AFL fixture: What are the must watch games for 2017?
FROM grudge matches, returning stars, marque match-ups and familiar faces in new colours, here are the AFL games to mark in your diary now for 2017.
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EVERY good football club will agree, long term planning is the key to success.
While the bounce of the ball for Round 1 is still months away, footy fans can start their preparations now.
The 2017 AFL fixture has been released and here are some of the games you can’t miss.
TRAVIS CLOKE VS COLLINGWOOD
Bulldogs v Collingwood, round 1, MCG Friday March 24, 7:50pm.
Travis Cloke says there is no bad blood between himself and the Pies.
But that doesn’t mean he won’t be wanting big things against his former club, the same club which dropped him to the reserves three times in 2016.
Cloke should be rubbing his hands together at the prospect of playing on former Demon turned Pie Lynden Dunn.
As always, Cloke will get his shots at goal but will he have his kicking boots on?
JAKE CARLISLE VS ESSENDON
Essendon v St Kilda, round 17, Etihad, Friday July 14, 7:50pm
This grudge match has been 12 months in the making.
After finishing his suspension, Carlisle will finally meet the Bombers in a St Kilda jumper.
Do we think anyone at Essendon has forgotten Carlisle’s outburst when he declared, ‘This club is f---ed’ is one of his final matches for the Bombers? We don’t think so.
GRAND FINAL REMATCH
Bulldogs v Swans, round 2, Etihad, Friday March 31, 7:50pm
No one has forgotten what the Western Bulldogs were able to achieve on Grand Final day. However, that goes double for Sydney.
By the time this clash rolls around, the Swans will have thought about every missed shot at goal, every broken tackle and every 50-50 umpiring decision hundreds of times.
Now they will have the chance to do something about it.
BRETT DELEDIO VS RICHMOND
GWS v Richmond, round 9, Spotless Stadium, Saturday May 20, 4:35pm
This could be tough viewing for Richmond fans.
Last time the Tigers took on Greater Western Sydney, they came up 88 points short.
Now a man the Tiger faithful love, Brett Deledio, will line up in a Giants jumper.
While most Richmond supporters have wished Deledio well since he moved on from the club, the positive vibes will likely be put on hold for this clash.
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SAM MITCHELL VS HAWTHORN
Hawthorn v West Coast, round 5, MCG Sunday April 23, 4:40pm
Sam Mitchell says he is happy to be at West Coast.
He says the move was the best thing for him and the Hawks.
However, all the positive quotes in the world won’t make seeing Mitchell run out against his former side any less strange.
Despite being 34-years-old, Mitchell has lost none of his star power, winning Hawthorn’s best and fairest last year.
He will likely engage in a midfield duel with the men who have replaced him, Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara. Who is your money on?
BRYCE GIBBS VS ADELAIDE
Carlton v Adelaide Crows, round 19, MCG Sunday July 30, 3:20pm
Bryce Gibbs was desperate to join Adelaide and the Crows were desperate to have him. Gibbs met with Adelaide captain Taylor Walker in the lead up to the trade period and his former teammate Eddie Betts is a Crows star.
But Gibbs is still at Carlton and could be for another three seasons.
Will it be awkward for Gibbs to pull on the navy blue jumper to face the club he really wants to play for?
How will the Adelaide and Carlton fans react to him?
JORDAN LEWIS VS HAWTHORN
Hawthorn v Melbourne, round 7, MCG Sunday May 7, 3:20pm
While Sam Mitchell took his move well, Jordan Lewis wasn’t as thrilled with his treatment from Hawthorn.
Now the four time premiership player, best and fairest winner and All-Australian will get the chance to have his revenge.
Lewis brings a hard edge to every game but when Melbourne takes on Hawthorn next year, it will be a whole new level of intensity.
PEARCE HANLEY VS BRISBANE
Gold Coast Suns v Brisbane Lions, round 1 Metricon Stadium, Saturday March 25, 6:25pm
The heat in the Q-Clash is growing.
Gold Coast’s Steven May lit a fire this year when he ran through Brisbane’s Stefan Martin. May was handed a five match suspension for his antics.
Now the Q-Clash’s best performer, Pearce Hanley has jumped from the Lions to the Suns.
Hanley and Gary Ablett are the only two-time winners of the Marcus Ashcroft Medal, awarded to the best on ground in the Q-Clash.
His time was certainly up at Brisbane and it will be interesting to see how he is treated by his former teammates.
THE BOMBERS ARE BACK
Essendon v Hawthorn, round 1, MCG Saturday March 25, 7:25pm
It has been a long haul for the Essendon Football Club and its fans.
However, the club will finally welcome back its suspended stars with a Saturday night Round 1 blockbuster clash against Hawthorn.
These two teams don’t like each other at the best of times but with the likes of Michael Hurley, Jobe Watson, Dyson Heppell and Cale Hooker returning, it is going to be compulsive viewing. The Bombers will most likely unveil their number one draft pick as well.
TY VICKERY VS RICHMOND
Hawthorn v Richmond, round 20, MCG Sunday August 6, 3:20pm
While departing star Brett Deledio was loved by the Tiger fans, it was more of a frustrating relationship with Ty Vickery.
As a forward-ruckman, Vickery promised a lot but delivered little.
Now he has switched to the Hawks where he will get better delivery, play in a stronger forward line and have access to better coaching.
How much will it sting the Tigers if he booted a bag against them?
GOOD FRIDAY FOOTBALL
North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs, round 4, Etihad, Friday April 14, 4:20pm
It’s official, football on Good Friday is here.
After years of campaigning from clubs, the AFL has ticked off on North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs in a twilight blockbuster.
The match will be closely tied with the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal with the theme to be, “doing it for the kids”.
PORT ADELAIDE VS GOLD COAST IN CHINA
Gold Coast v Port Adelaide, round 8, Jiangwan Sports Centre, Sunday May 14, 1:20pm
The AFL is heading to China. Yes, that’s right, China.
In an exciting addition to the 2017 fixture, Port Adelaide and the Gold Coast will play a home and away match in Shanghai next year.
That showdown will be the first time an AFL match has been played for premiership points outside Australia or New Zealand.
The match will be a Gold Coast home game.
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