AFLW 2023: League knocks back player bid for longer season

The full AFLW fixture has finally been released, with the league responding to the players’ push for a longer season.

The AFL has stood its ground on keeping the current length of the AFLW season the same as last year but has promised more games will be played “from 2024 and beyond”.

The commitment comes as the full fixture for the 2023 season was released on Monday, 50 days out from the season opener in round 1.

Melbourne and Collingwood will begin the season during the AFL pre-finals bye on Friday September 1, with the Demons set to unveil their premiership flag in a blockbuster clash moved from Casey Fields to Ikon Park to accommodate a bigger crowd.

AFLW players had pushed for a longer home-and-away season during protracted CBA negotiations between the league, with AFLPA boss Paul Marsh saying the deal to keep the season at 10 games before four weeks of finals was struck with the understanding the season could grow next year.

Collingwood will face reigning premier Melbourne in the season opener, which will be hosted by the Demons at Ikon Park on Friday September 1. Picture: Darrian Traynor / Getty Images

“The AFLW players are deeply committed to the growth of the AFLW competition as partners in the game,” Marsh said.

“It is with this objective at the forefront that player leaders have signed-off on the AFL’s release of a 10-game home and away fixture for 2023.

“This agreement has formed part of our CBA negotiations with the AFL and comes with a commitment from the AFL for growth in AFLW games from 2024 and beyond.”

Marsh said there was still “much work to be done” before a new CBA was agreed between the league and the players.

Three interstate derbies have also been scheduled for round 1 in SA, WA and NSW, while the AFLW Indigenous Round will be played over rounds 7 and 8 and the Pride Round returns in round 10.

The AFL confirmed the highest-placed team to make the Grand Final would again earn the hosting rights, with Geelong and the non-Victorian teams allowed to host the game at their home grounds while all nine Melbourne teams would use Ikon Park.

Two matches will be played for the first time in an AFLW season in Canberra, while Gold Coast will play the Bombers in Mackay and Hawthorn will host Richmond in Cairns during the season.

Round 5 will include a match on AFL Grand Final morning between Collingwood and Essendon at Olympic Park, potentially creating a massive double-header for Magpies fans.

North Melbourne will continue its partnership with Tasmania as the “North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos” playing a match in Hobart and Launceston.

SEE THE FULL FIXTURE BELOW