The AFL's 2022 season is just around the corner and pre-season preparations are starting with the AAMI Community Series and practice matches.
Every club will play two matches as they seek to get their team into the best shape for an assault on the AFL Premiership.
Sporting News analyses everything you need to know about the AFL's 2022 pre-season plans.
How does the AAMI Community Series work?
Just like 2021, the AAMI Community Series will again only be one 'competitive' match essentially a glorified practice game - leading into the start of the AFL season.
However, each team will play a single practice match prior to this during the last two weekends of February - with dates to be confirmed.
There is no official winner of the AFL pre-season competition with the governing body scrapping the knockout format after Brisbane won in 2013.
Supporters do keep an unofficial ladder of the series however, with St Kilda topping it in 2021.
Supercoach tips from AFL pre-season
Sporting News will list Supercoach tips for each pre-season match after its conclusion.
AFL 2022 AAMI Community Series and Pre-Season Practice Matches
Pre-season practice matches (to be played in either of last two weekends in February)
| Date | Match | Time (AEDT) + Broadcaster | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|
| TBC | Essendon vs. Western Bulldogs | TBC | TBC |
| TBC | North Melbourne vs. Melbourne | TBC | TBC |
| TBC | Sydney vs. GWS Giants | TBC | TBC |
| TBC | Carlton vs. St Kilda | TBC | TBC |
| TBC | Collingwood vs. Hawthorn | TBC | TBC |
| TBC | Geelong vs. Richmond | TBC | TBC |
| TBC | Brisbane vs. Gold Coast | TBC | TBC |
| TBC | West Coast vs. Adelaide | TBC | TBC |
| TBC | Fremantle vs. Port Adelaide | TBC | TBC |
AAMI Community Series fixture/games
| Date | Match | Time (AEDT) + Broadcaster | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu Mar 3 | Carlton vs. Melbourne | 7.20pm (Fox Footy, Kayo Sports) | Marvel Stadium |
| Fri Mar 4 | Western Bulldogs vs. Brisbane | 7.20pm (Fox Footy, Kayo Sports) | Marvel Stadium |
| Sat Mar 5 | Hawthorn vs. Richmond | 1.10pm (Fox Footy, Kayo Sports) | Tasmania |
| Sat Mar 5 | Adelaide vs. Port Adelaide | 4.10pm (Fox Footy, Kayo Sports) | Richmond Oval |
| Sat Mar 5 | Essendon vs. St Kilda | 7.10pm (Fox Footy, Kayo Sports) | Marvel Stadium |
| Sun Mar 6 | GWS Giants vs. Collingwood | 12.40pm (Fox Footy, Kayo Sports) | Giants Stadium |
| Sun Mar 6 | Sydney vs. North Melbourne | 4.20pm (Fox Footy, Kayo Sports) | Giants Stadium |
| Sun Mar 6 | West Coast vs. Fremantle | 7.10pm (Fox Footy, Kayo Sports) | Fremantle Oval |
| Mon Mar 7 | Gold Coast vs. Geelong | 7.40pm (Fox Footy, Kayo Sports) | Metricon Stadium |