Essendon VFLW will kick off its 2022 campaign against the Western Bulldogs from 12:30pm at the NEC Hangar on Saturday, February 12, with the AFL launching the match-ups for the 2022 rebel VFL Women's competition.
While the Bombers have had their opponents for each of the 14 rounds confirmed, the times and venues beyond round one are yet to be confirmed.
Given the weekly changes to the AFLW fixture caused by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and with the VFLW and AFLW competitions closely linked through the competing clubs, the AFL deemed it necessary to wait to confirm the VFLW round one fixture when the AFLW fixture for that week is locked in.
In 2022, the premier women's state league competition in Victoria will comprise a 14 round home-and-away fixture, before six teams contest a four-week finals series culminating in the VFLW Grand Final on the weekend of July 2/3, pending any necessary changes to the fixture.
The AFL will confirm specific times and venues for each round of matches as early as possible. There are two competition byes built into the fixture - after round five (March 19/20) and after round eight (April 16/17). There will also be a pre-finals bye on June 4/5.
The Bombers will be aiming to go one step further in 2022, having exited last year's preliminary final.
They'll be led by co-captains Georgia Nanscawen and Mia-Rae Clifford this season, and will shortly announce their squad ahead of their season opener.
