2023 TOYOTA AFL

PREMIERSHIP SEASON

PAGE A 2023 TOYOTA AFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON

2023 TOYOTA ROUND 6
Friday, April 21
ROUND 12
Friday, June 2
ROUND 18
Thursday, July 13 - Sunday, July 16

AFL PREMIERSHIP
Fremantle vs. Western Bulldogs (OS) (N) Melbourne vs. Carlton (MCG) (N) Adelaide Crows vs. GWS GIANTS (AO)
Saturday, April 22 Saturday, June 3 Carlton vs. Port Adelaide (MRVL)

2023 TOYOTA AFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON

Port Adelaide vs. West Coast Eagles (AO) Collingwood vs. Fremantle (MCG)

SEASON
Port Adelaide vs. Hawthorn (AO)
GWS GIANTS vs. Brisbane Lions (MO) (T) Geelong Cats vs. Essendon (GMHBA)
West Coast Eagles vs. Collingwood (OS) (T) Gold Coast SUNS vs. St Kilda (MS)
Geelong Cats vs. Sydney Swans (GMHBA) (N) Western Bulldogs vs. Geelong Cats (MRVL) (N)
Sunday, April 23 Melbourne vs. Brisbane Lions (MCG)
Gold Coast SUNS vs. Adelaide Crows (TIO) (N) North Melbourne vs. Hawthorn (MRVL)
Hawthorn vs. Adelaide Crows (UTAS)
ROUND 1 Carlton vs. St Kilda (MRVL) Sunday, June 4 Sydney Swans vs. Western Bulldogs (SCG)
Thursday, March 16 Gold Coast SUNS vs. North Melbourne (MS) (T) GWS GIANTS vs. Richmond (GS) West Coast Eagles vs. Richmond (OS)
Richmond vs. Carlton (MCG) (N) Monday, April 24 Essendon vs. North Melbourne (MRVL) (T)
Friday, March 17 Melbourne vs. Richmond (MCG) (N) Byes: Brisbane Lions, Fremantle, ROUND 19
Geelong Cats vs. Collingwood (MCG) (N) Tuesday, April 25 St Kilda, Sydney Swans Friday, July 21 - Sunday, July 23
Saturday, March 18 Collingwood vs. Essendon (MCG) Brisbane Lions vs. Geelong Cats (G)
North Melbourne vs. West Coast Eagles (MRVL) ROUND 13 Carlton vs. West Coast Eagles (MRVL)
Port Adelaide vs. Brisbane Lions (AO) (T) ROUND 7 Thursday, June 8
Essendon vs. Western Bulldogs (MRVL)
Melbourne vs. Western Bulldogs (MCG) (N) Fremantle vs. Sydney Swans (OS)
Friday, April 28 Sydney Swans vs. St Kilda (SCG) (N) GWS GIANTS vs. Gold Coast SUNS (MO)
Gold Coast SUNS vs. Sydney Swans (MS) (N) St Kilda vs. Port Adelaide (MRVL) (N) Friday, June 9
Sunday, March 19 Melbourne vs. Adelaide Crows (MCG)
Saturday, April 29 Western Bulldogs vs. Port Adelaide (MRVL) (N) Port Adelaide vs. Collingwood (AO)
GWS GIANTS vs. Adelaide Crows (GS) Brisbane Lions vs. Fremantle (G) Saturday, June 10 Richmond vs. Hawthorn (MCG)
Hawthorn vs. Essendon (MCG) Sydney Swans vs. GWS GIANTS (SCG) St Kilda vs. North Melbourne (MRVL)
