Year two of St Kilda's AFLW journey is officially in the books after the fixture for the 2021 Season was confirmed today.
The nine-round competition will see the Saints return to RSEA Park for four matches, including their season opener against the Western Bulldogs on Friday 29 January.
Peta Searle's side will play four games under Friday night lights – two of which will be played in the heartland – and two interstate against West Coast (Round 5) and GWS (Round 8).
Matches against Gold Coast (Round 4) and Geelong (Round 7) will be broadcast free-to-air.
St Kilda and North Melbourne will do battle in the League's first Pride Round (Round 2), before taking to the field for Indigenous Round against the Eagles (Round 5).
The 2021 fixture will also include the Toyota Good For Footy Round in the final week of the season against Richmond.
“It’s exciting to finally have the certainty of a starting date for Season 2021," Head of Women's Football Jamie Cox said.
“To start against the Western Bulldogs on a Friday night at RSEA Park, Moorabbin, hopefully in front of loyal Saints fans, is a wonderful way to start the campaign.
"We really can't wait to get back out to the field and are thrilled to get our journey underway."
A three-round finals series will follow the home-and-away season, with the Saints set to take part should they make the top-six.
The 2021 AFLW Season will feature a single-ladder format in preference of the two-conference system, while all matches will be ticketed for the first time in the competition's history.
ROUND | DATE | OPPONENT | HOME/AWAY | VENUE | LOCAL TIME | BROADCASTER |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Friday, January 29 | Western Bulldogs | Home | RSEA Park | 7:10pm | Foxtel |
2 | Saturday, February 6 | North Melbourne | Away | Arden Street | 1:10pm | Foxtel |
3 | Friday, February 12 | Melbourne | Away | Casey Fields | 7:10pm | Foxtel |
4 | Sunday, February 21 | Gold Coast | Home | RSEA Park | 1:10pm | Seven |
5 | Friday, February 26 | West Coast | Away | Mineral Resources Park | 4:40pm | Foxtel |
6 | Friday, March 5 | Collingwood | Home | RSEA Park | 7:10pm | Foxtel |
7 | Sunday, March 14 | Geelong | Home | RSEA Park | 3:10pm | Seven |
8 | Saturday, March 20 | GWS | Away | GIANTS Stadium | 1:10pm | Foxtel |
9 | Sunday, March 28 | Richmond | Away | Swinburne Centre | 4:10pm | Foxtel |