AFL 2018 fixture: Pros and cons for every club plus what they have to say

ESSENDON can get its season off to a flyer but Melbourne has been ignored for the prime time spotlight. Our experts assess the 2018 AFL fixture.

RICHMOND and Adelaide will dominate prime time in 2018 but Melbourne has been ignored.

Collingwood’s dream draw was confirmed and Essendon can get its season off to a flyer, but Port Adelaide faces a challenging start.

Our experts list the pros and cons for every club.

EVERY GAME: FULL 2018 AFL FIXTURE

MUST WATCH: THE 10 GAMES YOU CAN’T MISS

ANALYSIS: RETURN OF PRIME TIME BLUES

ADELAIDE

TICK: Seven of first 11 games at Adelaide Oval including four in a row from Rounds 6-9.

TICK: The equal-most Friday night games of any club with five plus two Thursday night fixtures.

TICK: Play games in every Australian state and territory except for Tasmania.

TICK: Favourable finish to the season with just two top-eight sides from 2017 in the final six rounds.

CROSS: Have copped six-day breaks on six occasions.

CLUB SAYS: “The league has again rewarded clubs which play attacking and entertaining football and have large passionate supporter bases both at the ground and tuning in to watch via the various broadcast platforms.” — Chief executive Andrew Fagan

BRISBANE

TICK: Only one double-up match against a 2017 finalist — GWS.

TICK: Only four six-day breaks between matches.

TICK: Host Hawthorn in Luke Hodge’s first game against his old side at the Gabba in Round 9.

CROSS: No Friday night games for a second-straight year and just four Saturday night matches.

CROSS: Three interstate games in the first four rounds including two against 2017 finalists Richmond and Port Adelaide.

CARLTON

TICK: Again opens the season against reigning premier Richmond on a Thursday night.

TICK: Four Friday night matches after playing just one in 2017.

TICK: Five of the first six games in Melbourne

TICK: Only two games against 2017 finalists in the first six rounds.

CROSS: Seven six-day breaks, the second-most of any side.

CLUB SAYS: “Our stadium negotiations have resulted in the club securing a sixth game at Etihad Stadium which will return a significant financial outcome for the club.” — President Mark LoGiudice

Matthew Kreuzer and Carlton will enjoy more prime time exposure. Picture: Getty Images

COLLINGWOOD

TICK: Five of its first six games at the MCG.

TICK: Meet only two 2017 finalists twice next year – Richmond and Essendon.

TICK: Fourteen matches at the MCG and travel interstate just five times, the equal-least of any club.

TICK: Eight prime time fixtures - up on five this year - including three Friday night games.

CROSS: A four-day break ahead of a Round 6 clash with Richmond due to Anzac Day falling on a Wednesday.

CLUB SAYS: “The fixture presents great opportunities from a team performance perspective. We think the balance is right, we play 10 of our first 12 games in Melbourne and our travel is well spaced across the year.” — Interim chief executive Peter Murphy

WHAT THE? NINE WEIRD QUIRKS OF 2018 FIXTURE

KEY DATES: WHEN IS THE 2018 GRAND FINAL?

TALENT CROP: UPDATED 2018 DRAFT ORDER

ESSENDON

TICK: Blockbuster home Friday night game against Adelaide to kick off the season.

TICK: Only play one top-six side from 2017 twice – Richmond.

TICK: Four Friday night games including two home fixtures after receiving no home Friday night games this year.

TICK: Play only two 2017 finalists in the first eight rounds and play eight of their first nine games in Melbourne.

CROSS: Only four home games at the MCG.

CROSS: A four-day break ahead of a Round 6 clash with Melbourne due to Anzac Day falling on a Wednesday.

CLUB SAYS: “It’s pretty exciting. I think the AFL has certainly rewarded us for our exciting brand of football and on-field performance.” — Chief executive Xavier Campbell

Essendon plays its first nine games in Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

FREMANTLE

TICK: Thirteen games at the new Perth Stadium, including four of the last five rounds of the season.

TICK: An “away” game against Gold Coast at Perth Stadium in Round 3.

TICK: Only five six-day breaks, none being back-to-back.

TICK: Home game for the first ever derby against West Coast at Perth Stadium.

CROSS: Three double-up games against 2017 finalists West Coast, Port Adelaide and Essendon.

GEELONG

TICK: Nine games at its home fortress, including hosting Carlton for the first time since 1997 and St Kilda for the first time since 2014.

TICK: Traditional Easter Monday MCG clash against Hawthorn is a home game.

TICK: Seven games at the MCG, including five away games.

CROSS: Three Friday night and two Thursday night blockbusters, but only one is a home game.

CROSS: Two interstate trips in the first five rounds, to play West Coast and Port Adelaide.

CLUB SAYS: “Playing nine games at our home ground for the first time in many years will have a huge benefit to all stakeholders, and we think this also makes the fixture fairer from an integrity point of view.” — Chief executive Brian Cook

The Cats will host Carlton in Geelong for the first time since 1997. Picture: Michael Klein

GOLD COAST

TICK: Four of first five opponents finished in this year’s bottom five.

TICK: Seven of final 12 games are at Metricon Stadium.

TICK: Hosts big clubs Collingwood, Essendon, Richmond and Carlton at home.

CROSS: New coach Stuart Dew’s first nine matches are on the road, including consecutive games in Perth.

CROSS: Home games in Cairns, Darwin, Perth, Brisbane and Shanghai due to Commonwealth Games.

CROSS: Just three games in Melbourne and one at the MCG.

CLUB SAYS: “Despite an interrupted start to the season due to the Commonwealth Games, we are thrilled to be hosting the calibre of teams we are at Metricon Stadium in the second half of the season.” — Chief executive Mark Evans

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

TICK: Host big-drawing clubs Hawthorn, Essendon and premier Richmond at Spotless Stadium.