St Kilda vs. Fremantle (MRVL) (T) Hawthorn vs. Brisbane Lions (MCG)
Western Bulldogs vs. Hawthorn (MRVL) (T) Adelaide Crows vs. West Coast Eagles (AO) (T)
ROUND 2
Melbourne vs. North Melbourne (MCG) (N) Fremantle vs. Richmond (OS) (N) ROUND 20
West Coast Eagles vs. Carlton (OS) (N) Sunday, June 11 Friday, July 28 - Sunday, July 30
Thursday, March 23 Sunday, April 30 Adelaide Crows vs. Port Adelaide (AO)
North Melbourne vs. GWS GIANTS (BA)
Carlton vs. Geelong Cats (MCG) (N) Essendon vs. Geelong Cats (MCG) Collingwood vs. Carlton (MCG)
Richmond vs. Gold Coast SUNS (MRVL) Carlton vs. Essendon (MCG) (N)
Friday, March 24 Essendon vs. Sydney Swans (MRVL)
Brisbane Lions vs. Melbourne (G) (N) Adelaide Crows vs. Collingwood (AO) (T) Monday, June 12
Geelong Cats vs. Fremantle (GMHBA)
Saturday, March 25 Melbourne vs. Collingwood (MCG)
Gold Coast SUNS vs. Brisbane Lions (MS)
Collingwood vs. Port Adelaide (MCG) ROUND 8 Byes: Geelong Cats, Gold Coast SUNS Hawthorn vs. St Kilda (MRVL)
Adelaide Crows vs. Richmond (AO) (T) Friday, May 5 Richmond vs. Melbourne (MCG)
Western Bulldogs vs. St Kilda (MRVL) (N) Carlton vs. Brisbane Lions (MRVL) (N)
ROUND 14 West Coast Eagles vs. North Melbourne (OS)
Fremantle vs. North Melbourne (OS) (N) Saturday, May 6 Thursday, June 15 Western Bulldogs vs. GWS GIANTS (MARS)
Sunday, March 26 Richmond vs. West Coast Eagles (MCG) Port Adelaide vs. Geelong Cats (AO) (N)
Sydney Swans vs. Hawthorn (SCG) Geelong Cats vs. Adelaide Crows (GMHBA) Friday, June 16 ROUND 21
Essendon vs. Gold Coast SUNS (MRVL) Gold Coast SUNS vs. Melbourne (MS) (T) Brisbane Lions vs. Sydney Swans (G) (N) Friday, August 4 - Sunday, August 6
West Coast Eagles vs. GWS GIANTS (OS) (N) GWS GIANTS vs. Western Bulldogs (MO) (N) Saturday, June 17 Adelaide Crows vs. Gold Coast SUNS (AO)
Fremantle vs. Hawthorn (OS) (N) GWS GIANTS vs. Fremantle (GS) (T) Essendon vs. West Coast Eagles (MRVL)
ROUND 3 Sunday, May 7 Richmond vs. St Kilda (MCG) (N)
Fremantle vs. Brisbane Lions (OS)
Thursday, March 30 Port Adelaide vs. Essendon (AO) Geelong Cats vs. Port Adelaide (GMHBA)
Sunday, June 18 GWS GIANTS vs. Sydney Swans (GS)
Western Bulldogs vs. Brisbane Lions (MRVL) (N) Collingwood vs. Sydney Swans (MCG) Carlton vs. Gold Coast SUNS (MCG)
Friday, March 31 North Melbourne vs. St Kilda (MRVL) (T) Hawthorn vs. Collingwood (MCG)
