After a delayed start to the season, due to COVID-19, the Matthew Barnes-coached Tigers will host the 2018 premiers at the Nowra Showground in the opening game of the modified 10-round season.

Last year's premiers, Wollongong Lions will start their title defence with a grand final replay against Figtree, while last year's wooden spooners Shellharbour will host Northern Districts - with the Wollongong Bulldogs having the bye.

"The Lions will have their flag unveiling... and we thought it would be a good way to start the season," AFL South Coast regional manager Matt Graham said.

"It will be good to see where both teams are at."

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Following this opening round fixture, the Tigers men's side will hit the road for back-to-back games against Lions and Bulldogs.

They will then play both Norths and Figtree at home before travelling to Shellharbour to face the Suns on August 22.

A home game against the Bulldogs follows, before a bye, a visit to Hollymount Park to face Norths and a home match against the Suns wrap up the regular season.

The finals series, which will pit first against fourth and second against third for a spot in the decider, will start on Saturday, September 26 - before a week off for the long weekend and the grand final on October 10.

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Geoff Gibbs' women's Tiger side, who reached last year's grand final, will start their campaign for their second title in three years also against Kiama - in what will be the competition's inaugural premier women's division.

"We're a week-and-a-half away [from the season starting]," Graham said.

"There's still a lot to do with a reduced workforce, but generally things are on track.

"We'll probably have a club meeting next week to round out any specific by-law changes around playing a 10-week home and away season, so finals eligibility adjustments, and COVID-19 requirements."

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This opening fixture for the Tigers will be followed by games against Lions (away), Bulldogs (away), Norths (home), Wollongong Saints (home), Power (away), Bulldogs (home), Norths (away), Saints (away) and Lions (home).

The Tigers will play all their home fixtures at the Nowra Showground, as Artie Smith Oval is currently being resurfaced for the Koori Knockout - which was recently postponed until 2021.