Footy is BACK! Everything you need to know about AFL pre-season games, match simulations

Our long, national nightmare is over. The footy’s back on the telly.

AFL action returns to your preferred screen from this weekend as televised match simulations and official pre-season games loom over the next two weeks.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch your team before Opening Round begins on March 7.

Watch AFL match simulations and pre-season games this February exclusively live on Fox Footy, via Foxtel and Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >

WHO IS PLAYING AND WHEN?

All 18 teams will play a match simulation, with different game lengths and squad sizes (details determined by the teams involved) between February 18 and 24.

Then the official AFL Community Series games will be played between February 27 and March 3.

The relevant squads will be announced at 5pm AEDT the day prior to the match simulations, and at 5:30pm the day prior to the Community Series games.

All games are free to attend but the Community Series matches are ticketed.

The only place to watch every match is on Fox Footy, also available via Kayo.

MATCH SIMULATIONS (Kayo stream also shown on Fox Footy)

Sunday, February 18

Melbourne v Richmond, Casey Fields, 10am AEDT – Recap here

7 periods, 4 x 20 minutes + time on with best 22, 3 x 20 minutes with no fixed bench

Wednesday, February 21

North Melbourne v Collingwood, AIA Centre, 10am AEDT

4 x 25 minute periods plus 2 x 5 minute scenarios at conclusion

Thursday, February 22

Sydney v Greater Western Sydney, Tramway Oval, 10am AEDT

4 x 30 minute periods (may reduce to 25 depending on weather)

Carlton v Geelong, Ikon Park, 11.30am AEDT

4 x 20 minute periods

Brisbane v Gold Coast, Brighton Homes Arena, 5pm AEST [6pm AEDT]

6 x 20 minute periods + time on

Friday, February 23

Western Bulldogs v Hawthorn, Whitten Oval, 11am AEDT

4 x 30 minute periods

St Kilda v Essendon, RSEA Park, 2pm AEDT

4 x 25 minute periods

Port Adelaide v Adelaide, Alberton Oval, 5pm ACDT [5:30pm AEDT]

6 periods, 4 x 28 minutes and 2 x 20-25 minutes (TBC)

Saturday, February 24

West Coast v Fremantle, Mineral Resources Park, 4.45pm AWST [7:45pm AEDT]

6 periods, 4 x 30 minutes, break, then 2 x 25-30 minutes with mostly WAFL players

AFL COMMUNITY SERIES (Fox Footy and Kayo)

Tuesday, February 27

Collingwood v Richmond, Ikon Park, 6.40pm AEDT

Wednesday, February 28

Carlton v Melbourne, Ikon Park, 6.40pm AEDT

Thursday, February 29

Sydney v Brisbane, Blacktown International Sportspark, 4.10pm AEDT

Greater Western Sydney v Gold Coast, Manuka Oval, 7.10pm AEDT

Friday, March 1

Geelong v Essendon, GMHBA Stadium, 5.10pm AEDT

Port Adelaide v Fremantle, Alberton Oval, 7.30pm ACDT (8pm AEDT)

Saturday, March 2

Adelaide v West Coast, Hisense Stadium, 2.40pm ACDT (3:10pm AEDT)

Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs, University of Tasmania Stadium, 6.10pm AEDT

Sunday, March 3

St Kilda v North Melbourne, RSEA Park, 2.10pm AEDT