The AFL has launched the 2022 rebel VFL Women's competition with match-ups for the full season announced. Times and venues for all rounds, including round one which takes place on the weekend of 12/13 February, are to be confirmed.
Given the weekly changes to the AFLW fixture caused by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and with the VFLW and AFLW competitions closely linked through the competing clubs, it is necessary to wait to confirm the VFLW round one fixture when the AFLW fixture for that week is locked in.
In 2022 the premier women's state league competition in Victoria will comprise a 14 round home-and-away fixture, before six teams contest a four-week finals series culminating in the VFLW Grand Final on the weekend of 2/3 July, pending any necessary changes to the fixture.
The round one line up of matches features Darebin v Williamstown, Essendon v Western Bulldogs, Geelong v Carlton, North Melbourne v Hawthorn, Collingwood v Southern Saints and Casey Demons v Port Melbourne.
The AFL will confirm specific times and venues for each round of matches as early as possible. There are two competition byes built into the fixture - after round five (19/20 March) and after round eight (16/17 April). There will also be a pre-finals bye on 4/5 June.
For a second season the league will be named the rebel VFLW – with the iconic Australian brand and leading sports retailer continuing its support of the highest-ranked women's state league in Victoria.
Rebel VFLW 2022 - Round One, Saturday 12 February and Sunday 13 February (venues and times TBC)
Darebin v Williamstown
Essendon v Western Bulldogs
Geelong v Carlton
North Melbourne vs. Hawthorn
Collingwood v Southern Saints
Casey Demons v Port Melbourne
CLICK HERE to view the 2022 fixture.
While COVID-19 continues to impact the community, the health and welfare of all involved remains the priority and all matches will operate in a safe manner based on advice of respective governments, public health officials and medical experts. Protocols designed to protect those involved in VFLW have been communicated to clubs.
Like most football competitions across Victoria last year, the VFLW 2021 season was called off prematurely, with only the Grand Final between Collingwood and Geelong still to be played. This decision was made when it became apparent that the state's COVID situation and government restrictions would not allow the game to be staged within a reasonable timeframe. Collingwood were recognised as the rebel VFLW minor premiers for 2021 after their undefeated season. With the 2020 season cancelled, the last VFLW premiership was won by the Magpies in 2019.
The rebel VFLW competition will run alongside the NAB AFLW season and NAB League Girls, which both commenced in January. This means the full talent pathway for women and girls football from under 19s onwards will be on show at the same time.
Entry to all rebel VFLW matches throughout the season is free. Streaming and coverage arrangements will be confirmed.
Of the 12 VFLW clubs, 10 are aligned to AFL/W clubs – Carlton, Casey Demons (Melbourne), Collingwood, Essendon, Geelong, Hawthorn, North Melbourne, Port Melbourne (Richmond), Southern Saints (St Kilda) and Western Bulldogs. Darebin and Williamstown field standalone VFLW teams.
In the event of fixture changes forcing teams to play a different number of games at any time during the season, a match ratio system will be used to determine ladder positions.
The VFL season is set to commence on the weekend of March 26/27, with the fixture to be released closer to the start of the season.
