2024 Hostplus SANFL League Fixture Release

By ZAC MILBANK

Blockbuster matches in the early rounds are a significant feature of an exciting 2024 Hostplus SANFL League fixture released on Wednesday.

With a marquee Round 1 schedule – including Norwood hosting Sturt under lights in the season-opener – centred around the Easter Weekend, enticing match-ups will ensure the high-quality competition begins with great anticipation.

Four matches will be played on Good Friday, complemented by a huge Easter Thursday night clash to be played between neighbouring rivals, the Redlegs and Double Blues, at The Parade.

Start times on an action-packed March 29 will be staggered throughout the afternoon before reigning premier Glenelg unfurls its 2023 premiership flag before facing Port Adelaide at the Bay from 4.40pm.

Anzac Day looms as another exciting feature, including the traditional Grand Final rematch between 2023 Grand Finalists – Glenelg and Sturt – at Stratarama Stadium on Thursday April 25.

The Tigers and Double Blues attracted a massive crowd of 7,285 to the Bay on the King’s Birthday holiday this year, ensuring similar excitement will surround a standalone clash next season.

”We are really excited about the marquee match-ups, particularly in the opening rounds,” SANFL Head of Football Operations Sean Toohey said.

”It promises to be an intriguing start to the Hostplus SANFL League season while maximising the potential for significant attendances amid the milder weather.

”We are also really excited to be showcasing the competition in South Australia’s regional areas, providing our country followers with a chance to watch their favourite teams up close, in familiar locations.”

SANFL will hit the road again in 2024 with four regional matches, including the second-coming of the Neil Kerley Memorial Match, to be played between West Adelaide and Adelaide in Murray Bridge in Round 17.

South Adelaide will host North Adelaide at Victor Harbor in Round 14 as part of the Think! Road Safety SA Country Championships while Norwood will again play the Bloods in Port Lincoln after its successful venture to the Eyre Peninsula in the past two seasons.

West Adelaide will again host Port Adelaide in the Riverland in Round 2 for the Russell Ebert Tribute Match, with the location to be confirmed.

Following last season’s innovative measure, First Nations Round will again be held across two weekends, Rounds 7 and 8, aligning with National Reconciliation Week and allowing both the men’s and women’s competitions to celebrate together.

This allows each SANFL club the opportunity to host a First Nation-themed match to recognise the enormous contribution First Nations people make to Australian Football in South Australia.

• Four matches on Good Friday in Round 1, with a blockbuster Easter Thursday clash under lights to be played between Norwood and Sturt at The Parade.
• Four regional matches, including the Neil Kerley Memorial Match, to be played between West Adelaide and Adelaide in Murray Bridge in Round 17. South Adelaide will host North Adelaide in Victor Harbor in Round 14 as part of the SA Country Championships.
• The traditional Anzac Day Grand Final rematch between 2023 Grand Finalists – Glenelg and Sturt – at Stratarama Stadium on Thursday April 25. Four matches will be played on Saturday April 27, including Port Adelaide against Norwood under lights at Alberton.
• The West End State team to feature twice in 2024, once against the VFL in Adelaide during Gather Round on April 4-7 and against the WAFL on Sunday May 19 at Optus Stadium in Perth.
• First Nations Round to be held across two weekends (Rounds 7 and 8), allowing each SANFL club the opportunity to host a First Nations-themed match.
• Two blockbuster matches on the King’s Birthday Holiday Monday, with Glenelg hosting North Adelaide and Sturt confronting Norwood on June 10.
• A four-week finals series to be played at Adelaide Oval, culminating in the 2024 Hostplus SANFL League Grand Final on Sunday September 22.

As revealed on Tuesday, the West End State team will have the opportunity to play twice in 2024 as it hosts the VFL for the first time since 2016 as part of the Gather Round weekend on April 4-7.

The Croweaters will then set their sights on retaining the Haydn Bunton Junior Cup on Sunday May 19 at Optus Stadium in Perth, as a curtain-raiser to the West Coast v Melbourne AFL match.

A four-week finals series starting on Sunday September 1 will be played at Adelaide Oval, culminating with the 2024 Hostplus SANFL League Grand Final on Sunday September 22.

Start times and match days for Rounds 12 to 19 will be confirmed later in the year, once the AFL finalises its full minor round fixture.

At the request of the Sturt Football Club, no matches were scheduled at Thomas Farms Oval across the opening four rounds while remediation of the Unley venue’s playing surface is being finalised.

Channel 7 and 7plus will continue to broadcast a Match of the Round each weekend.

The Hostplus SANFL League and Hostplus SANFLW League will again be showcased live and on demand via its popular streaming platform – SANFL Now.

SANFL is encouraging fans to sign up for a club home match membership in 2024, with this being the most cost-effective way to support their team at games this season.

SANFL club memberships can be purchased via the SANFL website here.

Hard copies of the 2024 Hostplus SANFL League season will be available with the purchase of The Advertiser on Thursday.