The AFL has today advised all Clubs of amendments to the fixture for Round One and Round Two of the 2021 NAB AFL Women’s Competition to provide maximum flexibility and allow for the season to commence in the safest way possible with current border restrictions in place across the country.

The 2021 NAB AFL Women’s Competition will still kick off on Thursday, January 28 with a blockbuster match between Carlton and Collingwood at Ikon Park.

The Lions fixture remains unchanged, with our AFLW team heading to Melbourne to face Richmond, followed by Geelong at Hickey Park. The Round One matchup at Swinburne Centre has been pushed back to a 2:10 pm (AEDT) start time.

Round Two will see the inaugural Pride Round celebrated across the competition as previously advised, with the two clubs who paved the way - the Western Bulldogs and Carlton - to launch the Round.

AFL Head of Women’s Football Nicole Livingstone said the revised fixture provides the competition with maximum flexibility while ensuring the least disruption for everyone involved in the game.

“We’re really looking forward to the season kicking off with the scheduled Carlton and Collingwood match at Ikon Park, and there is so much to look forward to from that opening night right through to the NAB AFLW Grand Final,” Ms. Livingstone said.

“The adjustments made to the first two rounds provides certainty into the early part of the season and allows the competition to remain as adaptable as possible as the season progresses in a constantly changing environment.”

Ms Livingstone said that while it was great to be able to schedule matches for fans to attend in states that experienced significant challenges in 2020, she reminded the football community of the on-going challenges of the pandemic.

“While COVID-19 continues to impact the community, the health and welfare of our players and the community remains the priority and we remain committed to delivering a full season in a safe manner."

The AFL continues to closely monitor the situation and take advice from public health officials and medical experts and will announce further rounds of the revised fixture in the coming weeks.

Following the nine-round home and away season, the top six teams will participate in a three-week finals series with a single ladder to remain in place for 2021.

Tickets to NAB AFLW matches for Adults / Concession will be $10 with free entry for children under 18. More information regarding ticketing for Brisbane Lions AFLW members will be available this afternoon.