Essendon will take on the Kangaroos in Round One of the pre-season knock-out competition. The match will be played at Manuka Oval in Canberra on Saturday, February 22nd. The winner of the match will progress to the second phase of the competition and will play the winner of the game between Richmond and Melbourne.

Essendon has been placed in Group A of the competition which includes West Coast, Fremantle, Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Kangaroos, Richmond and Adelaide. The Grand Final of the knock-out competition has been scheduled for Saturday, March 15th which leaves a week’s break between the pre-season competition and the start of the home and away season.

The first round of competition is:

West Coast v Fremantle, Subiaco Oval, Friday, February 21st
Adelaide v Port Adelaide, AAMI Stadium, Saturday, February 22nd
Essendon v Kangaroos, Manuka Oval, Saturday, February 22nd
Richmond v Melbourne, The Dome, Friday, February 21st
Carlton v Collingwood, The Dome, Sunday, February 23rd
Hawthorn v St Kilda, York Park, Saturday, February 22nd
Western Bulldogs v Geelong, Skilled Stadium, Sunday February 23rd
Brisbane v Sydney, Stadium Australia, Saturday, February 22nd