North Melbourne vs. Western Bulldogs (MRVL) (T) North Melbourne vs. Melbourne (BA)
Collingwood vs. Richmond (MCG) (N) Byes: Adelaide Crows, Collingwood, Essendon, St Kilda vs. Carlton (MRVL)
Saturday, April 1 ROUND 9 Hawthorn, Melbourne, West Coast Eagles Western Bulldogs vs. Richmond (MRVL)
Hawthorn vs. North Melbourne (UTAS) Friday, May 12
GWS GIANTS vs. Carlton (GS) (T) ROUND 22
St Kilda vs. Essendon (MCG) (N)
Richmond vs. Geelong Cats (MCG) (N) ROUND 15
West Coast Eagles vs. Gold Coast SUNS (OS) (N)
Port Adelaide vs. Adelaide Crows (AO) (N) Thursday, June 22 Friday, August 11 - Sunday, August 13
Saturday, May 13 Carlton vs. Melbourne (MCG)
Sunday, April 2 Sydney Swans vs. Fremantle (SCG) Geelong Cats vs. Melbourne (GMHBA) (N)
Gold Coast SUNS vs. Geelong Cats (MS) Friday, June 23
Brisbane Lions vs. Adelaide Crows (G)
North Melbourne vs. Port Adelaide (BA) Collingwood vs. Geelong Cats (MCG)
Melbourne vs. Sydney Swans (MCG) Hawthorn vs. Melbourne (MCG) (T) St Kilda vs. Brisbane Lions (MRVL) (N)
Fremantle vs. West Coast Eagles (OS) (T) Hawthorn vs. Western Bulldogs (UTAS)
Brisbane Lions vs. Essendon (G) (N) Saturday, June 24 North Melbourne vs. Essendon (MRVL)
Carlton vs. Western Bulldogs (MRVL) (N) Sydney Swans vs. West Coast Eagles (SCG) (T) Port Adelaide vs. GWS GIANTS (AO)
ROUND 4 Sunday, May 14 Fremantle vs. Essendon (OS) (N) St Kilda vs. Richmond (MRVL)
Thursday, April 6 Adelaide Crows vs. St Kilda (AO) Sunday, June 25 Sydney Swans vs. Gold Coast SUNS (SCG)
Brisbane Lions vs. Collingwood (G) (N) Collingwood vs. GWS GIANTS (MCG) (T) Collingwood vs. Adelaide Crows (MCG) West Coast Eagles vs. Fremantle (OS)
Friday, April 7 Gold Coast SUNS vs. Hawthorn (MS) (T)
North Melbourne vs. Carlton (MRVL) (T) ROUND 10 Byes: Carlton, GWS GIANTS, North Melbourne, ROUND 23
Saturday, April 8 Friday, May 19 Port Adelaide, Richmond, Western Bulldogs Friday, August 18 - Sunday, August 20
Adelaide Crows vs. Fremantle (AO) Port Adelaide vs. Melbourne (AO) (N) Adelaide Crows vs. Sydney Swans (AO)
Richmond vs. Western Bulldogs (MCG) (T) Saturday, May 20 ROUND 16 Collingwood vs. Brisbane Lions (MRVL)
St Kilda vs. Gold Coast SUNS (MRVL) (N) North Melbourne vs. Sydney Swans (MRVL) Fremantle vs. Port Adelaide (OS)
Sydney Swans vs. Port Adelaide (SCG) (N) Thursday, June 29 - Sunday, July 2
Western Bulldogs vs. Adelaide Crows (MARS) Adelaide Crows vs. North Melbourne (AO) Gold Coast SUNS vs. Carlton (MS)
