The jury is still out on the AFLX and whether it is a viable option for fans moving forward. But after the inaugural season came and went this past weekend, we now get to finally tuck into some real (albeit preseason) footy this weekend as the JLT Community Series gets underway Saturday afternoon.
All 18 teams will play two games over the series spanning 15 days, with games scheduled on both weekends as well as through middle of the week. We take a look at the schedule for the two rounds and pick out some key games to preview below.
Markets are available for the JLT Community Series at most Australian online bookmakers! While we aren’t game enough to make any picks this early in the season, keep an eye on our AFL Tips Page for our upcoming preview and tips for the 2018 Season!
JLT Community Series Fixture
Essendon vs Richmond (Saturday February 24th, 4.35pm AEDT, Wangaratta)
The reigning premiers will be in action on the opening day of the JLT Community Series as they travel up to Wangaratta to take on Essendon. It will be interesting to see the Tigers in action as they will likely take a near full strength side into the clash against the Bombers. Dion Prestia is the only concern after suffering a minor hamstring injury in a match simulation at training recently and will likely be monitored in the lead up to the preseason fixtures.
With the AFLX taking up a portion of the pre-season this year, teams will now only get two full games to prepare for Round 1, meaning we could see some clubs taking the pre-season a lot more seriously than they have in the past. The Tigers weren’t extremely active in the offseason and will go into the 2018 season with the same core that claimed the premiership last year. However, fans will be intrigued by a number of Essendon imports that could suit up for their first game in the red and black this Saturday afternoon.
All eyes will be on prized Essendon recruit Jake Stringer, who made the move from the Western Bulldogs this year after some troubling times off the field. Along with Stringer, Dons fans will be intently watching the likes of Devon Smith and Adam Saad, who bring pace and youth into the Bombers line-up after the departures of stalwarts Jobe Watson, Brent Stanton and James Kelly.
Melbourne vs St Kilda (Thursday March 8th, 7.05pm AEDT, Casey Fields)
Two teams who barely missed the finals last year and who have been touted to take that next step this year are Melbourne and St Kilda. The Demons and Saints will face off in Round 2 of the JLT Community Series from Casey Fields.
Melbourne saw some of its prized draftees from the 2000s depart through the offseason as Jack Watts and Jack Trengove both headed to Port Adelaide. They did, however, acquire the services of talented defender Jake Lever from Adelaide, who should sure up what was a shaky defence from last season.
The keys have officially been handed over at St Kilda as stalwarts and champions of the club in Nick Reiwoldt and Leigh Montanga announced their retirement. While the Saints were relatively quiet in terms of additions through free agency or trade, there will be lots of focus on the group of young emerging stars such as Jack Billings, Jack Steele, Seb Ross and Dylan Roberton, who all look ready to take that next step in 2018.
Gold Coast Suns vs Brisbane Lions (Sunday March 11th, 3.05pm AEST, Southport)
The two teams from Queensland finished at the bottom of the ladder in 2017, and there will be keen interest on them both in the JLT Community Series as they roll out some prized recruits through draft, trade and free agency in an attempt to climb the ladder in 2018.
Cameron Rayner, the number one pick in the 2017 national draft will be keen to impress for the Lions, while off-season recruits Luke Hodge and Charlie Cameron will add depth to the Lions squad.
Gold Coast of course lose their skipper and marquee player since their inception into the AFL in Gary Ablett but will unveil a host of draftees in the JLT Series in the likes of Will Powell, Charlie Ballard, Brayden Crossley and Connor Nutting. This matchup will ikely be the most intense of all the games in the JLT Series, as young guns from both sides look to prove their worth and cement a place in the squad for Round 1.
