The NAB Cup , the AFL Pre- Season Football Competition , starts on Friday 17 February , 2012. First games see the Tigers , Kangaroos and Hawks, battle it out at  Etihad Stadium . More follow up games will be played all around the country in ensuing weeks . Footy starved fans ,  will be along to see the games , wearing their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys.


New Sydney based AFL team , Greater Western Sydney , join the AFL , making it an 18 team Competition.
Saints welcome back dynamic midfielder Lenny Hayes , after his 2011 injury caused absence .Tigers goalkicker Jack Riewoldt is fit following four operations in the off season , and Collingwood player Cameron Cloke has been stopped

for driving without a licence .

Other news includes , Eddie McGuire , Collingwood President supporting a night Grand Final , and Jeff Kennett , ex Hawks president, Â stating the AFL supports gay players .