North Melbourne will tune up for the 2026 season with a match simulation against Melbourne on Friday, February 20 at Casey Fields in Cranbourne.

Please note the match sim has been brought forward to an earlier start time of 4pm AEDT.

It is free for fans to attend and will be broadcast live on Foxtel and Kayo.

The VFL Roos will take on the Casey Demons in three quarters of match sim following the AFL hitout, with that match expected to start at 6.30pm AEDT.

Magpies wait in Community Series

Following the match sim, the Kangaroos host Collingwood in the AAMI Community Series at Ballarat's Mars Stadium on Sunday, March 1 at 3.10pm AEDT.

Tickets for the Community Series match are now sold out.

The match is part of a full weekend of pre-season football at Ballarat, with Melbourne hosting Richmond on the Friday night followed by St Kilda v Essendon on Saturday.

All three Mars Stadium matches are fully ticketed to manage capacity while redevelopment works continue at the venue.

While general admission access for kids 14 and under is free, they must redeem a ticket in advance of the match. Any child without a pre-redeemed ticket will not be permitted access to the match. 

All Community Series matches will be broadcast live on Fox Footy and Kayo.

2026 match simulation

Fri, Feb 20
North Melbourne v Melbourne, Casey Fields, 4pm AEDT

• No limit on players, rotations
• 4 x 25 min quarters (clock stops after goals only)
• Q1 & Q3 breaks = 6 mins
• Q2 break = 15 mins
• 2 min scenario at end of Q2 & Q4, full match timing

2026 AAMI Community Series

Sun, Mar 1
North Melbourne v Collingwood, Mars Stadium, 3.10pm AEDT

• AFL timings