AFL fixture whispers: St Kilda eyes Good Friday, AFL set to deny Collingwood and Melbourne’s request for Round 1 blockbuster in 2018

ST KILDA has its eye on next year’s Good Friday fixture and Collingwood is set to have its request for a Round 1 blockbuster rejected. JAY CLARK has some early fixture whispers.

Collingwood and Melbourne are set to be denied their request for a Round 1 blockbuster. Picture: Mark Stewart

NORTH Melbourne will host either Western Bulldogs, Carlton or St Kilda on Good Friday next season.

With the AFL to release its 2018 fixture next week, the Dogs’ hold on the new marquee game looks in jeopardy. The Saints could take the Dogs’ place.

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Collingwood and Melbourne are set to be denied their request for a Round 1 blockbuster. Picture: Mark Stewart

Among the many fixture requests from clubs, Geelong has applied to host Carlton at Simonds Stadium next year for the first time in more than 20 years.

The Blues last played at the Cattery in Round 20, 1997.

Melbourne and Collingwood and are still hopeful of playing each other twice next season including the annual Queen’s Birthday clash, which coincides with Neale Daniher’s Big Freeze fundraiser at the ’G.

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Melbourne and Richmond will clash on a Tuesday night in the annual Anzac Day eve match, which has become one of the biggest matches on the footy calendar.

Collingwood will tackle Essendon on Wednesday, April 25, the Anzac Day blockbuster.

The Magpies are expected to tackle either Melbourne or Richmond the following round so those teams will all come off a short turnaround.

North Melbourne will play on Good Friday again next year but will they play the Bulldogs again? Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Melbourne is also tipped to take on the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba in Round 2 on Easter Saturday, March 31. Geelong versus Hawthorn is locked in for the annual Easter Monday clash.