The new-look VFL will kick off for Collingwood on Saturday the 17th of April against Werribee at Avalon Aiport Oval.
The VFL will include standalone and AFL-aligned clubs from Queensland and New South Wales for the first time, with 19 rounds to be played this year, 16 matches and three byes per club.
There are 22 clubs in the competition, with round one to commence on Friday, April 16 when Frankston hosts Coburg under lights at Skybus Stadium and Richmond facing Sandringham at the Swinburne Centre.
The League has achieved over 80 per cent alignment with the AFL fixture, with all Victorian-based VFL and AFL clubs to travel with their AFL club for interstate matches.
While the VFL has provided the match-ups for each round of the season, the dates, times and venues of rounds three to 19 will be released as the AFL's floating fixture comes through.
The VFL competition was wiped out last season by the outbreak of COVID-19 in Victoria and the League's head of talent pathways and state leagues Tristan Salter said it was exciting to have the crucial second-tier competition back.
"Last year was devastating to everyone connected to community football. The AFL is very proud of how all VFL clubs, players, officials, supporters and partners managed through a difficult year and kept their communities connected," he said.
"All 22 clubs play a vital role in keeping their suburban and regional networks engaged. They are pillars of their local communities and so important to growing and nurturing our national code."
Collingwood's VFL side will be led by senior coach Craig Black.
Black has been with the Magpies in a pathways and development role since the 2018 season after 5 years coaching the Dandenong Stingrays.
He takes over from former Geelong player Gary Hocking who was appointed for the 2020 VFL season that never went ahead.
Werribee v Collingwood
Round One
Saturday 17 April
Avalon Airport Oval, 2.30pm
Collingwood v Essendon
Round Two
Saturday 24 April
Victoria Park, 2pm
