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 has everything you need to know about the AFL's 2022 pre-season plans.
AFL 2022 Pre-Season Fixture
AAMI Community Series fixture/games
| Date | Match | Time (AEDT) + Broadcaster | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu Mar 3 | Carlton 15.8 (98) defeated Melbourne 14.9 (93) | 7.20pm (Fox Footy, Kayo Sports) | Marvel Stadium |
| Fri Mar 4 | Brisbane 12.14 (86) defeated Western Bulldogs 11.14 (80) | 7.20pm (Fox Footy, Kayo Sports) | Marvel Stadium |
| Sat Mar 5 | Richmond 14.10 (94) defeated Hawthorn 9.15 (69) | 1.10pm (Fox Footy, Kayo Sports) | Tasmania |
| Sat Mar 5 | Port Adelaide 17.9 (111) defeated Adelaide (11.8 (74) | 4.10pm (Fox Footy, Kayo Sports) | Richmond Oval |
| Sat Mar 5 | St Kilda 12.10 (82) defeated Essendon (9.17 (71) | 7.10pm (Fox Footy, Kayo Sports) | Marvel Stadium |
| Sun Mar 6 | GWS Giants 15.10 (100) defeated Collingwood 8.11 (59) | 12.40pm (Fox Footy, Kayo Sports) | Giants Stadium |
| Sun Mar 6 | Sydney 12.10 (82) defeated North Melbourne 7.9 (51) | 4.20pm (Fox Footy, Kayo Sports) | Giants Stadium |
| Sun Mar 6 | Fremantle 11.13 (79) defeated West Coast 10.6 (66) | 7.10pm (Fox Footy, Kayo Sports) | Fremantle Oval |
| Mon Mar 7 | Gold Coast 13.7 (95) defeated Geelong 11.6 (72) | 7.40pm (Fox Footy, Kayo Sports) | Metricon Stadium |
Supercoach tips from AFL pre-season
Check back for Supercoach tips following the conclusion of each pre-season match.
Pre-season practice matches (Feb 23-26)
| Date | Match | Time (AEDT) + Broadcaster | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed Feb 23 | Essendon (12.9 81) defeated Western Bulldogs (11.9 75) | 3pm (Kayo Sports) | The Hangar |
| Thu Feb 24 | Carlton 9.13 (67) defeated St Kilda 8.12 (60) | 10am (Kayo Sports) | IKON Park |
| Thu Feb 24 | Melbourne 20.12 (132) defeated North Melbourne 6.8 (44) | 11am (Kayo Sports) | Casey Fields |
| Fri Feb 25 | Brisbane 21.11 (137) defeated Adelaide 7.7 (49) | 11am (Kayo Sports) | Metricon Stadium |
| Fri Feb 25 | Gold Coast 11.10 (76) defeated Port Adelaide 6.19 (55) | 3pm (Kayo Sports) | Metricon Stadium |
| Fri Feb 25 | Collingwood 22.9 (141) draw with Hawthorn 19.27 (141) | 4pm (Kayo Sports) | Morwell Recreation Reserve |
| Fri Feb 25 | GWS Giants 18.18 (126) defeated Sydney 13.17 (95) | 6pm (Kayo Sports) | Lavington Sports Ground |
| Fri Feb 25 | Fremantle 22.9 (141) defeated West Coast 6.8 (44) | 7.40pm (Kayo Sports) | Optus Stadium |
| Sat Feb 26 | Geelong 12.20 (92) lost Richmond 17.8 (110) | 1pm (Kayo Sports) | GMHBA Stadium |
Supercoach tips from the practice matches
Essendon 12.9 85 defeated Western Bulldogs 11.9 75
Adam Treloar (MID/FWD - $483,200) could be finally over his injury issues and ready to settle at the kennel with an eye-catching performance through the first three quarters.
Tex Wanganeen, who was awarded a place on the Bombers list following the match, put his hand up for a contract with a couple of goals in the last quarter - including the match-winner.
