The 2024 AFLW season kicks off on Friday night when Collingwood travels to Sydney to kick off the year.

With a new coach, eight new players, and a host of returning names, excitement levels have reached fever pitch ahead of a new era of the Club’s AFLW program.

The tip to NSW to open the year will be a fantastic challenge against a rising Sydney side, as part of an 11-game season for the first time in the competition’s history.

From the fixture, to the list changes, and everything in-between, here’s all you need to know ahead of the 2024 season.

Who do we play?

The trip to face the Swans in the first week of the year is part of three interstate trips for the season in a jam-packed schedule for 2024.

Those other two include heading back to Brisbane for a showdown with the Lions for their third game of the year, while the Pies will head over to Adelaide in week seven to play Port Adelaide for the first time.

The Pies also take on Hawthorn for the maiden time in Club AFLW history in the second game of the season.

The Pies will host games at Victoria Park four times in 2024, kicking off with their clash with the Hawks, before matches against the Western Bulldogs, Adelaide, and Carlton.

They’ll also host West Coast and Gold Coast in Victorian-based home games, at Ikon Park and the Swinburne Centre respectively.

You can view the full fixture here.

Who’s new to the team?

There has been a host of list changes over the off-season of the Pies, with eight new names joining the list.

Four of those came through the trade and sign period with Irish recruit Muireann Atkinson signing on, as well as Kalinda Howarth, Mikayla Hyde and Annie Lee crossing over from Gold Coast, Fremantle and Carlton respectively.

Three young stars were also picked up in last year’s draft, with the Pies using picks eight and nine on Georgia Clark and Lucy Cronin, before selecting Amber Schutte with pick 32.

The Pies’ list was all but confirmed, however an injury in pre-season saw Nell Morris-Dalton ruled out for the season, with VFLW midfielder Carly Remmos subsequently elevated as a replacement player.

While not a new player, Imogen Evans claimed the final spot on the 2024 list after Aishling Sheridan was made inactive due to personal reasons. Evans, who was delisted at the end of 2023, re-joined the Club in late July.

What about the coaches?

Former North Melbourne defender Sam Wright is on board for his first season as Senior Coach in another change from last year.

The 34-year-old, who played 136 games for the Kangaroos between 2009-2019, has come in with major impact in pre-season and will be looking to hit the ground running in his first season at the helm.

Having spent time as an assistant at North Melbourne, as well as spending time at Cricket Victoria and The Australian Ballet, Wright is well versed in the sporting industry. 

There is a strong coaching group underneath Wright too, with Dom Tyson (Backs Assistant), Tom Wilson (Head of Development and Mids Assistant), and Daniel Currie (Forwards Assistant) all joining the Pies.

Jess Duffin, Tom Cashin, Chris Gamble, and Liam McKenna are all part of the coaching group too.

Who are the leaders?

Bri Davey remains Captain for the fourth year straight and second as standalone, leading a seven-player strong group.

Brittany Bonnici, Ruby Schleicher, and Jordy Allen are all Vice-Captains, with the latter elevated into the VC group for the first time.

Lauren Butler, Mikala Cann, and Sabrina Frederick round out the leadership group, with Frederick jumping into a leadership role for the first time in her career in black and white.

How can I watch? 

Tickets are on sale for the 2024 NAB AFLW season, as are Collingwood memberships.

The Club’s two membership packages offer full season access and a two-game package that can be purchased here.

All games during 2024 will be broadcast live on Foxtel, with a selection also on live and free on Channel Seven.

The Pies’ games against Sydney, the Western Bulldogs, and Carlton, will all be broadcast on Channel Seven. 

How can I stay connected?

For all the latest news, scores, and highlights, following Collingwood AFLW’s handles on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Match reports, feature pieces, and video content can also be found on the Club’s website.