Sunday, April 9 Fremantle vs. Geelong Cats (OS) (T) GWS GIANTS vs. Essendon (GS)
Essendon vs. GWS GIANTS (MRVL) Brisbane Lions vs. Richmond (G)
Brisbane Lions vs. Gold Coast SUNS (G) (N) Melbourne vs. Hawthorn (MCG)
West Coast Eagles vs. Melbourne (OS) (T) Essendon vs. Port Adelaide (MCG) Richmond vs. North Melbourne (MCG)
Essendon vs. Richmond (MCG) (N)
Monday, April 10 Gold Coast SUNS vs. Collingwood (MS) St Kilda vs. Geelong Cats (MRVL)
Sunday, May 21
Geelong Cats vs. Hawthorn (MCG) Hawthorn vs. Carlton (MCG) Western Bulldogs vs. West Coast Eagles (MRVL)
Hawthorn vs. West Coast Eagles (UTAS)
Melbourne vs. GWS GIANTS (TP)
Carlton vs. Collingwood (MCG)
ROUND 5 GWS GIANTS vs. St Kilda (GS) (T) Sydney Swans vs. Geelong Cats (SCG) ROUND 24
West Coast Eagles vs. St Kilda (OS)
Thursday, April 13
Western Bulldogs vs. Fremantle (MRVL) Friday, August 25 - Sunday, August 27
Adelaide Crows vs. Carlton (AO) (N) ROUND 11 Brisbane Lions vs. St Kilda (G)
Friday, April 14 Carlton vs. GWS GIANTS (MRVL)
Friday, May 26 ROUND 17 Essendon vs. Collingwood (MCG)
Fremantle vs. Gold Coast SUNS (NO) (T) Sydney Swans vs. Carlton (SCG) (N)
Richmond vs. Sydney Swans (AO) (N) Saturday, May 27 Thursday, July 6 - Sunday, July 9 Geelong Cats vs. Western Bulldogs (GMHBA)
Saturday, April 15 St Kilda vs. Hawthorn (MRVL) Brisbane Lions vs. West Coast Eagles (G) Hawthorn vs. Fremantle (MCG)
Brisbane Lions vs. North Melbourne (AH) Melbourne vs. Fremantle (MCG) Essendon vs. Adelaide Crows (MRVL) North Melbourne vs. Gold Coast SUNS (BA)
Essendon vs. Melbourne (AO) (T) Geelong Cats vs. GWS GIANTS (GMHBA) (T) Fremantle vs. Carlton (OS) Port Adelaide vs. Richmond (AO)
Port Adelaide vs. Western Bulldogs (AO) (N) Gold Coast SUNS vs. Western Bulldogs (TIO) (N) Geelong Cats vs. North Melbourne (GMHBA) Sydney Swans vs. Melbourne (SCG)
GWS GIANTS vs. Hawthorn (GS) West Coast Eagles vs. Adelaide Crows (OS)
Sunday, April 16 West Coast Eagles vs. Essendon (OS) (N)
Geelong Cats vs. West Coast Eagles (AO) Sunday, May 28 Port Adelaide vs. Gold Coast SUNS (AO)
GWS GIANTS vs. Hawthorn (NO) Richmond vs. Port Adelaide (MCG) Richmond vs. Sydney Swans (MCG)
Collingwood vs. St Kilda (AO) (N) Collingwood vs. North Melbourne (MRVL) St Kilda vs. Melbourne (MRVL)
Adelaide Crows vs. Brisbane Lions (AO) (T) Western Bulldogs vs. Collingwood (MRVL)

