IT is the dawn of a new VFL Women’s season.

Tomorrow sees the start of the 2022 VFLW season, and after Covid abruptly ended the 2021 season, everyone involved is no doubt itching to get back out on the park. This weekend sees six enthralling matches for fans to enjoy, and for the first time all matches will be streamed.

Casey vs Port
Tomorrow at 10:35am
Casey Fields

Last year’s losing elimination finalists come up against each other to begin the season. These two met in a practice match only last weekend, so both sides do not have much time to change any flaws they may have found in their game plans.

The Borough have a number of handy inclusions, including Bridie Winbanks, Akayla Peterson and Kate Dudley, but will be missing co captain Melissa Kuys through injury.

Casey will also be missing their captain Samantha Johnson through injury, but do have a number of handy inclusions, including Alison Dowler and Rebecca Grant.

Darebin vs Williamstown
Tomorrow at 11am
La Trobe Uni Oval

It is the battle of the non-aligned clubs out at La Trobe tomorrow morning. Since the introduction of the AFLW aligned clubs into the competition, it has always been tough for these two sides, so they will be desperate to win this one and get their season off to a great start.

Former Dogs Simone Ruedin and Angelica Gogos will be among the new faces for the Falcons tomorrow, while the likes of Lori Stepnell and Alana Sarec will be among those pulling on the Williamstown colours for the first time tomorrow.

Essendon vs Western Bulldogs
Tomorrow at 12:30pm
The Hangar

Last year’s Preliminary Finalist comes up against a side who missed out on the finals by mere percentage. Although key figures have said it does not change anything, no doubt the imminent introduction of an AFLW side into the mix will be in the back of Essendon’s minds this season.

The Bulldogs on the other hand, will be desperate to avoid what happened at the end of last season, where percentage was the only thing keeping them out of a top six finish.

Among Essendon’s inclusions for Round 1 is former Dog Danielle Marshall, while the Bulldogs get skipper Riley Christgoergl back, who missed much of 2021 with concussion symptoms.

Geelong vs Carlton
Tomorrow at 2pm
Deakin Uni

Last year Geelong made it all the way to the Grand Final, but Covid denied them a chance to win themselves a Premiership. Carlton on the other hand will be looking for a much better 2022 season after eighth last season.

Sophie Dineen was one of the much talked about new recruits for the Cats, and she will make her debut for the side tomorrow, while Madeline Di Cosmo is among several new faces for the Blues playing their first game for the side tomorrow.

North Melbourne vs Hawthorn
Sunday at 9:30am
Arden St Oval

Both sides finished in the bottom four last year, so will be looking for much better seasons in 2022.

Among North’s new faces on Sunday will be former Seagull Emily Paterno and former Pie Jennifer Guy.

Meanwhile for the Hawks, they have a lost a lot of experience with the retirement of Meg Hutchins, but they have brought in a lot of experience with the likes of former AFLW Dee Tegan Cunningham.

Collingwood vs Southern Saints
Sunday at 10am
Victoria Park

The final round of the match sees the team to beat since 2019 comes up against a Saints side looking to go one or two games better then they did in 2021.

Rhiannon Busch highlights a number of inclusion for the Pies that will be pulling on the black and while for the first time on Sunday. Meanwhile for the Saints, AFLW listed star Kate McCarthy is among a handy list of inclusions for the Saints.