THE TASK ahead for Melbourne’s AFLW Premiership defence has been laid out with the AFL revealing its 2023 Fixture.

The Demons' maiden AFLW flag will be unfurled at IKON Park in a blockbuster opening round clash with the Magpies.

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2023 AFLW printable fixture

Our reigning premiers will make their return to Casey Fields in Round 3 for a date with the Dogs while the club will also return to the scene of its Grand Final heist with a Round 10 Grand Final rematch with the Lions at Brighton Homes Arena.

Round 5 will feature a vibrant 'festival of footy' during the AFL Grand Final week.

The round will kick off with Geelong Cats and Melbourne who will face off for the first time ever on a Thursday night, followed by a double-header on Friday after the Grand Final Parade.

The second half of the season brings Indigenous Round in Rounds Seven and Eight, and Pride Round celebrating diversity and inclusion in Round 10.

AFLW Finals will again feature a four-week structure, mirroring the previous season’s structure.

The 2023 NAB AFLW Grand Final will be held on Sunday December 3 with the highest placed club earning the home ground hosting rights.

All 2023 NAB AFLW matches will be broadcast live across the Seven Network, FOX FOOTY, Kayo, and streamed live via the Official AFL app and womens.afl and the Official AFLW App thanks to Telstra.

Following a commitment from the AFL and the AFLPA on growth for future seasons, the 2023 NAB AFLW Season will include 10 home and away rounds and four weeks of finals.

“While the 18 clubs have been working towards key dates, it was important to get reach an agreement with the Players’ Association and not delay the fixture any further to provide certainty to players, clubs and fans,” AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said.

“We thank the AFLPA, led by Paul and their delegates for their commitment and our aim now is to make 2023 the best season yet, while we collaborate on the sustainable growth of the competition, both in number of games, attendances and overall engagement.

“The AFL is incredibly proud the growth women’s football in the past seven years and remain committed to growing the competition in a sustainable way as we continue to invest heavily in driving attendance and viewership this season.”