(T) Twilight match; (N) Night match; (AH) Adelaide Hills (Peramangk and Ngarrindjeri), Adelaide; (AO) Adelaide Oval (Kaurna), Adelaide; (BA) Blundstone Arena (Palawa), Hobart; (G) The Gabba (Yuggera-Toorabul), Brisbane; (GMHBA) GMHBA Stadium (Wadawurrung), Geelong;
(GS) GIANTS Stadium (Wann-gal), Sydney; (MO) Manuka Oval (Ngunnawal), Canberra; (MARS) Mars Stadium (Wadawurrung), Ballarat; (MRVL) Marvel Stadium (Wurundjeri), Melbourne; (MCG) Melbourne Cricket Ground (Wurundjeri), Melbourne; (MS) Metricon Stadium (Yugambeh), Gold Coast;
(NO) Norwood Oval, (Kaurna), Adelaide; (OS) Optus Stadium (Whadjuk), Perth; (SCG) Sydney Cricket Ground (Bidjigal & Gadigal), Sydney; (TIO) TIO Stadium (Larrakia), Darwin; (TP) TIO Traeger Park (Arrernte), Alice Springs; (UTAS) University of Tasmania Stadium (Palawa), Launceston
PAGE A

BROADCAST PARTNERS
FIXTURE AT A GLANCE

2023 TOYOTA AFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON

SA SHOWDOWNS Q CLASH GRAND FINAL REMATCH NT
ROUND 6 & 16

OPENING ROUND EASTER THURSDAY V

ROUND 4 On a Saturday night in Round 6 at
ROUNDS 3 & 20 ROUNDS 10 & 20 GMHBA Stadium – Wadawurrung
and in Round 16 at the
Three matches being played in the Northern
Territory in Rounds 11, 12 and 16 with the
V SCG – Bidjigal and Gadigal. Gold Coast SUNS and Melbourne
playing home games in the territory.
V V
Thursday April 6, 7.35pm SIR DOUG NICHOLLS ROUND
The Gabba – Yuggera – Toorabul
SA Showdown between Adelaide Crows Q Clash between Brisbane and TASMANIA
and Port Adelaide in Rounds 3 and 20, Gold Coast Suns in Round 10,
GOOD FRIDAY Adelaide Oval – Kaurna The Gabba – Yuggera - Toorabul and
Round 20, Metricon Stadium – Yugambeh
ROUND 4
SYDNEY DERBY
ANZAC DAY EVE Eight matches to be played
V ROUND 6 ROUNDS 10 & 11 in Tasmania with Hawthorn
ROUND 1 hosting in Rounds 3, 6, 10 and 22,
and North Melbourne hosting
Played across Rounds 10 and 11 with
Friday April 7, 4.20pm all clubs to host a match. Featuring the in Rounds 9, 13, 21 and 24.
V Marvel Stadium – Wurundjeri V Dreamtime at the ‘G match in Round 10
between Essendon and Richmond on
Saturday May 20 and, Sydney Swans CANBERRA
Richmond and Carlton to EASTER MONDAY ROUNDS 7 & 21 Monday April 24, 7.20pm
hosting Carlton in the Marn Grook match
MCG – Wurundjeri on Friday night May 26 in Round 11.
open the season on
Thursday March 16, 7.20pm
ROUND 4
MCG – Wurundjeri V ANZAC DAY KING’S BIRTHDAY EVE
V
ST KILDA 150TH YEAR CELEBRATION Sydney Derby between GWS GIANTS ROUND 13
and Sydney Swans in Round 7,
Monday April 10, 3.20pm GWS GIANTS hosting three
SCG – Bidjigal and Gadigal and
MCG – Wurundjeri
Round 21, GIANTS Stadium – Wann-gal. V matches in the nation’s capital
in Rounds 6, 8 and 19.

GATHER ROUND WA DERBIES Sunday June 11, 7.15pm

MCG – Wurundjeri BALLARAT
ROUND 5
KING’S BIRTHDAY
ROUND 13

ROUNDS 3 & 22 V Western Bulldogs hosting

ROUND 3 A FESTIVAL OF FOOTY
ROUND 5 APRIL 13-16 ROUND 6 two matches in their home away
Monday June 12, 3.20pm from home in Ballarat in
V MCG – Wurundjeri Rounds 10 and 20.

V V ROUNDS 16-24
SA to host all 18-clubs at once for
the first time with nine matches Western Derby between Fremantle and MID-SEASON BYES FLOATING
Saturday April 1, 7.25pm played across three venues West Coast Eagles in Rounds 3 and 22, Tuesday April 25, 3.20pm now spread over four rounds, and to be confirmed as the
MCG – Wurundjeri in the one weekend. Optus Stadium – Whadjuk MCG – Wurundjeri Rounds 12 to 15 season progresses

PAGE 3
All times are local
THE AFL FIXTURE

2023 TOYOTA AFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON

GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The AFL has sought to develop a consistent and equitable schedule of matches
which connects with the community, assists in growing the game and continues
to build the financial stability of the AFL competition.

IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THIS,

OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES ARE:

1
To develop, as close as is possible,
a fixture which gives all clubs equal opportunities.

2
To maximise attendances at AFL matches in all markets,
ensuring the best possible accessibility for fans.

3
To maximise audiences across our television, digital and radio broadcast
partners, ensuring national exposure for the game.

4
To take into account the specific requests of AFL clubs, players and
other key competition stakeholders, particularly venues and broadcasters.

5
To continue developing the game nationally by scheduling matches
across all states and territories throughout the season.

