THE 2023 NAB AFLW Season is just two weeks away, meaning it's time to get your tickets, memberships and plans in place for an exciting fixture of footy.
To get Dees fans ready for the upcoming season, check out some of the must-see matches of Melbourne’s fixture…
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ROUND 1 | Melbourne v Collingwood
Friday 1 September, 7:20pm, IKON Park
There’s no better way to kick the season off than with Friday night footy at IKON Park. The Dees will be looking forward to beginning their premiership defence, while Collingwood will be wanting to start their campaign on a high.
In the off-season, the Pies farewelled a number of key players such as Jaimee Lambert and Chloe Molloy but recruited the likes of Tarni White and Nell Morris-Dalton, so will provide a challenge for the Dees.
While Melbourne saw less movement in the off-season, the team will be bolstered by familiarity and momentum coming off last year’s impressive campaign.
The night itself will be filled with a number of exciting opportunities for fans to enjoy including Melbourne’s inaugural AFLW Premiership flag unfurling with former captain Daisy Pearce returning for the pre-game event.
Pearce will be joined by former coach Jane Lange, past-player Brooke Patterson and club president Kate Roffey.
With the inner-city location perfect for a post-work dose of footy during the AFL’s finals bye weekend, fans are encouraged to get down to IKON Park to be a part of all the action.
TICKETS | Available here
ROUND 3 | Melbourne v Western Bulldogs
Saturday 16 September, 3:05pm, Casey Fields
As rivalries go, the Demons and Dogs’ is up there with the best, having gone head-to-head ever since women’s football reached the national stage back in 2013.
As always, the two teams will be battling for the prized Hampson-Hardeman Cup, a nod to women’s football pioneers Barb Hampson and Lisa Hardeman.
Much like the Demons, the Bulldogs also didn’t see much movement over the off-season and after reaching finals in season seven, this could prove as an advantage for them.
The Round 3 match will also be significant for the Demons as they make their return to Casey Fields, their much-loved home in the south-east.
Supporters will be treated to exciting additions to the Casey Fields ground, with new activations and fan areas including kids and members zones.
TICKETS | Available here
ROUND 6 | Melbourne v Adelaide
Saturday 7 October, 3:05pm, Casey Fields
Another day, another rivalry.
These two teams have had their fair share of pressure-heavy clashes, with Melbourne historically trying to match it with Adelaide, the benchmark of the competition since 2017, when they won their first of three premierships.
But the last time these two faced each other was a different story.
During the Qualifying Final in season seven, the Demons triumphed at IKON Park winning by 12 points. So, Adelaide will no doubt be travelling to Casey Fields for redemption in 2023.
TICKETS | Available here
ROUND 10 | Brisbane v Melbourne
Date TBC, Time TBC, Brighton Homes Arena
The rematch to beat all rematches.
The season seven grand final rematch is THE must-see game of the year, but fans will have to wait until the final round of the home-and-away fixture to watch Melbourne return to Brighton Homes Arena to face Brisbane.
Springfield is where the Dees won their inaugural AFLW Premiership, and the reigning premiers will be eager to make their way up to Brisbane to see if they can make it two-from-two at the ground.
On the other side of it, the Lions will want to prove their strength both at their new home and without three key players from last year, with Emily Bates, Greta Bodey and Jesse Wardlaw all moving to Victorian-based teams.
Keep an eye out for a confirmed date and time, which is set to be announced later in the season.
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