The AFL together with the Melbourne and Western Bulldogs Football Clubs are pleased to announce a women's curtain-raiser game will be played on Saturday June 29 at the MCG.
The match will be a feature of Women's Round (Round 14) and will be played prior to the Melbourne v Western Bulldogs match.
For the first time teams will represent the AFL clubs and wear club guernseys.
The teams will be formed following the first ever women's draft. Players aged 17 years and over from the 2011 All-Australian team, 2012 high performance squad, 2013 state teams will be invited to nominate for the draft, which will take place in early May and will be managed by the AFL.
The women's match concept was developed by the Melbourne Football Club.
Melbourne chief executive Cameron Schwab said the objective was to create a major female participation initiative.
"We wanted to bring to life an idea that will showcase the best female players the game has to offer as well as sending a message to all girls that they may one day be able to represent the AFL club they support in a women's competition.
"This game is an important step towards the idea of an elite level female competition. Other sports have successfully developed elite female competitions and our sport should be no different." said Mr Schwab.
Western Bulldogs chief executive Simon Garlick said the match was fantastic and a practical way of celebrating AFL Women's Round.
"We are thrilled to be a part of the match and can't wait to see the Bulldogs' women's representative team take to the MCG donning the red, white and blue.
"The Dogs look forward to building on the match to encourage women, especially from our diverse backyard in Melbourne's West, to play our great sport."
AFL General Manager National and International Development Andrew Dillon said the initiative would involve more than players.
"The game will also foster the involvement of female coaches, umpires, trainers and others in women's football through their involvement in the game. It will be a key feature of Women's Round," he said.