TICK: All 11 Spotless Stadium matches are on Saturday.

TICK: Soft opening with six of first seven opponents missing this year’s finals.

CROSS: Only one Friday night appearance, away against Geelong.

CROSS: One of only two clubs drawn to play three return matches against top-six teams.

CLUB SAYS: “Our TV ratings have grown significantly in the last two seasons as the club has reached back-to-back preliminary finals and the 2018 fixture sees us play five prime time games on free to air television next year.” — Chief executive David Matthews

HAWTHORN

TICK: First four games at MCG and no trips to Adelaide Oval after two this season.

TICK: Only five six-day breaks.

CROSS: Nightmare run end the season with games against Essendon, Geelong, St Kilda and Sydney.

CROSS: Do not welcome Luke Hodge back to the MCG with Hawthorn’s home game against Brisbane set for Launceston.

CROSS: Only faces one team which finished in bottom six twice – Brisbane Lions.

CLUB SAYS: “Overall the club is really pleased with the 2018 fixture and believe it is a strong draw for our members and fans” — Executive Tim Silvers

MELBOURNE

TICK: Got the Anzac Eve match it desperately wanted to retain.

TICK: A season-opening home game against the high-profile Cats.

TICK: Eleven matches at the MCG.

CROSS: Seven interstate trips, but two come as the “home” side in the NT.

CROSS: Gets only one Friday night game and it’s interstate, against Adelaide.

CLUB SAYS: “Once again, continuing the tradition of the Anzac Eve match against the Tigers, next year on a Tuesday night, is a fantastic result for both teams.” — Chief executive Peter Jackson

Jayden Hunt on the charge against the Tigers on Anzac Day eve, a fixture the Demons have retained. Picture: AAP

NORTH MELBOURNE

TICK: Keeps a foothold on Good Friday football.

TICK: Gets the bottom two sides - Gold Coast and Brisbane Lions - twice

TICK: Doesn’t play a 2017 finalist until Round 6.

TICK: Only one top-six side twice, which is Sydney.

CROSS: Cops six six-day breaks.

CROSS: Only one Friday night game.

CLUB SAYS: “It’s awesome news (keeping the Good Friday slot). We campaigned for it a long, long time ago and our footy club finally got it across the line last year. We deserve to keep it.” — Captain Jack Ziebell

PORT ADELAIDE

TICK: Opens and closes the season at home.

TICK: Will return to China to face Gold Coast.

TICK: Gets a second Friday night game

TICK: Three consecutive home games in June.

CROSS: Faces a tricky start with Geelong and Adelaide at home, and Sydney, Essendon and West Coast away, in the first nine rounds.

CROSS: Only five free-to-air games.

CLUB SAYS: “Our Shanghai game in May next year will continue to be a game-changer for Port Adelaide and the AFL and to have the opportunity to underpin our China engagement strategy with a second game in China is a big win for our club.” — Chief executive Keith Thomas

RICHMOND

TICK: Plays eight times on Thursday and Friday nights.

TICK: Six of the first seven games at the MCG.

TICK: Maintained marquee match-ups against Melbourne (Anzac Eve) and Essendon (Dream Time).

CROSS: Seven six-day breaks, including a five-day turnaround after Anzac Eve.

CROSS: Made to play a home game at Etihad Stadium against Sydney.

Richmond will get eight night games on Thursday and Friday nights. Picture: Getty Images

ST KILDA

TICK: Good Friday match against North Melbourne.

TICK: Four Friday night games, the same number as this year.

TICK: Can start the season strongly with first two weeks against Brisbane and North Melbourne.

CROSS: Double-ups against tough opponents: Richmond, GWS, Melbourne, Hawthorn.

CROSS: Six six-day breaks, plus two games in Perth in 21 days.

CLUB SAYS: “To be part of Good Friday is a great result for St Kilda fans and we look forward to partnering the Kangaroos to support the Good Friday Appeal and make it one of the showcase games on the football calendar.” — Chief executive Matt Finnis

SYDNEY

TICK: Five Friday nights and two Thursday clashes.

CROSS: Five of their first six games feature teams who played finals last year.

CROSS: Eight six-day breaks, including two games off successive six day breaks.

CROSS: Double-ups against top-six teams GWS, Geelong and Eagles.

CLUB SAYS: “To have another eight games in Victoria is a huge win for our supporters and we know we’ll be able to count on them to turn out in full force when we’re on the road.” — Chief executive Andrew Ireland

WEST COAST

TICK: Play the first AFL game at the new Perth stadium in Round 1 against Sydney.

TICK: Play seven of its first 11 games at the stadium.

CROSS: Play top-six teams Port Adelaide, Sydney and GWS twice.

CROSS: Just two MCG games.

CROSS: No easybeats in double-ups, taking on Fremantle and Dogs twice as well.

CLUB SAYS: “Unfortunately, it is never all good news and we’re disappointed that we have only four games in Melbourne which is not an ideal outcome for our growing band of Victorian members and fans. But the upside is that two of those games are at the MCG.” — Chief executive Trevor Nisbett

WESTERN BULLDOGS

TICK: Play three of their first four games at Etihad Stadium.

TICK: Two games at their new adopted home in Ballarat against Gold Coast and Port Adelaide.

TICK: Four Friday night games including home games against Carlton and Geelong.

TICK: Double-ups against North Melbourne and Carlton.

CROSS: Lose Good Friday football.

CLUB SAYS: “The board will seek a meeting with AFL commissioners to understand whether there was any shortcoming in the Bulldogs’ 2017 support for or participation in the game, or any principle of competitive balance or fixturing, which provides an explanation for the AFL’s decision.” — President Peter Gordon