Collingwood and Carlton set to kick off AFLW again as ruling on expansion imminent

THE AFL is expected to stick with the winning formula when it announces the AFLW fixture as a ruling on expansion is set for Monday.

A lockout crowd at Ikon Park watch the opening AFLW clash between Collingwood and Carlton. Picture: Getty Images

CARLTON and Collingwood are expected to again open the AFLW season on a Friday night in February as the league shies away from an Australia Day showdown.

And a ruling on expansion is set for Monday when the AFL Commission meets again to consider which clubs will enter the league in 2019.

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Collingwood played Carlton in the opening match of the AFLW in front of a sellout crowd at Ikon Park.

The commission delayed its decision last month with eight clubs seeking a berth.

Geelong and West Coast are favourites to receive a team with North Melbourne, St Kilda and Richmond also considered strong contenders as they hold provisional licences having missed out on the original intake.

Carlton gun Brianna Davey celebrates with the after the Blues’ Round 1 victory in AFLW01.

Essendon, Hawthorn and the Gold Coast have also made strong submissions to join the competition after next season.

At least two clubs will join the eight foundation teams in 2019.

The AFL pondered an Australia Day start for AFLW02 — crossing over with the Australian Open tennis — but the season will instead kick off on Friday, February 2.

The league is expected to stick with the winning formula of the debut season which saw a lockout at Ikon Park as the Blues toppled the Magpies.

Carlton captain Lauren Arnell led her team well in AFLW01

Fremantle will be the first team to play at the new Perth Stadium when it clashes with either Carlton or Collingwood on February 10.

The full fixture is to be finalised for an October 27 release.