Essendon will play in Wangaratta and Colac in the 2018 JLT Community Series.

The Bombers will take on Richmond at Norm Morris Oval on Saturday February 24th in Wangaratta, before travelling to Colac to take on Geelong on Sunday March 11th.

The shortened pre-season format will be played across a three-week stretch and wind up on March 11.

The first weekend (February 24-25) sees four matches played on Saturday and Sunday, while there are Wednesday and Thursday night matches in weeks two and three.

All 18 clubs will have a bye during one of the two opening weekends, but each team will be in action in the final round from March 7-11.

Essendon JLT Community Series Fixture

Essendon vs Richmond

Saturday February 24 (Week one)

Norm Morris Oval (Wangaratta)

4:35pm (EDT)

Geelong vs Essendon

Sunday March 11 (Week three)

Central Reserve (Colac)

2:05pm (EDT)