The Western Bulldogs will have four opportunities to test their pre-season preparations against AFLW opposition, starting next month.
The AFL has today confirmed the match-ups, times and venues for the Dogs’ three match simulations and one official practice match.
The Dogs’ first match sim hit-out will come against Hawthorn at 10am AEST Saturday 11 July at Kennedy Community Centre (Dingley).
A week later, the Bulldogs will host Geelong in a second match sim at Mission Whitten Oval from 2pm on Friday 17 July.
The official AFLW practice match will see the Dogs travel to meet GWS at Henson Park on Sunday 26 July from 2:35pm AEST, before returning home for a third and final match sim against Collingwood on Saturday 1 August.
As reported by AFL.com.au in March, the revamped pre-season schedule will allow for a greater number of unofficial scratch matches under a variety of conditions.
This has been implemented in part to allow younger and less experienced players more development opportunities, particularly in the absence of state leagues running alongside the NAB AFLW competition.
The match simulations will not necessarily be played under "normal" conditions, with the two teams involved to decide just how the game will play out.
They may opt for particular scenario training (defending a small lead), stoppage practice, or shorter or longer terms of play than normal.
Entry and streaming details will be confirmed in due course.
Match sim No.1 - Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs
Saturday 11 July, 10am AEST
Kennedy Community Centre, Dingley
Match sim No.2 - Western Bulldogs v Geelong
Friday 17 July, 2pm AEST
Mission Whitten Oval, Footscray
Official practice match - GWS v Western Bulldogs
Sunday 26 July, 2:35pm AEST Henson Park, NSW
Match sim No.3 - Western Bulldogs v Collingwood
Saturday 1 August, 11am AEST
Mission Whitten Oval, Footscray
