AEDT

Wednesday, Feb 26
Richmond v Collingwood, Ikon Park, 7:10pm AEDT

Thursday, Feb 27
Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs, UTAS Stadium, 5:20pm AEDT
Brisbane v Adelaide, Brighton Homes Arena, 8:10pm AEDT (7.10pm local)

Friday, Feb 28
Greater Western Sydney v Carlton, Manuka Oval, 5:20pm AEDT
Gold Coast v Sydney, People First Stadium, 8:10pm AEDT (7.10pm local)

Saturday, Mar 1
St Kilda v Port Adelaide, RSEA Park, 3:10pm AEDT
West Coast v North Melbourne, Hands Oval (Bunbury), 6:10pm (AEDT (3.10pm local)

Sunday, Mar 2
Fremantle v Melbourne, Rushton Park (Mandurah), 6:10pm AEDT (3.10pm local)

All AAMI Community Series matches broadcast on Foxtel and Kayo.
Tickets available in February. Members and kids go free.