The Greater Western Sydney GIANTS will play pre-season games in Sydney, Canberra and Queensland during the 2016 NAB Challenge series.
The GIANTS will kick off the NAB Challenge against the Western Bulldogs on Thursday, February 25 under lights at StarTrack Oval, Canberra at 7.10pm.
The following week, the GIANTS will play a pre-season Sydney Derby against the Swans at Drummoyne Oval on Friday, March 4 (7.10pm). The fierce rivals have never played at the inner-west venue with the game starting at 7.10pm.
The GIANTS will round out their preparations for the 2016 Toyota AFL Premiership Season against the Brisbane Lions at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast on Sunday, March 13 at 12.10pm.
TO SYNC THE GIANTS FIXTURE WITH TO YOUR CALENDAR CLICK HERE
GIANTS Chief Executive David Matthews welcomed the release of the NAB Challenge fixture.
“GIANTS fans in both Sydney and Canberra will get the chance to see their favourite players live during the 2016 pre-season,” Matthews said.
“We had our first sell out at StarTrack Oval Canberra this year and look forward to that strong support continuing in 2016 when we play the first of four games in the ACT against one of the AFL’s most exciting teams the Western Bulldogs.
“While we’re excited to be playing at Drummoyne Oval for the first time in 2016, it is disappointing that we don’t play at Blacktown International Sportspark during the NAB Challenge. Blacktown is obviously a key area for the GIANTS and we enjoy strong support in the Blacktown community, which is why we would have liked to host a NAB Challenge match at the venue.
"Regardless, the GIANTS will continue to have a significant presence in the Blacktown community throughout the pre-season period via a number of events at Blacktown International Sportspark including our 2016 Fan Day, while the venue continues to be the home of our PM CAPITAL GIANTS Academy.
“Our third and final NAB Challenge match against the Lions at Metricon Stadium gives us the opportunity to play at an AFL venue immediately prior to the commencement of the Premiership season.”
Each club will play three practice games across four weeks in February and March with all 27 games shown live on Fox Footy ahead of the 2016 season which begins on Thursday, March 24.
The GIANTS will open their 2016 Toyota AFL premiership season on Saturday, March 26 against Melbourne at the MCG. The full 2016 AFL Premiership Season fixture will be released on Thursday which will be covered from every angle on gwsgiants.com.au.
In a continuation of the initiative introduced for the 2015 NAB Challenge, AFL club members with game access will be entitled to attend next year's NAB Challenge matches free of charge.
To become a 2016 GIANTS member, go to membership.gwsgiants.com.au or call 1300 442 687.
2016 NAB Challenge Fixture
GIANTS v Western Bulldogs
Thursday February 25, 4.10pm
StarTrack Oval, Canberra
Swans v GIANTS
Friday, March 4, 7.10pm
Drummoyne Oval, Sydney
Brisbane Lions v GIANTS
Sunday 13 March, 12.10pm
Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast
CLICK HERE for the full NAB Challenge Fixture
