THE AFLW season opener has returned to IKON Park.

The Carlton Football Club will kick off its 2025 season against old enemy Collingwood on Thursday 14 August, in a fixture full of storied and thrilling history since the competition’s inception in 2017.  

The AFL announced today that the marquee game will launch the new season, marking the fourth time the Blues and Magpies have clashed in the AFLW opener. 

Today’s announcement also means that for the first time in the Club’s history, all four football programs (AFL, AFLW, VFL & VFLW) have played in the season openers of their respective seasons, inside the one year.  

Carlton CEO Brian Cook said playing in the opening Round 1 fixture for the first time since 2022 was set to be a great occasion for the Club and the competition as a whole. 

“Some of the most memorable and most watched games in AFLW history have happened between Carlton and Collingwood right here at IKON Park – so for this fixture to once again kick off the season is very exciting,” Cook said. 

“We have great pride as a club to have IKON Park solidified as the home of the AFLW competition. To open the 2025 season here in Round 1 against the old enemy, in front of our home members and supporters – it is going to be a massive occasion, the countdown is on.” 

To open the 2025 season here in Round 1 against the old enemy, in front of our home members and supporters – it is going to be a massive occasion, the countdown is on.

- Brian Cook

Inaugural Blue Breann Harrington (nee Moody) played in the first ever AFLW game in 2017, and said the honour to run out in the season opener is never lost on the playing group.  

“That first game was memorable and to be honest, every time we get to take on the black and white at our home it’s always a big occasion: for this game to be back on the Round 1 stage to kick off the season is so exciting,” Harrington said. 

“Our fans never fail to bring such an electric atmosphere and that is just amplified in Round 1 against this opposition and I’m sure we’ll have a sea of Navy Blue there in full voice. 

“Pre-season kicks off next week and you can guarantee we will be counting down every one of the next 100 days until the game on 14 August.” 

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