The AFL has released its early-season schedule for 2022, with football returning to Victoria and NSW after a COVID-hit 2021, two Friday night double-headers, and all but three teams featuring in marquee timeslots in the first six rounds.
Among the features of the first nine rounds are the scheduling of the Showdown between Adelaide and Port Adelaide on a Friday night for the first time, five Thursday night matches across the first five rounds, and two matches in the Friday night timeslot in rounds three and eight.
AFL executive general manager Travis Auld said the first part of the season was built with the intent of providing key Thursday and Friday night marquee match-ups early on.
“For supporters it is a chance to get back to doing what we all love, going to the footy with our family and friends,” Auld said in a statement.
“On the field, it feels like we are in for another unpredictable season.
“The competitiveness and the ability for any team to win on any day gave us great confidence in the spread of marquee timeslots to begin the season.”
Match ups and venues have been released for the final 13 rounds, but dates and times for those games will be released throughout the season.
More to come.