The 2026 AFL preseason has arrived with the AAMI Community Series to run from Wednesday, February 25 to Sunday, March 1.

The AAMI Community Series matches will consist of four 20-minute quarters, plus time on. There will be no interchange cap. Extended squads of 30 players will take part; 18 on the field, eight interchange and four emergencies.

All 18 teams will play at regional and suburban grounds around the country in preparation for the home and away season beginning on Thursday, March 5.

Subscribe to our weekly footy newsletter to get all the latest analysis, reaction, highlights and more from the AFL2026 AAMI Community Series fixtureWednesday, February 25

Carlton 13.8 (86) def. Geelong 11.5 (71)

The Blues will enter the season proper with encouraging preseason wins over Brisbane and Geelong. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Geelong are breathing a sigh of relief after big man Shannon Neale avoided a serious right knee injury in a ruck contest in the Cats’ 15-point pre-season loss to Carlton.

The Cats are confident both Neale and spearhead Jeremy Cameron (quad) will be fit for next Friday’s opening-round clash with Gold Coast.

Neale was in pain after clashing knees with Carlton ruckman Marc Pittonet at a centre circle ruck contest in the third quarter of Geelong’s 13.8 (86) to 11.5 (71) defeat at Princes Park on Wednesday night.

It sparked fears the forward-ruck may have suffered a PCL injury as he hobbled to the rooms.

But Geelong later said Neale had suffered a knock to the shin, and he emerged with ice just below his right knee.

“He just got a bit of a knock on his shin,” said Cats assistant James Kelly.

“So he’s a bit unlucky, there’s probably about 10cm that isn’t covered by the shin guard and just got a knock above that.

“He’s a really important player for us so we just took him off. He’s obviously a bit sore but just a knock on the shin.”

The incident happened days after Melbourne captain Max Gawn expressed concerns to AAP about how the new ruck rules, which encourage jumping over wrestling, could lead to more PCL injuries.

When asked if there were concerns about Neale’s knee, Kelly said: “No, not at this stage, no. Just a knock, it (the shin) blew up a little bit.

“We expect him to be fine (for opening round) … we all as a collective exhaled when we heard it was just his shin.”

Geelong were without Cameron (quad), Bailey Smith (calf) and Gryan Miers (thumb) while skipper Patrick Dangerfield only played the second half.

Youngster Jagga Smith headlined a promising new-look Carlton, who dominated early proceedings and withstood a Geelong challenge before kicking away.

Classy midfielder Smith, the 2024 No.3 pick who missed the 2025 season with an ACL tear, racked up a game-high 37 disposals and kicked a goal.

“Pleased for Jagga,” backline coach Ash Hansen said.

“We know his skillset is gonna make us a better team but for such a young man to have to navigate the disappointment of last year and wait for another opportunity is testament to the young person he is.

“… He’s the link player between the midfield and forward line which a lot of teams in today’s footy just value so highly because defence is so good.”

Carlton, after an off-season where Charlie Curnow, Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni departed and their coaching staff under Michael Voss was overhauled, fielded nine players yet to play an AFL game for the club.

Newly re-signed star Sam Walsh (29) and Patrick Cripps (29) were prolific.

Pre-season signing Wade Derksen impressed down back and Elijah Hollands, handed a career lifeline after his delisting, kicked two goals.

Key back Jacob Weitering (ribs) told Fox Footy he hopes to be fit for a blockbuster clash with Curnow in next Thursday’s opening round clash with Sydney.

Geelong’s Tanner Bruhn was prolific off half-back in his first appearance of the pre-season.

The 23-year-old missed last season as he was stood down by the AFL due to rape and intentional sexual touching charges that were dropped in November.

Bruhn, Max Holmes (25 disposals, one goal) and Lawson Humphries (24) were strong throughout.

— AAP

Thursday, February 26

Sydney vs. GWS, Henson Park, 4.10pm AEDT

News: Logan McDonald made a successful return after missing 2025 with ankle trouble, while new recruit Charlie Curnow also looked good for the Swans in their match sim win over the Bulldogs. The Giants will have a few missing with injury; Tom Green with his ACL, Toby Bedford after his hamstring in match sim; Sam Taylor remains sidelined with a high grade hamstring, and Finn Callaghan (hip flexor) — who is hoping to be fit for Opening Round.

Brisbane vs. Gold Coast, Brighton Homes Arena, 6.10pm AEST

News: Brisbane trio Charlie Cameron, Logan Morris and Hugh McCluggage have all been named for Thursday night’s match, with Cameron and McCluggage returning from Origin duties, and Morris entering the side after being managed last week. First-round draft pick Daniel Annable is listed as an emergency. Meanwhile, Damien Hardwick will also get a look at Origin returnees Noah Anderson, Sam Collins, and Ben King before Opening Round when they take the field against the Lions. Newcomers Christian Petracca and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan will also feature, but Ethan Read will be unavailable as he progresses through concussion protocols.

Friday, February 27

Melbourne vs. Richmond, Mars Stadium, 4.10pm AEDT

News: TBA

Western Bulldogs vs. Hawthorn, Mission Whitten Oval, 7.10pm AEDT

News: TBA

Saturday, February 28

St Kilda vs. Essendon, Mars Stadium, 3.10pm AEDT

News: TBA

Fremantle vs. Adelaide, Rushton Park, 3.10pm AWST

News: Midfielder Jake Soligo is out of Adelaide’s AFL pre-season match against Fremantle because of an irregular heartbeat. The Crows revealed on Wednesday that Soligo had been on managed training for the last few weeks because of the condition. He will not play in Saturday night’s game at Mandurah, south of Perth, but the Crows expect him back at training next week.

Sunday, March 1

North Melbourne vs. Collingwood, Mars Stadium, 3.10pm AEDT

News: Collingwood coach Craig McRae said captain Darcy Moore and fellow key position player Jeremy Howe are likely to be sidelined for their Opening Round game against St Kilda. The two veterans have calf muscle injuries.

“They’re both unlikely to play early in ’round zero’, but they’re maybe touch and go for a little bit after that,” McRae told SEN. “But they’re both progressing well, they’ve just had recurring calf injuries, which is just part of our learning around their bodies.

“But they won’t play early in the season.”

West Coast vs. Port Adelaide, Mineral Resources Park, 3.10pm AWST

News: TBA