Collingwood has locked in four VFL pre-season fixtures as preparations continue for the 2017 home and away season.
The VFL Magpies will play four practice matches, beginning with a Saturday 11 March game against Geelong at the Holden Centre.
It will be the first clash for the side under new coach Jared Rivers, who took over the reins from the departed Dale Tapping in November.
In an interesting turn of events, Rivers will lead his side against a Geelong team he most recently played for in 2015.
The VFL pre-season will then rise a level with consecutive curtain-raisers to Collingwood’s AFL round one and two fixtures.
The VFL Pies will play Footscray at the Holden Centre before a season-opener against the Western Bulldogs, before meeting Richmond at Punt Road ahead of a round two clash with the Tigers.
VFL General Manager Luke Gatti believes the games will give fans a perfect opportunity to witness some emerging young Magpies, in addition to new recruit Alex Woodward and the rest of the 2017 VFL list.
“We saw it as a real opportunity to align the AFL and VFL programs early in the season,” Gatti said.
“The fans will be able to pop in to the Holden Centre and then Punt Road and enjoy watching the VFL list run around before heading to the MCG.”
COLLINGWOOD VFL PRE-SEASON
MATCH 1
Saturday 11 March
Collingwood v Geelong
Holden Centre, 11:30am
MATCH 2
Friday 24 March
Collingwood v Footscray
Holden Centre, 4:15pm
MATCH 3
Thursday 30 March
Richmond v Collingwood
Punt Road Oval, 4pm
MATCH 4
Saturday 8 April
Collingwood v North Ballarat
Holden Centre, 12pm
VFL pre-season fixture announced
The VFL Magpies will play four games in Melbourne next season as they prepare for the 2017 home and away season.
