Collingwood’s AFLW side will play its round 4 match against GWS in February at Morwell Recreation Reserve, followed by a men’s JLT Series clash at the same venue in March.
*JLT Series tickets on sale now: https://bit.ly/2DmqaXF
*AFLW entry is free
AFL and AFLW football will return to the Latrobe Valley when the Collingwood Magpies migrate to Morwell for men’s and women’s home-away-from-home games early next year.
Morwell Recreation Reserve will play host to an in-season AFLW game on Sunday 24 February, 2019 when Collingwood collides with Greater Western Sydney in round four.
The Magpies’ men will then tackle Carlton in a JLT Community Series match at Morwell on Monday 11 March as they prepare to take flight toward the flag which so narrowly evaded them in this year’s AFL grand final.
Latrobe Valley Authority CEO Karen Cain said the matches were an exciting opportunity to build on the region’s three year partnership with the Pies and expand their wingspan in the local community.
“Having one of the country’s most iconic sporting clubs call the Latrobe Valley home is a monumental endorsement of this region and everything it has to offer,” Ms Cain said.
“Beyond the spectacle of these fantastic fixtures, we’re proud to partner with Collingwood to bring a full spectrum of clinics, coaching and community programs to our patch all year-round in a way that truly engages and inspires local people, particularly our youth.”
Latrobe City Mayor Darrell White said the return of elite football highlighted the region’s rapidly rising reputation as a go-to destination for major sporting events and infrastructure.
“Here in Latrobe City we proudly think of ourselves as the regional sporting capital of Victoria; from the AFL and AFLW to the Big Bash League, the WNBL, A-League, W-League and much more, we have an impressive portfolio when it comes to delivering on big time sport,” Cr White said.
“Thanks to $9 million in funding from the state and federal governments we are transforming Morwell Recreation Reserve into a centre of excellence for football in the heart of Gippsland, enhancing our capacity to stage matches of this calibre into the future.
“Combined with five other major sporting infrastructure projects we are delivering, funded through the LVA’s $85 million Sports and Community Initiative, Latrobe City is fast becoming the sporting toast of regional Victoria, boasting the biggest and best facilities and events for our community to enjoy.”
Morwell last hosted an AFL pre-season match in 2015, when St Kilda and Essendon played in front of 5542 spectators, while this year’s JLT clash between Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs at Moe drew 3342 footy fans to Ted Summerton Reserve.
To view the full fixtures visit www.afl.com.au