To ensure the welfare of the players by providing a maximum of one

6 five-day break, but otherwise minimum six-day breaks between
matches for regularly scheduled rounds.
PAGE 4
THE ‘WEIGHTED RULE’ -

2023 TOYOTA AFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON

DOUBLE MATCH-UPS
TOP 6 MIDDLE BOTTOM 6
TOP 6 v TOP 6 MIDDLE 6 v TOP 6 BOTTOM 6 v TOP 6
TOP 6 Minimum 2 return meetings Minimum 1 return meeting Minimum 1 return meeting
Maximum 3 return meetings Maximum 2 return meetings Maximum 2 return meeting

TOP 6 v MIDDLE 6 MIDDLE 6 v MIDDLE 6 BOTTOM 6 v MIDDLE 6

MIDDLE Minimum 1 return meeting Minimum 2 return meetings Minimum 1 return meeting
Maximum 2 return meetings Maximum 3 return meetings Maximum 2 return meetings

TOP 6 v BOTTOM 6 MIDDLE 6 v BOTTOM 6 BOTTOM 6 v BOTTOM 6

BOTTOM 6 Minimum 1 return meeting Minimum 1 return meeting Minimum 2 return meetings
Maximum 2 return meeting Maximum 2 return meetings Maximum 3 return meetings

With the expansion to 24-rounds for the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season, an adjustment
has been made to the ‘Weighted Rule’ to accommodate for a sixth double match-up.
Top Six v Bottom Six matches will now have a maximum of two return matches.
Bottom Six v Top Six will now have a maximum of two return matches.

PAGE 5
FIXTURE PROCESS

2023 TOYOTA AFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON

The key factors in determining the 2023 Toyota To best manage on-field equity for all clubs under
AFL Premiership Season Fixture include: the current competition model, the 2023 fixture has
again been constructed around the ‘weighted rule’,
SEASON STRUCTURE whereby the final ladder from the previous season
In 2023, the AFL’s standard fixture timeslots for is grouped into the top six teams, middle six teams
the home and away season will consist of the and bottom six teams, with double match-ups for
below, with matches broadcast by our partners all clubs managed as follows:
the Seven Network, Foxtel and Kayo. − TOP SIX: Clubs ranked 1-6 on the 2022 ladder
will have a minimum of two and maximum of three
BROADCASTERS return meetings with other top six clubs.
They will have a minimum of one and maximum
Thursday Seven Foxtel Kayo
of two return meetings with clubs ranked 7-12.
Friday Seven Foxtel Kayo
They will have a minimum of one and a maximum
of two return meetings with clubs ranked 13-18.
Saturday Early Foxtel Kayo − MIDDLE SIX: Clubs ranked 7-12 on the 2022 ladder
will have a minimum of one and maximum of two
Saturday Afternoon Foxtel Kayo
return meetings with clubs ranked 1-6 on the
Saturday Twilight Foxtel Kayo ladder. They will have a minimum of two and
maximum of three return meetings with other
Saturday Night Seven Foxtel Kayo middle six clubs. They will have a minimum of one
and maximum of two return meetings with clubs
Saturday Night Foxtel Kayo
ranked 13-18.
Sunday Night Foxtel Kayo − B OTTOM SIX: Clubs ranked 13-18 on the 2022
ladder will have a minimum of one and a maximum
Sunday Afternoon Seven Foxtel Kayo of two return meetings with clubs ranked 1-6.
They will have a minimum of one or a maximum
Sunday Twilight Foxtel Kayo
of two return meetings with clubs ranked 7-12.
They will have a minimum of two and a maximum
This spread of matches facilitates the widest
of three return meetings with other bottom
possible coverage of the game via the outstanding
six clubs.
support of our broadcast partners and works to
While this process cannot take into account form
provide fans with alternatives to attend and watch
fluctuations between seasons, and a significant
games, taking into account competing demands for
performance increase or decrease by any club
supporters’ time, such as work, home, junior and
may impact the fixture for others, the results of the
community-level sport and other forms of recreation
application of the weighted rule to previous season’s
and entertainment.
fixtures demonstrated a relative parity of double

ON-FIELD EQUITY match-ups for all sides in the competition.

