The AFL has confirmed 17 practice matches for the 2023 pre-season will take place over a two-week period.
Headlined with an enticing clash between rivals Carlton and Collingwood, unofficial practice matches will be held across Thursday, February 23 and Friday, February 24, with eight matches differing in format.
The Pies and Blues will go head-to-head at Ikon Park on the Friday, with matches between Geelong and Hawthorn, and Gold Coast and Essendon to follow that evening.
Five further matches will take place on the Friday, while the Western Bulldogs and GWS have opted against playing in practice matches for that week.
All 18 clubs will play the weekend after, which falls a fortnight before the AFL's home and away season begins.
Those round of fixtures will take place from Thursday, March 2 to Saturday, March 4, with Collingwood and Hawthorn opening the proceedings with a bout in Tasmania.
Brisbane will host Geelong at their new Springfield headquarters, while Melbourne and Richmond will conclude the pre-season schedule with a match at Casey Fields.
"After an incredible 2022 - in which we saw two AFLW seasons and one of the best AFL seasons on record - the football industry took a well-earned break. Now, footy returns and momentum builds for the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season," AFL Executive General Manager Clubs and Broadcast Travis Auld said.
"Fans will get their first glimpse at new players, new coaches, and new captains ahead of a big 2023 season."
Unofficial Practice Matches
| Thursday 23 February | Venue | Local time | Format |
| Geelong Cats vs. Hawthorn | GMHBA Stadium | 4.00pm | 4 x 20 mins plus time on |
| Gold Coast SUNS vs. Essendon | Austworld Centre Oval | 4.00pm | 6 x 25 mins (no time on) |
| Friday 24 February | |||
| North Melbourne vs. Richmond | Arden Street Oval | 10.00am | 6 periods. 4 x 25 mins and 2 x 20 mins (no time on) |
| Carlton vs. Collingwood | IKON Park | 11.00am | 4 x 25 mins (no time on) |
| Sydney Swans vs. Brisbane Lions | Tramway Oval | 12.00pm | 4 x 25 mins (no time on) |
| St Kilda vs. Melbourne | RSEA Park | 4.00pm | 6 x 25 mins (no time on) |
| Fremantle vs. Adelaide Crows | Victor George Kailis Oval | 3.30pm | 6 x 25 mins (no time on) |
| West Coast Eagles vs. Port Adelaide | Mineral Resources Park | 4.40pm | 6 periods. 4 x 28 mins, 2 x 20 mins (no time on) |
Official Practice Matches
| Thursday 2 March | Venue | EDT | Local time |
| Hawthorn vs. Collingwood | UTAS Stadium | 17:10 | 17:10 |
| Fremantle vs. Port Adelaide | Fremantle Oval | 19:10 | 16:10 |
| Brisbane Lions vs. Geelong Cats | Brighton Homes Arena | 20:10 | 19:10 |
| Friday 3 March | |||
| St Kilda vs. Essendon | RSEA Park | 16:10 | 16:10 |
| Sydney Swans vs. Carlton | Blacktown International Sports Park | 19:10 | 19:10 |
| West Coast Eagles vs. Adelaide Crows | Mineral Resources Park | 19:40 | 16:40 |
| Saturday 4 March | |||
| GWS GIANTS vs. Gold Coast SUNS | Blacktown International Sports Park | 12:10 | 12:10 |
| Western Bulldogs vs. North Melbourne | IKON Park | 13:10 | 13:10 |
| Melbourne vs. Richmond | Casey Fields | 16:10 | 16:10 |
