Football fans in Ballarat will get their first taste of open age state league football since 2022 when the third edition of the popular Smithy’s VFL Standalone Practice Match Carnival heads to Mars Stadium on Saturday, March 1.
The triple-header will begin with Port Melbourne having its first hitout under new coach Brendan McCartney when it takes on Frankston from 10:30am.
The match will be followed by Coburg meeting Williamstown at 1:30pm before reigning premier Werribee locks horns with the Northern Bullants at 4:30pm.
The carnival is being held in Ballarat due to resurfacing works leaving last year’s venue Kinetic Stadium out of action, while the other five clubs’ home grounds have cricket commitments during the off-season.
Before that, the opening Smithy’s VFL practice matches are charging up on us at a rate of knots, with the first game less than two weeks away.
Preliminary finalist Footscray will take on fast-finishing neighbour Essendon at Mission Whitten Oval at 5:00pm on Saturday, February 15, as a curtain-closer to the AAMI Community Series clash between the two AFL teams that afternoon.
Three Sydney Derby practice matches are on the agenda, with the Sydney Swans and GWS Giants set to meet on February 21 and March 8 at Tramway Oval, ahead of a clash at Vailo Community Centre on March 15.
The Swans will also visit Gold Coast to take on the Suns, while the Giants will host the Southport Sharks.
Collingwood will take on North Melbourne at Arden Street Oval at 3pm on Friday, February 21, giving the Kangaroos two matches in two days as they aim to finalise their squad for the 2025 season. The Roos are also set to play against the Casey Demons the following day.
And Tasmania will begin its foray into the competition by playing a handful of practice matches in the early part of the season.
Tasmania’s Senior Talent Academy will take on Frankston on March 22 before taking on Sandringham on May 4, with the Dolphins and Zebras to be scheduled to have byes on those respective weekend with the matches falling during the home and away season.
FOOTSCRAY'S 2025 VFL PRACTICE MATCH SCHEDULE
Saturday, February 15
Footscray Bulldogs vs Essendon (Mission Whitten Oval, 5:00pm)
Friday, February 28
Footscray Bulldogs vs Box Hill Hawks (Mission Whitten Oval, 5.30pm)
Saturday, March 15
Footscray Bulldogs vs Werribee (Mission Whitten Oval, 3:00pm)
Saturday, March 28
Carlton vs Footscray Bulldogs (IKON Park, 4:00pm)
(all times local)
