Victoria University Whitten Oval will play host to the final AFL Women’s Exhibition Match under lights on Saturday, September 3 at 7.20pm.
The match will be broadcast live nationally on the Seven Network and Telstra via the AFL Live App and PLUS7 applications including Telstra TV, Apple TV, mobile and web.
The Hampson-Hardeman Cup will be the first night match ever hosted by the VU Whitten Oval.
The best female players in Australia will represent Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs in primetime on the AFL’s bye weekend between Round 23 and the Toyota AFL Finals Series.
AFL General Manager Game and Market Development Simon Lethlean said the All-Star format will be a feature of the Celebration of Football weekend.
“This stand-alone women’s match is the culmination of 10 women’s exhibition matches this year. It will showcase the best players on the eve of the inaugural national women’s competition,” Mr Lethlean said.
“I encourage all footy fans to attend the match or watch the coverage to see the women’s exciting brand of football. With this in mind, gates will be open free to all fans to enjoy a night at the football under the lights of VU Whitten Oval.”
Lewis Martin, Seven Melbourne managing director said his network were thrilled to throw the full weight of their support behind the match.
“Seven was there for the very first historic women’s AFL match on free-to-air television and we’re proud to be involved again with the very best female footballers in Australia.
"Already in 2016, we’ve celebrated elite women’s sport with coverage of the Matildas and women’s tennis at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, and we’re also looking forward to a whole host of top level women’s sport at the Olympics.”
Western Bulldogs Chief Executive David Stevenson said the Club was thrilled to be able to showcase the best female football talent from across the country at the Club's West Footscray home.
“We welcome this exciting opportunity to showcase the final game of the 2016 women’s exhibition series at Victoria University Whitten Oval.
“While we are on the eve of the inaugural national women’s league and with plenty of opportunities ahead, we do see this match as the culmination of four years amplifying women’s football alongside Melbourne and the AFL – and we’d like to celebrate it accordingly on September 3.
“We have invested significantly in the upgrade of our facilities to ensure we have elite infrastructure for our three teams, including newly-installed lights.
"We look forward to seeing it come to life in the first ever night match at the VU Whitten Oval."
The Seven Network will air the match live nationally on Channel 7 (Melbourne/Victoria and Adelaide/South Australia), 7Mate (Perth/Western Australia, Sydney/NSW and Brisbane/Queensland) and via its regional affiliates into Tasmania and the Northern Territory. Telstra via the AFL Live App and Channel 7 via Plus7 and 7Live will also stream the match live.
The match will also be broadcast on radio by Crocmedia and streamed on afl.com.au
The VU Whitten Oval will also host the Youth Girls All-Stars match as a curtain-raiser from which the 2016 All-Australian team will be selected and a feature McDonalds AFL9s match during halftime of the Hampson-Hardeman Cup.
Footy fans of all ages will also have the opportunity for kick-to-kick after the Hampson-Hardeman Cup match.
Victoria University Whitten Oval to host AFL women's match under lights
September's Hampson-Hardeman Cup match between the Bulldogs and Demons will be the first night match ever hosted at the Kennel.