The GWS Giants are set to play an extra game in Canberra next year, with four matches scheduled at Manuka Oval for the 2022 AFL season.

The AFL released the full fixture for the 2022 season today, with GWS set to host St Kilda, Geelong, Brisbane and Fremantle in the ACT.

Friday night football will return to the nation’s capital in round six when Canberra’s Jack Steele and his Saints come to town to kick off the ANZAC Round on Friday 22 April. It will also be the first match Giants’ superstar Toby Greene will be eligible to play in 2022, after he copped a six-week suspension for bumping an umpire in the elimination final against Sydney this year.

Canberra Giants’ fans won’t have to wait long for the second game when the star-studded Cats side heads to Manuka Oval for a Saturday twilight game on 7 May.

The next two matches are in rounds 18 and 23 against the Lions and Dockers respectively, with exact time and dates to be confirmed later in the year.

Manuka Oval schedule

• Friday 22 April 7.50pm: Round 6 – GWS Giants vs St Kilda Saints
• Saturday 7 May 4.35pm: Round 8 – GWS Giants vs Geelong Cats
• Saturday 16 July 1.45pm Round 18 – GWS Giants vs Brisbane Lions
• Saturday 20 August 1.45pm: Round 23 – GWS Giants vs Fremantle Dockers

As announced last week, the Giants will kickstart their season with a home opener against the Swans at Accor Stadium with their other six home matches to be played at Giants Stadium.

GWS will take on their cross-town rivals the Sydney Swans twice next year, along with the Dockers, Lions, Blues and Bulldogs.

Giants CEO David Matthews said he is looking forward to seeing the orange filled stadiums in Canberra and Sydney in 2022.  
 
“After the chaos and disruption of the past two seasons, we just can’t wait to get life – and football – back to normal with a full AFL season in Sydney and Canberra in 2022,” Mr Matthews said.

“Our members and fans have been remarkably loyal, and we’re delighted to reward them with an exciting fixture that has highlights for everyone.

“Put round one in your diary as we get set to return with a bang at Accor Stadium for what’s sure to be one of the biggest Derbies in history.

“We’re also excited to be hosting games in a mix of family-friendly timeslots at Giants Stadium when we take on the Suns, Carlton and West Coast in the first half of the season.

“It’s great to be able to reward our Canberra community with an extra game in 2022 after not being able to take any games to the nation’s capital in 2020 and again missing games in 2021.

“It’s been a tough few years but we’re ready for a big big 2022 and we hope our members and fans are too.” 

Click here to view the full 2022 AFL fixture

GWS Giants 2022 AFL schedule

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