![Essendon star Maddy Prespakis in action for the Bombers during round one of the AFLW season. Picture by Getty Images Essendon star Maddy Prespakis in action for the Bombers during round one of the AFLW season. Picture by Getty Images](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/justine.mc%40fairfaxmedia.com.au/a6a289fb-2263-4937-b9ca-59e6b7c2de5f.jpg/r0_0_3151_2080_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
THE first national sporting event at the newly-redeveloped Reid Oval is expected to attract more than 5000 fans.
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AFLW clubs Essendon and Geelong will go head-to-head in Warrnambool on Sunday, October 9.
More than 2000 tickets have been sold with a surge expected in the days leading up to the game.
Essendon, which is hosting the match, will run an open training session on Saturday, October 8 at Reid Oval from 3.45pm.
Players will take part in an autograph session once they've finished training.
The Bombers will also run school clinics on the Monday.
Both clubs have south-west connections.
![Geelong midfielder Georgie Prespakis will miss the Cats' game in Warrnambool. Picture by Getty Images Geelong midfielder Georgie Prespakis will miss the Cats' game in Warrnambool. Picture by Getty Images](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/justine.mc%40fairfaxmedia.com.au/0576e5a9-444d-476c-98a5-44b64ce64f2c.jpg/r0_0_3575_2383_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Warrnambool-raised Natalie Wood coaches the Bombers while Geelong ruck Olivia Fuller played Big V basketball for Warrnambool Mermaids this year and emerging utility Georgia Clarke hails from Branxholme.
Essendon duo Sophie Van De Heuvel - a former Cat - and Paige Scott were drafted via NAB League club Greater Western Victoria Rebels.
Emerging Geelong footballer Georgie Prespakis, who earned a rising star nomination earlier this season, will miss with suspension.
Prespakis, who has received a two-match ban for a dangerous tackle, would've played against older sister Maddy in the midfield.
The teenager - a rising star nominee in her first season - collected 32 and 25 disposals respectively in her past two matches against North Melbourne and St Kilda.
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