AFL Community Series 2025 Fixture: Who your team is playing and where in the pre-season

The Bombers will get the first official look at Bailey Smith the Cat in a big clash to kick off the 2025 AFL Community Series. See every game of the seven-day summer footy bonanza.

Essendon will begin its new life without Jake Stringer when it takes on Geelong at GMHBA Stadium in the AAMI Community Series opener on February 25.

The Bombers will enter a brave new world next season when it unleashes gun first-year small forward Isaac Kako and second-year star Nate Caddy in Stringer’s place next season.

The AFL on Tuesday released the fixture for the nine-game pre-season series which will take place around the country from Tuesday, February 25 to Sunday, March 2.

And there will be major intrigue in the opener between the Cats and Bombers as Bailey Smith steps out in Cats’ colours for his first proper hit-out on the eve of the season.

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Jake Stringer will and the Giants will play Carlton in the Community Series. Picture: Phil Hillyard

And Bailey Smith is set to officially step out as a Cat for the first time against the Bombers. Picture: Michael Klein

In the other games, the youth of Richmond will take on the age and experience of Collingwood at Ikon Park on Wednesday, February 26, while Hawthorn Sam Mitchell will test his new key defensive pairing against Western Bulldogs’ twin towers Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Aaron Naughton on Thursday, February 27 in Launceston.

Premier Brisbane Lions will attempt to fill its Joe Daniher void against Adelaide on the same night at Brighton Homes Arena, and GWS recruit Stringer will stand alongside Jesse Hogan against Carlton on Friday, February 28 in Canberra.

The Suns host Sydney in Dean Cox’s first time in charge of the Swans at Gold Coast and St Kilda will hope Jack Macrae can start strong against Port Adelaide on Saturday, March 1 at Moorabbin.

West Coast host North Melbourne in Bunbury later that evening and Fremantle will unveil new recruit Shai Bolton against Melbourne in Christian Petracca’s first serious hit-out since his life-threatening injuries at Rushton Park.

Teams will play four 20-minute quarters plus time on as per the premiership season and field a squad of 30 players, including eight on the bench and four emergencies.

The league will also announce the practice match simulation games, which will involve more flexible timings where clubs can arrange contests against a rival they select earlier in February.

Details about the practice matches will be announced in the new year.

All AAMI Community Series matches will be broadcast live and exclusive on Fox Footy and Kayo.

Members and kids can attend the matches for free.

Originally published as AFL Community Series 2025 Fixture: Who your team is playing and where in the pre-season