On-field equity is a key component of the AFL’s

philosophy. As such, providing all clubs with the
opportunity to be successful and contest the
Toyota AFL Finals Series is a crucial element
of the AFL fixture.
Given the AFL competition comprises a 24-round
season involving 18 clubs playing 23 matches,
it is not possible to achieve complete equity with all
teams playing each opponent both home and away.
PAGE 6
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 4. The provision of two consecutive days off for all

2023 TOYOTA AFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON

players over the weekend following a five-day
Easter again coincides with Round Four of the 2023 break (or other time in that week where agreed
season, which will kick off on Easter Thursday with by player and Club)
the Brisbane Lions hosting Collingwood at the Gabba. 5. In relation to travel:
AFL football will then be played on Good Friday for a. No five-day break as part of a double travel
the sixth time, with North Melbourne and Carlton b. No five-day break travelling out of Perth
to contest a twilight encounter at Marvel Stadium. c. Travel into a five-day break subject to
The Geelong Cats and Hawthorn will then clash players having a minimum five nights in their
in the traditional Easter Monday holiday match home city (where a team has travelled the
to close out the Easter weekend. week before)
The ANZAC Round will be held in Round 6. d. Travel acceptable out of a five-day break
The round starts with Fremantle playing the (noting this would be into a minimum
Western Bulldogs on the Friday night in their seven-day break)
annual Len Hall Tribute game. Melbourne then play e. The AFL also determines that as the clubs with
Richmond on the Monday night, ANZAC Day Eve. the heaviest travel load in the competition,
ANZAC Day follows on the Tuesday, with the the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle,
traditional blockbuster between Essendon and will always alternate home and away matches
Collingwood taking centre stage. Port Adelaide will so that they do not travel in consecutive weeks
host their annual ANZAC match commemorating at any stage. In doing this, all other clubs will
Peter Badcoe VC on the Saturday. have to travel at least once to Western
Melbourne will host Collingwood in the King’s Australia, to play either the West Coast Eagles
Birthday Monday holiday match to be played at the or Fremantle. No other team in the competition
MCG in Round 13. In a new addition to the fixture, travels interstate more than two weeks in
Carlton will host Essendon at the MCG in a King’s a row and where possible, any successive
Birthday Eve match on the Sunday night. travels are accommodated with a trip to the
closest state (for instance, Sydney to

PLAYER WELFARE Victoria or Queensland).

In 2023, the AFL has again elected to schedule
AND TRAVEL LOAD a second bye round at the conclusion of the home
and away season. This week’s break gives the
The AFL competition is extremely demanding
top eight clubs extra time to prepare for the
on its players. From the start of the pre-season,
2023 Toyota AFL Finals Series.
through to the 2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final on
September 30, 2023, teams will play week in,
week out across the nation. Therefore, player
welfare and travel loads are primary considerations
CLUB REQUESTS
Our clubs make annual submissions relating to
in the preparation of the fixture each year.
the fixture, typically centred on travel, commercial,
In 2023 Clubs may receive a maximum of one
venue, event and membership-driven requests.
five-day break between matches but are otherwise
The AFL endeavours to accommodate as many
ensured a minimum six-day break between matches
of these as possible, on the basis that they help
in regularly scheduled rounds.
promote the game and maximise attendances
A five-day break may be used under the following
and television audiences.
parameters (excl. ANZAC Round):
1. A maximum of one five-day break per Club
(inclusive of matches scheduled around public
holidays e.g. ANZAC Day / Eve)
2. A minimum seven-day break on either side
of a five-day break (i.e. minimum 7-5-7)
3. A maximum six-day break for the opposition team
PAGE 7
ATTENDANCES GAME PROMOTION

