Preseason match: Richmond vs Melbourne @ Ballarat - Feb 27

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AFL AAMI COMMUNITY SERIES 2026 PRE-SEASON FIXTURE

Friday February 27

Melbourne v Richmond, 4:10pm at Mars Stadium


All matches will be ticketed but admission is free for competing club members, AFL members and kids. Tickets go on sale in February.

All 18 clubs will be in action in their final hitouts before the home and away campaign, with all games live and exclusive on Fox Footy and Kayo.

In between Feb 14 to Feb 25, match simulation training sessions will be played, with broadcast details for those contests to be confirmed at a later date.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2026-aami-community-series-2026-preseason-fixture-details-when-are-afl-preseason-games-venues-how-to-watch-on-tv-latest-news/news-story/33bf0bafb43230f3021dd29f6a503a16

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Matches will consist of four 20-minute quarters plus time on (as during the premiership season) while there will be no interchange cap. Extended squads of 30 players will take part; 18 on the field, eight interchange and four emergencies.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1459833/blues-and-cats-open-2026-aami-community-series-vic-giants-head-to-ballarat

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MELBOURNE v RICHMOND

Friday February 27, 4.10pm at Mars Stadium

How to watch on Fox Footy: Channel 504 from 4pm with Dwayne Russell, Jess Webster, Brad Johnson, Nick Dal Santo & Ben Dixon

Tigers’ burning question: Will the new ‘Ferraris’ be Round 1 ready?

Fox Footy’s David King — an avid training track-watcher at this time of the year — cheekily suggested on X in January there were “Ferraris” everywhere at Richmond. If that’s the case, No.1 pick Sam Lalor would be in pole position, evidenced by his tantalising showing against Essendon. He took an awesome mark early and, overall, was clean and comfortable in possession, attending many centre ball-ups. Then there’s 2025 top-1o draft picks Sam Grlj and Sam Cumming, who are eyeing early-season debuts. Grlj was arguably the most impressive Richmond youngster against the Bombers with his daring dash and adept decision-making exiting defence, while Cumming improved as the game progressed and benefitted from more centre ball-up attendances. It’s one thing to show glimpses in the pre-season, but how quickly can they convert their form into home and away season class? Because you sense they’ll be heavily relied upon early.

Demons’ burning question: How real is this more exciting brand under King?

It was like you were watching a totally different side last week. Melbourne looked re-energised in a dominant 80-point win over North Melbourne in their match simulation match. Forget the scoreboard, the Demons passed the eye test with flying colours and you could see the brand new Steven King is trying to install. They defended well and looked organised behind the ball, then attacked with a more daring, chaotic brand. Sounds simple enough, but it’s effectively how Melbourne and 17 other clubs will be wanting to play. We’ll get another look at it against Richmond in a method that Kysaiah Pickett and cousin Latrelle thrived in to provide serious optimistic for Demons fans and renewed faith for what 2026 could hold.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-pre-season-fixture-2026-aami-community-series-schedule-start-times-how-to-watch-on-tv-and-streaming-details-fox-footy-commentary-roster-every-clubs-burning-question-in-blowtorch/news-story/10a1ec7524a8d6b398c59c41798da75b