GEELONG Falcons will open their 2019 season on March 23 at Colac’s Central Reserve against Bendigo Pioneers.
In what is a new-look under-18 competition, the TAC Cup name is no longer, Tasmania has re-entered the competition, and the Sydney, GWS, Brisbane and Gold Coast academy teams will play from rounds two to six.
The Falcons, who will be coached by Luke Daffy, will play 15 matches in what will be a seventeen round season, followed by a Wildcard round featuring teams that finish 5th-13th to determine the eight sides to contest the finals.
They will just play just one match in Geelong (Round 14 vs. GWV Rebels at GMHBA Stadium).
The Falcons will head across Bass Strait in Round 16 to take on Tasmania at North Hobart Oval.
A meeting with the Swans at Carlton’s IKON Park in Round 6 will be their only clash with an academy team.
Meanwhile, the Falcons Girls will open their premiership defence with a trip to Frankston’s Skybus Stadium for a meeting with Sandringham Dragons.
Jason Armistead’s team will again play a nine round season, with three home games at Deakin University and one at Avalon Airport Oval.
The finals series has been extended to feature four teams.
Twitter: @tom_king79
UNDER 18 BOYS FIXTURE
| ROUND | DATE | OPPONENT | VENUE | TIME |
| 1 | Sunday, March 24 | Bendigo Pioneers | Central Reserve – Colac | 2:00pm |
| 2 | Sunday, March 31 | GWV Rebels | MARS Stadium – Ballarat | 1:00pm |
| 3 | Sunday, April 7 | Dandenong Stingrays | QEO Oval – Bendigo | 12:30pm |
| 4 | Bye | |||
| 5 | Saturday, April 27 | Calder Cannons | RAMS Arena – Craigieburn | 2:00pm |
| 6 | Sunday, May 5 | Swans Academy | IKON Park – Carlton | 11:30am |
| 7 | Saturday, May 11 | Murray Bushrangers | Avalon Airport Oval – Werribee | 2:00pm |
| 8 | Saturday, May 18 | Western Jets | Avalon Airport Oval – Werribee | 2:00pm |
| 9 | Sunday, June 2 | Eastern Ranges | Box Hill City Oval | 1:00pm |
| 10 | Saturday, June 8 | Sandringham Dragons | MARS Stadium – Ballarat | 11:30am |
| 11 | Sunday, June 23 | Bendigo Pioneers | QEO Oval – Bendigo | 1:00pm |
| 12 | Saturday, June 29 | Gippsland Power | Shepley Oval – Dandenong | 2:30pm |
| 13 | Sunday, July 7 | Oakleigh Chargers | Avalon Airport Oval | 11:30am |
| 14 | Sunday, July 21 | GWV Rebels | GMHBA Stadium | 1:30pm |
| 15 | Bye | |||
| 16 | Saturday, August 3 | Tasmania Devils | North Hobart Oval | 11:30am |
| 17 | Sunday, August 18 | Dandenong Stingrays | QEO Oval – Bendigo | 12:30pm |
UNDER 18 GIRLS FIXTURE
| ROUND | DATE | OPPONENT | VENUE | TIME |
| 1 | Sunday, March 3 | Sandringham Dragons | Skybus Stadium – Frankston | 2:00pm |
| 2 | Sunday, March 17 | Gippsland Power | Deakin University | 12:45pm |
| 3 | Sunday, March 24 | Bendigo Pioneers | Deakin University | 1:00pm |
| 4 | Saturday, March 30 | GWV Rebels | City Oval – Ballarat | 2:30pm |
| 5 | Saturday, April 6 | Dandenong Stingrays | Skybus Stadium – Frankston | 1:00pm |
| 6 | Sunday, April 14 | Western Jets | Point Gellibrand – Williamstown | 12:45pm |
| 7 | Sunday, April 28 | Calder Cannons | RAMS Arena – Craigieburn | 12:45pm |
| 8 | Sunday, May 5 | Northern Knights | Deakin University | 1:00pm |
| 9 | Saturday, May 11 | Murray Bushrangers | Avalon Airport Oval – Werribee | 12:00pm |
