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Double-headers return for AFLW season

3 minute read

The 2020 AFLW season will start with the blockbuster clash between Richmond and Carlton at Melbourne's Ikon Park in February.

AFLW head of football NICOLE LIVINGSTONE speaks during a North Melbourne Kangaroos AFLW Media Opportunity at Arden Street Ground in Melbourne, Australia.
AFLW head of football NICOLE LIVINGSTONE speaks during a North Melbourne Kangaroos AFLW Media Opportunity at Arden Street Ground in Melbourne, Australia. Picture: Robert Prezioso/AFL Media/Getty Images

A double-header with premiership points on the line for the men's and women's teams of GWS and Geelong is one of several innovations featured in a retooled AFLW competition next year.

The Giants will host the Cats at Giants Stadium on Saturday, March 21, AFLW chief Nicole Livingstone confirmed at the release of the 2020 fixture on Tuesday.

It will be the opening round of the AFL men's season and round seven of the AFLW campaign that kicks off with Richmond taking on Carlton at Ikon Park on Friday, February 7.

"To have all four teams there (men and women) will be a really great experience," Livingstone said.

"It also gives us an opportunity to get to more fans ... we saw a lot more AFL fans last season come across to AFLW.

"The feedback from clubs was they would like to see their teams playing on the same day, not only for an opportunity to build their audience but also from a resource and staffing point of view."

Two AFLW games will also be held on the same day and venue that feature men's pre-season clashes.

Collingwood's AFLW team will battle the Western Bulldogs in Morwell on Sunday, March 8, and the inaugural AFLW local derby between Gold Coast and Brisbane at Metricon Stadium will take place on Saturday, February 22.

Livingstone hinted there could be more double-headers announced when the men's fixture for next season is released on Thursday.

With the Tigers one of four new teams added to the competition, the season will expand to eight home-and-away rounds with three weeks of finals, with the grand final to be held on Saturday April 18.

The 2019 season was run across seven rounds with two weeks of finals.

Livingstone reaffirmed the league's strong position on retaining the contentious two-conference system for 2020 and beyond.

New teams Gold Coast and West Coast were allocated to the same conference as their local rivals Brisbane and Fremantle, with Richmond placed in conference A and St Kilda into conference B.

Adelaide will unfurl their 2019 premiership flag at their new home ground, Richmond Oval, in round two when they host St Kilda.

The finalisation and release of the fixture was delayed after tense negotiations over an AFLW collective bargaining agreement for the next three years dragged on.

However, the new deal was confirmed on Monday following clear-the-air meetings between player representatives and the league.

An independent review of the AFLW competition will be undertaken as part of the new CBA.

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