The fixture for the 2012 Foxtel Cup has been released.
Three Peter Jackson VFL teams – including the inaugural Foxtel Cup champions Williamstown – will compete in the 16 team Australia wide competition.
Joining the VFL clubs of Port Melbourne, Williamstown (pictured) and Werribee Tigers will be three clubs from the WAFL (Claremont, Subiaco & West Perth) and SANFL (Port Adelaide, South Adelaide & West Adelaide), two from the TSL (Burnie & Launceston) and Queensland (Morningside & Mt Gravatt) and one team from each of Northern Territory (NT Thunder) NSW (Sydney Hills Eagles) and the ACT (Ainslie).
Werribee will be the first VFL club to take to the field in the Foxtel Cup in 2012, kicking off their campaign against TSL runners up Burnie on Saturday April 14 either at Etihad Stadium or Aurora Stadium.
After just one home game in Victoria in their first campaign last year, Williamstown will make their MCG debut when they host SANFL semi finalists South Adelaide on Saturday May 12.
Reigning Peter Jackson VFL premiers Port Melbourne will make their Foxtel Cup debut in the final match of the preliminary round, heading to the top end of take on NEAFL premiers NT Thunder on Saturday May 19.
AFL General Manager National and International Development Andrew Dillon said the AFL had been delighted with the success of this year's inaugural competition.
"The Foxtel Cup has provided opportunities for state league teams to increase their professionalism, dealing with travel and meeting new opponents, while allowing further chances for state league players to push for opportunities with AFL clubs.
"At the recent NAB AFL Draft, 13 mature-age state league players were listed by AFL clubs and the inclusion of the Gold Coast Suns and the GWS Giants in the AFL competition has provided more opportunities for players to build a career in the game," he said.
Dillon said total prizemoney for the 2012 Foxtel Cup had increased by just under 20 per cent, with the winning team now able to collect a $60,000 prize for the four wins required to claim the title.
The 15 matches will again consist of four quarters each of 18 minutes set time, plus time-on to ensure they did not overly impact on club commitments to their on-going state league season, as well as to enable games to fit into a two-hour broadcast window.
All matches will again be broadcast on Fox Sports on the Fox Footy channel and now played in the Saturday late-morning (11:05am) slot.
“Last season's successful introduction of the Foxtel Cup re-affirmed the AFL’s commitment to supporting state league competitions and providing further opportunities for emerging stars or state-league player greats.”
Round One
Eight round-one knockout matches to be played in the period between March 31-May 19. Each match to be played on a Saturday.
Round Two
Four round-two knockout matches to be played in the period between June 2-June 23. One game played per week on a Saturday.
Round Three
Two knockout semi-final matches to be played over the weekends of July 7 and July 14.
Grand Final
Grand Final to be played on Saturday August 4. Venue to be determined dependent on the competing teams
Click the document below for the full fixture.
Last Modified on 06/12/2011 16:15