Senior fixture for 2023 released

The Coffs Breakers and Port Macquarie Mens teams will meet in a final for the first time since the 2022 Grand Final. Photo: Brad Greenshields

THE fixture for the 2023 AFL North Coast senior competition has been finalised and it’s now little more than seven weeks until the season begins.

When the first bounce of the season takes place on April 22, the AFL North Coast will again have the same number of men’s teams and women’s teams. The number of clubs fielding both a men’s and women’s team in 2023 has grown to six with the inclusion of Byron Magpies who are joining the local footy community for the first time.

AFL North Coast Competition Coordinator Brad Greenshields said the season promises to be a great one for both men and women.

“It’s fantastic that every club fielding senior teams this year will be fielding both a men’s and women’s team,” Greenshields said.

“It shows the commitment of our clubs to provide equal opportunities and be so proactive in the female space.”

Just some of the highlights of the upcoming 2023 season are:

• Anzac Rounds being played across Rounds 1 and 2;
• Indigenous Rounds being played across Rounds 5 & 6;
• Pride Round being played in Round 10 on July 1;
• Northern Beaches playing at their new home ground of Wiigulga Sports Complex;
• Reigning men’s premier Port Macquarie and women’s premier Northern Beaches begin their title defences with home matches in the opening round of the season;
• A replay of the men’s Grand Final between Coffs Breakers and Port Macquarie will be played in Round 2 while a replay of the women’s grand final between Northern Beaches and Coffs Breakers will be played in Round 3.

The growth in teams isn’t just confined to the senior level. In the Under 18 competition Northern Beaches will be fielding a team in that grade for the first time since it reformed in 2019. 

Greenshields said the number of teams entered this year is up 10 percent on last year.

“The inclusion of an Under 18 team from Northern Beaches is just the tip of the iceberg,’ Greenshields said.

“The growth the AFL North Coast has seen in the junior ranks in recent years is starting to filter through on to the Under 18 age group now.

“We anticipate that the Under 18 age group will continue to be on a growth trajectory moving forward.”

The 2023 fixture has been loaded into PlayHQ and can be found under the Fixtures & Results tab in the Menu.