Carlton 9.13 (67) defeated St Kilda 8.12 (60)
New boys Adam Cerra (MID - $490,200) and George Hewett (DEF/MID - $399,00) both impressed for the Blues while skipper Patrick Cripps (MID - $454,800) showed plenty of good signs as the game went on.
Mitch McGovern's (FWD - $256,000) move to halfback looks like it could be a goer with the maligned swingman taking some nice intercept marks.
For the Saints, Jack Steele (MID - $685,800) was among their best while barely getting out of first gear, while Jade Gresham (MID/FWD - $299,000) showed some positive signs at a tempting price.
Melbourne 20.12 (132) defeated North Melbourne 6.8 (44)
It was the usual suspects dominating for the Dees, with Max Gawn (RUC - $657,400), Clayton Oliver (MID - $672,000) and Christian Petracca (MID - $606,200) picking up where they left off.
Jack Ziebell (DEF - $585,800) will be on most watchlists having dominated in a new role last season and it looks set to continue in 2022. No. 1 pick Jason Horne-Francis (MID - $207,300) looks a safe bet to feature in North's best 22, showing glimpses of his talent on Thursday.
Brisbane 21. 11 (137) defeated Adelaide 7.7 (49)
Jarryd Lyons (MID - $640,100) probably spent a bit more time forward than most Supercoaches would like to see. Lachie Neale (MID - $543,200) looked to do it very easy and is under-priced this year while Cam Rayner (FWD - $278,600) made a successful return from an ACL and is cheap as chips.
Young Darcy Wilmot (DEF - $139,800) is one to keep an eye on as a potential round one smokey.
For the Crows, Matt Crouch ($482,000) didn't look out of place as an elite midfielder after a year out, while Josh Rachele (MID/FWD - $184,800) booted three goals to make his case for a berth in the season-opener.
Gold Coast 11.10 (76) defeated Port Adelaide 6.19 (55)
Touk Miller (MID - $677,800) hasn't missed a beat and will again be one of the Suns' main men while Noah Anderson ($455,000) looks to have taken another step up into the elite category.
Zak Butters (FWD - $443,600) for Port is another player who keeps getting better, while Josh Sinn (DEF/MID - $157,800) put himself in the frame for an early debut with a solid performance.
Collingwood 22.9 (141) draw with Hawthorn 19.27 (141)
Brodie Grundy (RUC - $627,100) looked like he might be back to his dominant best in the ruck, new boy Patrick Lipinski (MID - $359,900) was impressive throughout, while Jamie Elliott (FWD - $428,300) finished with five majors.
James Worpel (MID - $399,800) was the best through the middle for the Hawks, James Sicily (DEF - $448,100) will definitely tempt fans after a year out and draftee Josh Ward (MID - $180,300) showed plenty of promise.
GWS Giants 18.18 (126) defeated Sydney 13.17 (95)
Is Stephen Coniglio (MID/FWD - $261,300) ready to return to his previous heights? Both he and Tim Taranto (MID/FWD - $529,700) got plenty of it through the middle.
Forwards Jake Riccardi (FWD/MID - $230,200) and Jarrod Brander ($322,600) both made strong cases for round one inclusions.
For Sydney, Paddy McCartin (DEF/FWD - $157,800) took some strong marks down back and could prove a shrewd buy.
Fremantle 22.9 (141) defeated West Coast 6.8 (44)
Andrew Brayshaw (MID - $584,300) and Caleb Serong (MID - $451,000) were excellent for the Dockers, while former Sun Will Brodie (MID/FWD - $224,300) impressed at an interesting price.
For the Eagles, Campbell Chesser (DEF/MID - $148,800) went down injured, as did popular picks Elliot Yeo (MID - $470,800) and Dom Sheed (MID - $447,800).
Geelong 12.20 (92) lost Richmond 17.8 (110)
The usual suspects in Tom Stewart (DEF - $585,700), Cam Guthrie (MID - $617,800) and Patrick Dangerfield (MID - $567,800) were all strong, while Cooper Stephens (MID - $123,900) looks like one to watch among the rookies.
Jayden Short (DEF - $535,200) got a heap of footy for the Tigers while Dustin Martin (MID/FWD - $503,500) showed glimpses of his quality.