2023 TOYOTA AFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON

Maximising attendances is a key objective of AND DEVELOPMENT
scheduling and the AFL, thanks to the outstanding
In line with the AFL’s strategic imperatives,
work of our clubs and players and with the
matches have again been scheduled in all states
passionate support of our members and fans,
and territories of Australia.
saw 6,106,629 fans attending the 198 Premiership
The matches to be played include:
Season matches in 2022. The AFL has also scheduled
− Tasmania – Hawthorn will play four home matches
showpiece Thursday and Friday night matches
at Launceston’s University of Tasmania Stadium,
in Melbourne, Brisbane, Geelong, Sydney, Adelaide
while North Melbourne will host four matches
and Perth, giving as many supporters as possible
at Blundstone Arena in Hobart.
across Australia the opportunity to take part in the
− Ballarat – The Western Bulldogs will host two
blockbuster match-day experience.
matches for premiership points in Ballarat.
− Northern Territory – The Gold Coast SUNS will
BROADCAST AGREEMENTS host two matches at TIO Stadium, while Melbourne
will host one match at TIO Traeger Park.
Providing comprehensive coverage of AFL matches
− Australian Capital Territory – The GWS GIANTS
on television is a fundamental component of
will play three home matches at Manuka Oval.
the fixture process, as is ensuring that matches
− S outh Australia – all Round 5 matches to be
are scheduled in accordance with the AFL’s
played in South Australia across three venues -
contractual obligations to our broadcast partners
Adelaide Oval, Norwood Oval and, Summit Sport
in the Seven Network, Foxtel and Kayo.
and Recreation Park in the Adelaide Hills.
Some of the factors that must be taken into
account from a broadcast perspective include:
− Where possible, the best match in each round VENUE AGREEMENTS
to be scheduled on Friday night.
The AFL has various venue obligations which must
− Matches scheduled in timeslots that enable
be fulfilled each year, while many of its clubs also
television coverage of all matches across
have contractual obligations to play minimum
each round, on the Seven Network and/or Foxtel.
numbers of matches at certain venues around
− West Coast Eagles/Fremantle, Brisbane Lions
Australia. All of these obligations must be taken
Gold Coast SUNS, Sydney Swans/GWS GIANTS
into consideration when planning each round of
and Port Adelaide/Adelaide Crows cannot be
matches, ensuring an even spread across the
scheduled to play in the same or overlapping
country throughout the season wherever possible,
timeslots, so that matches featuring local sides
to best accommodate player welfare, club travel
may be broadcast in full on free-to-air television
loads, broadcast programming, attendances and
in the relevant states (regardless of whether
promotion of the game.
the match is produced by the Seven Network
or Foxtel).
PAGE 8
A FAIR AND EQUITABLE DRAW

2023 TOYOTA AFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON

18 23 24
CLUBS MATCHES PER CLUB ROUNDS

PRIMARY FACTORS
CLUB REQUESTS Accommodating, where possible, the requirements and requests of the clubs.

All teams to play each other once and six teams twice, with double match-ups
OPPONENT DISTRIBUTION determined by ‘weighted rule.’

Clubs may receive a maximum of one five-day break between matches, but are otherwise
PLAYER WELFARE ensured a minimum six-day break between matches in regularly scheduled rounds.

TRAVEL Travel load to be spread as evenly as possible between all clubs.

FANS All matches scheduled with fans in mind to maximise attendances and television audiences.

GAME DEVELOPMENT Clubs playing home matches in developing regional markets.

BROADCASTING AGREEMENTS All matches scheduled in line with the AFL’s contractual obligations to its broadcast partners.

VENUE AGREEMENTS Various contracts require a minimum number of matches to be played at certain venues.

DOUBLE CHANCE: FINAL 8 SYSTEM PROVIDES DOUBLE CHANCES TO TOP 4 TEAMS

SEPTEMBER 7-10: Week One – Qualifying & Elimination Finals (4)
2023 TOYOTA AFL SEPTEMBER 15 & 16: Week Two – Semi-Finals (2)

FINALS SERIES SEPTEMBER 22 & 23: Week Three – Preliminary Finals (2)
SEPTEMBER 30: Week Four – Toyota AFL Grand Final

THE FINAL EIGHT: HOW IT WORKS

QUALIFYING AND
ELIMINATION FINALS
1ST QF1 SEMI-FINALS PRELIMINARY FINALS
W

4TH QF1
L

LOSER QF WINNER QF1 GRAND FINALS

5TH EF1 W

8TH EF1
W
WINNER EF1 W
WINNER SF2 WINNER PF1
6TH EF2 W
WINNER EF2 W
WINNER SF1 WINNER PF2
W

7TH EF2 LOSER QF2 WINNER QF2

2ND QF2 L

3RD QF2
PAGE A9