VFL 2021: How to watch, fixture, season draw, structure of competition, teams, broadcast details

Sporting News

VFL 2021: How to watch, fixture, season draw, structure of competition, teams, broadcast details image

After the competition was cancelled due to COVID-19 last season, the Victorian Football League will recommence with a national flavour.

The state league will not only feature teams from Victoria, but also include sides from New South Wales and Queensland.

Sporting News looks at what the nation's largest second-tier competition has to offer in 2021.

How to watch the VFL in 2021?

The competition received a massive boost on the eve of the season with the announcement of a partnership with Foxtel's sport streaming service, Kayo.

Each round, Kayo will stream live and on-demand three exclusive VFL fixtures.

And in even better news, they're completely free, meaning you don't need to be a paid-up subscriber to tune in.

The AFL's state league boss Tristan Salter spoke about the deal.

"Kayo’s new streaming offering to state league competitions is a real boost for the VFL across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland and we know the legion of supporters are looking forward to the return of the VFL season and there is much for fans to look forward to, whether that be attending matches or watching on Kayo," Salter said.

Aditionally, for Victorian viewers, one match per round will be broadcast live across the Seven network.

What is the 2021 VFL competition structure?

Traditionally, the VFL has been the feeder competition for Victorian teams in the AFL - including AFL clubs, AFL-aligned clubs and standalone clubs.

But because the league wasn't played in 2020 due to coronavirus, the AFL has decided to incorporate teams from NSW and Queensland.

The VFL will include 22 teams across the three states and it will be played across 19 rounds - with each team playing 16 games and having three byes.

Which teams will compete in the VFL?

The 22 teams will see 16 based in Victoria, four in Queensland and two in New South Wales.

AFL Clubs Standalone Clubs AFL-Aligned Clubs
Brisbane Lions Aspley Sandringham (St Kilda)
Carlton Coburg Box Hill Hawks (Hawthorn)
Collingwood Frankston Casey Demons (Melbourne)
Essendon Northern Bullants  
Footscray Port Melbourne  
Geelong Southport  
Gold Coast Suns Werribee  
GWS Giants Williamstown  
North Melbourne    
Richmond    
Sydney Swans    

When will the VFL start?

The VFL is scheduled to begin on April 16 - approximately one month after the AFL season commences on March 18 with the traditional season opener between Richmond and Carlton.

What is the VFL fixture/draw and how to watch broadcast/live streams?

Below is the scheduled for fixture for rounds 1 and 2. Click the link at the bottom for the full VFL fixture.

Round 1

Date Time Teams Broadcast Stadium
Fri April 16 12.00pm Richmond v Sandringham   Swinburne Centre
Fri April 16 7.30pm Frankston v Coburg   Skybus Stadium
Sat April 17 11.20am Footscray v Gold Coast   VU Whitten Oval
Sat April 17 12.00pm Sydney v GWS Kayo Free Tramway Oval
Sat April 17 1.00pm Aspley v Port Melbourne   Graham Road
Sat April 17 12.00pm Brisbane Lions v Essendon Kayo Free Southpines Sporting Complex
Sat April 17 2.00pm Carlton v Southport   IKON Park
Sat April 17 2.30pm Werribee v Collingwood   Avalon Airport Oval
Sun Apr 18 12.05pm Box Hill Hawks v Casey Demons Seven Box Hill City Oval
Sun Apr 18 1.00pm Geelong v North Melbourne Kayo Free GMHBA Stadium
Sun Apr 18 1.00pm Northern Bullants v Williamstown   Preston City Oval

Round 2

Date Time Teams Broadcast Stadium
Thu April 22 7.10pm GWS v Footscray Fox Footy Blacktown International Sportspark
Sat April 24 9.45am Gold Coast v Sydney   Council Training Oval
Sat April 24 11.00am Carlton v Brisbane Kayo Free IKON Park
Sat April 24 1.00pm North Melbourne v Frankston   Arden Street Oval
Sat April 24 1.00pm Southport v Aspley   Fankhauser Reserve
Sat April 24 2.00pm Box Hill Hawks v Northern Bullants   Box Hill City Oval
Sat April 24 2.30pm Port Melbourne v Sandringham Kayo Free ETU Stadium
Sat April 24 2.00pm Richmond v Casey Demons   Swinburne Centre
Sat April 24 2.00pm Collingwood v Essendon   Victoria Park
Sat April 24 7pm Werribee v Williamstown   Avalon Airport Oval
BYES   Coburg, Geelong  

For the rest of the VFL fixture, please click here

Sporting News

Sporting News Photo

The sports world explained. The Sporting News goes beyond the score to deliver the news, data, insights and entertainment that sports fans around the globe need to know.