THE JLT Series is back.

However, this year, the AFL’s pre-season tournament looks slightly different.

Due to AFLX, teams will play only two JLT Series games, spread across three weeks.

There are fewer rule changes, which the AFL hopes will make the JLT Series better reflect the home and away season — enabling better preparation for Round 1.

Round 18

So, here’s everything you need to know ahead of the pre-season beginning on Saturday.

FORMAT

For the fifth straight year, the AFL’s pre-season competition will not crown a winner.

Each team will play two matches across a three-week period in the JLT Series, with the competition to be used entirely as warm-up matches for the regular season.

Each side will get a week off in the first fortnight of the JLT Series, culminating in a final weekend of matches where all 18 sides take part.

RULES

Unlike years gone by, there will be no more nine-point Super Goals in the JLT Series.

The rules will be more simplified this season, better reflecting the home and away campaign.

In each club’s first match, quarter lengths will be 20 minutes — but with no time-on for the first 15 minutes of each term. In each club’s second match, normal time rules will apply.

There will be no interchange cap for either match, with clubs enabled to pick a squad of up to 26 players — with four emergencies.

For both matches, up to eight players will be allowed on the bench.

COVERAGE

All 18 matches in the JLT Series will be broadcast exclusively live by FOX FOOTY.

LIVE stream the 2018 JLT Community Series on FOX SPORTS. Get your free 2-week trial & start watching in minutes. SIGN UP NOW >

If you are overseas, you can stream the JLT Community Series LIVE and on demand with Watch AFL. SIGN UP NOW >

VENUES (CAPACITY)

— Casey Fields, Cranbourne (10,000)

— Ikon Park, Carlton (22,000)

— Mars Stadium, Ballarat (11,000)

— Norm Minns Oval, Wangaratta (11,000)

— Ted Summerton Reserve, Moe (10,000)

— University of Tasmania Stadium, Launceston (20,000)

— Kingston Twins Oval, Kingston (10,000)

— UNSW Canberra Oval, Canberra (15,000)

— Blacktown International Sportspark, Blacktown (10,000)

— Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex, Burpengary (8,000)

— Riverway Stadium, Townsville (10,000)

— Fankhauser Reserve, Southport (6,000)

— Strathalbyn Oval, Strathalbyn (8,000)

— HBF Arena, Joondalup (16,000)

— Alberton Oval, Alberton (11,000)

— Leederville Oval, Leederville (10,000)

— Central Reserve, Colac (10,000)

FIXTURE (ALL TIMES AEDT)

Saturday 24 February

North Melbourne v Melbourne at Kingston Twins Oval (2.05pm)

Essendon v Richmond at Norm Minns Oval (4.35pm)

Sunday 25 February

Adelaide v Fremantle at Strathalbyn Oval (2.05pm)

West Coast v Port Adelaide at Leederville Oval (4.35pm)

Wednesday 28 February

Carlton v St Kilda at Ikon Park (7.10pm)

Thursday 1 March

GWS Giants v Collingwood UNSW Canberra Oval (7.10pm)

Saturday 3 March

Western Bulldogs v Hawthorn at Mars Stadium (2.05pm)

Brisbane v Sydney at Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex (4.35pm)

Sunday 4 March

Gold Coast v Geelong at Riverway Stadium (4.35pm)

Wednesday 7 March

Richmond v North Melbourne at Ikon Park (7.05pm)

Thursday 8 March

Melbourne v St Kilda at Casey Fields (7.05pm)

Friday 9 March

Sydney v GWS Giants at Blacktown International Sports Park (7.40pm)

Saturday 10 March

Collingwood v Western Bulldogs at Ted Summerton Reserve (2.05pm)

Port Adelaide v Adelaide at Alberton Oval (4.35pm)

Hawthorn v Carlton at University of Tasmania Stadium (7.05pm)

Sunday 11 March

Geelong v Essendon at Central Reserve (2.05pm)

Gold Coast v Brisbane at Fankhauser Reserve (4.35pm)

Fremantle v West Coast at HBF Arena (7.05pm)