Werribee will kick off its Victorian Football League title defence in late March.
The VFL and VFLW season dates for this year were released late last year, with the men’s season to start on the weekend of March 22. It will align with round two of the AFL season.
As introduced in 2024, the seven VFL standalone clubs including Werribee and Williamstown, will play 10 home games from their 18 matches.
The top-ten teams on the ladder at the conclusion of the home and away season will qualify for the finals, with a wildcard round to start proceedings.
The grand final is scheduled for September 21.
The VFLW competition will be played in a new season window, with the 2025 campaign to be played from April to August.
The opening round of the season will begin the weekend of April 19, with the final round played the weekend of August 2.
The competition will consist of a 16-round home-and-away season, where all teams will play 14 matches and have two byes.
The finals structure remains unchanged with six teams to play finals, with the finals series to be played across four weeks.
The grand final is scheduled to be played the weekend of August 30.
AFL state league competitions head Jennie Loughnan said there had been extensive consultation with clubs and key stakeholders in deciding the dates.
“The decision to shift the rebel VFLW season dates followed a review of the women’s football calendar and creates more alignment with the updated NAB AFLW season timing,” she said.
““The new rebel VFLW season dates will provide great benefits for clubs and players, with more opportunities now available for AFLW-listed players to compete in rebel VFLW matches as they prepare for the upcoming AFLW season.
““This will further elevate the standard of the rebel VFLW and help to continue the development of the women’s football talent pool.
“The Smithy’s VFL has enjoyed stability in recent years and we are pleased to have the same 21 teams who have featured in the competition for the past three seasons again competing in 2025.”
