AFL Fixture 2025 news: Carlton want out of Opening Round, possible Lions-Cats season opener revealed

Carlton have told the AFL they want to give Opening Round a miss in a fixture twist. Plus JAY CLARK has more on the possible season opener and early Victorian blockbuster clash in the works.

Carlton wants to give the AFL’s blockbuster Opening Round a miss next season to avoid a road-heavy schedule in the early part of next year.

The Blues have told the league they would prefer to start their 2025 campaign in the traditional season-opener against Richmond on Thursday, March 13 at the MCG.

And Western Bulldogs are eying a blockbuster early-season game, potentially against Collingwood at the MCG, to help ramp up their 100th- year anniversary celebrations.

Next year the annual Round 1 Tigers-Blues blockbuster will be a home game for Richmond as Adem Yze’s men prepare to unleash a slew of top draft picks and kick-start a new era.

Victoria will welcome an influx of interstate and overseas visitors in Round 1 which also coincides with the Formula 1 Grand Prix at Albert Park, making it a spectacular weekend of sport in Melbourne on March 13-16.

The Blues are already slated to play away games in Round 1 (Richmond), Round 5 (Gather Round) and Round 6 for Good Friday (North Melbourne) and want to steer clear of another trip away to New South Wales or Queensland for the Opening Round on March 6-8.

The AFL wants to start the season up north again next year on March 6-8 after a successful Opening Round last year, selling out all four games.

Harry McKay was the hero in Carlton’s 2024 Opening Round win over Brisbane. Picture: Getty Images

But the fixture twist means the AFL will look to replace Carlton with another Victorian club such as Geelong for the first round of the 2025 season.

Cats’ coach Chris Scott last year said the Opening Round was a “compromise” for the AFL and its clubs as it allowed the eight teams which participated in it a second in-season bye.

The details will be confirmed when the AFL officially releases its fixture in the second week of November.

Collingwood is also open to being included again in Opening Round after missing finals last year gave the club a longer lead-in to the March 6-8 kick-off.

The Tigers could also be replaced for the Opening Round following the departure of four stars - Daniel Rioli, Shai Bolton, Liam Baker, Jack Graham – plus the retirement of champion Dustin Martin.

The Cats are a chance to take on Brisbane Lions at the Gabba in the first game of the 2025 season when the Lions will unfurl their premiership flag, although it remains unconfirmed as the AFL thrash out the final fixture details over the next fortnight.

It could also be a first look in the regular season at Geelong’s newest superstar recruit, Bailey Smith.

Bailey Smith could make his Geelong debut at the Gabba. Picture: Michael Klein

The Bulldogs were overlooked for a marquee fixture last season one year after the club was dumped from the stand-alone Good Friday slot in favour of Carlton.

But the Dogs have asked the league to schedule a high-drawing blockbuster clash against a powerhouse Victorian side such as the Magpies, Blues or Hawthorn in the early part of next season to celebrate the club’s 100th AFL season.

The Magpies loom as the ideal fit in a one-off home ground clash on a Thursday or Friday night at the MCG, or at the Dogs’ home ground Marvel Stadium.

A clash at the MCG against the Magpies would draw a crowd in excess of 70,000-plus fans.

St Kilda has enjoyed an early-season blockbuster against Collingwood in recent years, including its 150th anniversary match in 2023, but that match is on shaky ground for 2025.

Hawthorn is expected to host traditional rival Essendon in Round 1 next year 40 years on from the Bombers’ win over the Hawks in the 1985 Grand Final.

Carlton wants to increase the number of games it plays at the MCG from five to six next season.