TWO weeks of competitive preseason action was announced by the AFL on Friday, with the AFL Women’s match simulation training and practice match opponents, dates, times and venues all locked in. On August 11-12, all 18 clubs will take part in a match simulation training against an opponent, while a week later on August 18-20, full blown practice matches will take place.

Match simulation training is less formal than practice matches, with each contest usually featuring a pre-determined amount of periods and timings that are not aligned with actual matches. Practice matches on the other hand, are designed to mimic an AFL Women’s match in order to be best prepared for the season start two weeks later on September 1.

Brisbane hosts both of its matches at Brighton Homes Arena, the ground of last year’s grand final in Springfield, while Port Adelaide and West Coast also host both of their contests at Alberton Oval and Mineral Resources Park respectively. Fremantle, North Melbourne, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Hawthorn and Western Bulldogs are the six other teams to remain in their home state across the fortnight.

St Kilda and Richmond play both Friday night matches, first against each other on August 11 at RSEA Park, before the Saints head to Alberton Oval the following week, and the Tigers head north to face the GIANTS in Blacktown. Other features of the first fortnight include a Western Derby on August 12, rivals Brisbane and Adelaide meeting on the same day, and a Q-Clash on August 19.

MATCH SIMULATION TRAINING: (all times local)

Friday, August 11:

St Kilda vs. Richmond @ RSEA PARK, 4:30pm

Saturday, August 12:

Essendon vs. North Melbourne @ Windy Hill, 10am
Gold Coast vs. Sydney @ Heritage Bank Stadium, 10am
Port Adelaide vs. GWS GIANTS @ Alberton Oval, 10am
West Coast vs. Fremantle @ Mineral Resources Park, 9:30am
Carlton vs. Melbourne @ Ikon Park, 12pm
Hawthorn vs. Western Bulldogs @ Kinetic Stadium, 1pm
Brisbane vs. Adelaide @ Brighton Homes Arena, 2pm
Collingwood vs. Geelong @ Victoria Park, 3pm

PRACTICE MATCHES: (all times local)

Friday, August 18:

GWS GIANTS vs. Richmond @ Blacktown International Sports Park, 4:05pm
Port Adelaide vs. St Kilda @ Alberton Oval, 7:10pm

Saturday, August 19:

Brisbane vs. Gold Coast @ Brighton Homes Arena, 10:35pm
Fremantle vs. Collingwood @ Victor George Kallis Oval, 11:05am
Western Bulldogs vs. North Melbourne @ Arden Street, 12:05pm
Sydney vs. Carlton @ Tramway Oval, 1:05pm
Melbourne vs. Hawthorn @ Casey Fields, 2:05pm
Adelaide vs. Geelong @ Adelaide Oval, 4:10pm

Sunday, August 20:

West Coast vs. Essendon @ Mineral Resources Park, 12:35pm