The AFL has released the 2012 North East Australian Football League fixture.
Now in its second year, NEAFL is expanding to a 19-team competition. This year, the UWS GIANTS will come up against two new opponents in the Eastern Conference with the introduction of the Sydney Hills Eagles and Sydney University.
The Northern Conference will remain at ten teams for next season.
UWS GIANTS coach, Brett Hand said that the club was thrilled to see the introduction of two new Sydney based clubs in the NEAFL.
“It’s great to have more Sydney teams in the competition this year. The more football that is played here, the more promotion there is for AFL in Western Sydney and that exposure is great for our club.”
Our Reserves side will kick off the year with a curtain raiser to our first ever AFL match on March 24 at ANZ Stadium.
The side will be spreading themselves across our club zone and beyond with matches in Sydney, Canberra, Darwin, Gold Coast, Brisbane and Wagga.
The finals series will take place over five weeks with the NEAFL Grand Final to be played on the weekend of September 22/23.
Hand was pleased with the draw and the development opportunities that the NEAFL offered for young talent in the club’s zone.
“To have a state league competition like the NEAFL is great. It is helping to raise the bar of second tier football in NSW, ACT, QLD and NT.
“For us, to have the chance to play against the Swans, SUNS and Lions Reserves regularly is fantastic.
“Our reserves side is going to be predominantly made up of young footballers next year so the more time that they get to spend testing themselves against hardened AFL bodies, the better their development will be.
“Playing against bigger, tough opponents helps to give them an understanding of the strength that they need to build to be competitive at AFL level and this draw will give them that chance.”
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL FIXTURE
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE UWS GIANTS
