AFLW returns with blockbuster opening weekend on Seven
From Friday, February 7: LIVE and FREE on 7, 7mate & 7plus
History will be made on Friday night when traditional rivals Richmond and Carlton clash for the first time in the AFLW, setting the scene for an action-packed opening weekend LIVE, FREE and in HD on Seven, and streamed live on 7plus.
The Tigers, one of four new teams joining the AFLW in 2020 as it expands to a 14-team competition, will be led by former Western Bulldogs captain Katie Brennan as they make their much-anticipated AFLW debut, but Blues stars Tayla Harris and Madison Prespakis will be determined to spoil their opening night.
The action on Seven only heats up from there, with six more games across the weekend.
In 2020, Seven will cover more AFLW games than ever before, increasing the number of games broadcast nationally every week from two to three, while every match of this season’s expanded five-game finals series will also be shown live and free.
Seven’s round one commentary team includes Abbey Way, AFLW icon Daisy Pearce, Abbey Holmes, callers Jason Bennett and Nigel Carmody, guest experts Sarah Hosking (Carlton) and Emma Kearney (North Melbourne) and boundary reporters Jacqui Felgate, Sam Lane and Emma Vosti.
On Saturday, Pearce makes her long-awaited return as Melbourne skipper when the Demons host North Melbourne at Casey Fields, while the Giants take on AFLW newcomers Gold Coast at Blacktown, and Brisbane hosts reigning premier Adelaide at Hickey Park.
Led by co-captains Rhiannon Watt, Cat Phillips and Kate Shierlaw, St Kilda makes its AFLW debut on Sunday against Ellie Blackburn’s Bulldogs, when football returns to the Saints’ longstanding home at Moorabbin’s RSEA Park.
Earlier that day, fellow competition newcomer West Coast will play its first game in hostile territory when it ventures to Collingwood’s spiritual home, Victoria Park, while round one should finish with a bang when 2019 finalists Fremantle and Geelong square off at Fremantle Oval.
Fans in South Australia, Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland will be able to see all their localteams’ matches on Seven throughout the season.
TV Broadcast times on Seven:
AFLW
Round 1, 2020
Richmond v Carlton (Ikon Park)
Friday February 7
Sydney 7.30pm LIVE on 7mate
Melbourne 7.30pm LIVE on Channel 7
Brisbane 6.30pm LIVE on 7mate
Adelaide 7.00pm LIVE on Channel 7
Perth 4.30pm LIVE on 7mate
Greater Western Sydney v Gold Coast (Blacktown International Sportspark)
Saturday February 8
Sydney 1.00pm LIVE on 7mate
Brisbane 12.00pm LIVE on 7mate
Melbourne v North Melbourne (Casey Fields)
Saturday February 8
Sydney 3.00pm LIVE on 7mate
Melbourne 3.00pm LIVE on 7mate
Brisbane v Adelaide (Hickey Park, Brisbane)
Saturday February 8
Brisbane 4.00pm LIVE on 7mate
Adelaide 4.30pm LIVE on 7mate
Collingwood v West Coast (Victoria Park)
Sunday February 9
Perth 10.00am LIVE on Channel 7
St Kilda v Western Bulldogs (RSEA Park, Moorabbin)
Sunday February 9
Melbourne 2.30pm LIVE on Channel 7
Adelaide 2.00pm LIVE on Channel 7
Fremantle v Geelong (Fremantle Oval)
Sunday February 9
Perth 2.00pm LIVE on Channel 7