AFL 2021 pre-season fixture released

Missing footy? It’s 63 days until the 2021 pre-season competition begins. The fixture is out — see who and where your team plays here.

David Zaharakis of the Bombers fends off Zach Guthrie of the Cats.

Several Melbourne clubs will again host AFL footy at their spiritual homes after the league unveiled its 2021 pre-season schedule.

Ahead of a looming announcement of the first block of the 2021 home-and-away fixtures the AFL has revealed what its Community Series will look like next year.

All 18 clubs will play two matches over three weeks, kicking off on February 18 when Geelong hosts Essendon at GMHBA.

As has been the case in recent years, most matches will be played at suburban and regional grounds.

This includes an AFL men’s game returning to the historic North Hobart Oval for the first time since 1996 when North Melbourne hosts Adelaide.

The game’s best will also head to Whyalla for the second year running when Port Adelaide plays Carlton, Coffs Harbour, where Collingwood will play Sydney, and Albury for Richmond v the Western Bulldogs.

The Dogs , St Kilda and Carlton will play games at their spiritual homes of Victoria University Whitten Oval, RSEA Park and Ikon Park respectively.

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Essendon and Geelong will kick off the 2021 pre-season comp.

AFL Executive General Manager of Broadcasting Travis Auld said the AFL Community Series plays an important role for both AFL clubs and supporters.

“Our two objectives for the pre-season fixture are to give clubs the best opportunity to prepare ahead of the season and to take matches to supporters in local and regional communities,” Mr Auld said

“The AFL Community Series will see football played at local grounds right across the country and we are really looking forward to connecting the elite men’s game to regional and suburban footy grounds, allowing fans to be able to watch their teams in action in their own backyard.”

2021 AFL Community Series fixture

WEEK 1

Thursday, February 18

Geelong v Essendon, GMHBA Stadium, 7.10pm AEDT

Friday, February 19

West Coast v St Kilda, Leederville Oval, 4.40pm AWDT

Saturday, February 20

Collingwood v Hawthorn, Morewell Recreation Reserve, 3.10pm AEDT

GWS Giants v Sydney, Blacktown International Sportspark, 6.10pm AEDT

Sunday, February 21

Port Adelaide v Carlton, Bennett Oval (Whyalla), 4.40pm ACDT

WEEK 2

Friday, February 26

Fremantle v Melbourne, Fremantle Oval 4.10pm AWDT

Saturday, February 27

Richmond v Western Bulldogs, Lavington Sports Ground 3.10pm, AEDT

Gold Coast v Brisbane, Metricon Stadium, 6.40pm AEST

Sunday, February 28

North Melbourne v Adelaide, North Hobart Oval 2.10pm AEDT

WEEK 3

Wednesday, March 3

Sydney v Collingwood, C. EX Coffs International Stadium, 7.10pm AEDT

Thursday, March 4

St Kilda v Geelong, RSEA Park, 7.10pm AEDT

Friday, March 5

GWS v Essendon, Manuka Oval, 7.40pm AEDT

Saturday, March 6

Western Bulldogs v Gold Coast, Victoria University Whitten Oval, 1.40pm AEDT

Carlton v Brisbane, Ikon Park, 4.40pm AEDT

Hawthorn v Port Adelaide, University of Tasmania Stadium, 7.40pm AEDT

Sunday, March 7

Adelaide v Richmond, Flinders University Stadium (Noarlunga), 12.40pm ACDT

Melbourne v North Melbourne, Casey Fields, 4.10pm AEDT

West Coast v Fremantle, David Grays Arena (Mandurah), 4.10pm AWDT

Originally published as AFL 2021 pre-season fixture released