Essendon VFL will take on Collingwood VFL in a practice match at the NEC Hangar this Saturday, March 8, with the first bounce from 10am AEDT.

A mix of AFL-listed players will suit up for the Dons on the day to pair with its growing VFL squad led by Jackson Hately, along with new signings such as Tyler Sellers.

With the Bombers' AFL fixture against the SUNS rescheduled, Saturday marks a great opportunity for fans to get their fix of Dons footy ahead of next Friday's official season opener against the Hawks.

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O'Neill post-game | VFL Pre-season

Hear from Xavier O'Neill following Essendon's VFL pre-season win over the Cats.

The Club's Jack Jones Cafe will be open throughout the morning to serve all your food and beverage needs, while the Bomber Shop will also be on hand with plenty of fresh 2025 merchandise and retro options on offer.

On-site parking will be limited, so fans looking to attend are recommended to park along Melrose Drive as an alternative.

Essendon VFL will follow up with another practice match against Box Hill next Friday night, before kicking off the home-and-away season on March 22. Check out the full VFL fixture here.