Carlton AFLW coach Damien Keeping and Collingwood coach Wayne Siekman.

Carlton and Collingwood will again do battle in the season opener and thousands of fans are expected to pack Ikon Park on Friday night.

FOLLOW OUR LIVE COVERAGE FROM 6PM ON FRIDAY NIGHT

Last year the first ever AFLW clash was a lockout after 24,000 fans packed the stands and thousands were turned away as the ground had reached capacity.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan this week has hinted there could be another lockout as the league gauges interest in the second season.

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Carlton and Collingwood do battle in front of a packed crowd at Ikon Park last year. Picture: Wayne LudbeySource:News Corp Australia

“I asked the team (on Monday) and we can really only go on social stuff and on those sorts of indicators because it’s not ticketed,” McLachlan said.

“There’s a feeling on social media that it’s as strong as last year. I don’t know what that means, but I’m confident there’s going to be a really good crowd there and hopefully we see everyone there on Friday night.”

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This time last year Nicola Stevens was a Magpie. Picture: Sarah MatraySource:News Corp Australia

This year she’s a Blue. Picture: Jay TownSource:News Corp Australia

WHAT TO EXPECT: CARLTON v COLLINGWOOD

THE HOOK: Will it be as big as last year? The AFLW01 season opener resulted in a lockout after it was shifted and more than 20,000 turned up, and they’re much better prepared this time around. If you can’t get in, there’s a big screen on the grass. Not a bad result if it’s a nice night.

BOOM OR BUST: The Pies will come up against a familiar face in last year’s best-and-fairest Nicola Stevens who is now a Blue. Both have plenty to play for — Stevens to show she’s at home as a Blue and the Pies to show they can do it without her. Exciting.

WHAT’S AT STAKE: Like every Blues v Pies clash — men’s or women’s — bragging rights. There’s not a lot bigger rivalries than this one.

FOLLOW OUR LIVE COVERAGE FROM 6PM

AFLW SEASON OPENER: CARLTON v COLLINGWOOD

WHERE: Ikon Park

MATCH STARTS: 7.45pm EDT

LIVE COVERAGE: From 6pm

TV: Channel 7 and Fox Footy

Originally published as Will there be another lockout for AFLW opener?