The AFL has announced the 2022 VFL season is set to begin on Saturday March 26, 2022, which will see state league men’s footy return to Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales after a second year affected by COVID-19.
The home and away season will feature 21 clubs from Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria and will consist of a 18-game season across 22 rounds. The largest second-tier football competition in Australia will provide all players with a premium standard of football with VFL matches played in Queensland and New South Wales.
All clubs will have four allocated byes to provide an added level of flexibility to adjust where required.
The VFL Competition will integrate into a streamlined calendar for men’s football with the 2022 NAB League Boys, with both seasons running concurrently with the 2022 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.
The 2022 fixture is set to be released following the release of the 2022 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. The involvement of AFL-listed players from 14 AFL clubs in the VFL competition is central to the fixturing of the season.
Each club will receive nine home matches as they welcome their loyal members and supporters back to the footy.
Clubs:
Standalone VFL Clubs: Coburg, Frankston, Northern Bullants, Port Melbourne, Southport, Werribee, Williamstown
Standalone AFL Clubs: Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Footscray, Geelong Cats, Gold Coast SUNS, GWS GIANTS, North Melbourne, Richmond, Sydney Swans
Aligned Clubs: Sandringham, Box Hill Hawks, Casey Demons
Clubs have commenced preseason training and are following the return-to-train protocols and guidelines established by the AFL. Club practice matches will commence in early 2022.
