After release of 2019 AFL fixture, here are 11 games you can’t miss

GET out the diary. Old and new rivalries, grudge matches and huge crowds. After the release of the 2019 AFL fixture, here are 11 days you’ll want to keep free.

Dylan Shiel will play against his former GWS teammates in Round 1.

GET out the diary.

After the release of the 2019 AFL fixture, here are 11 days you’ll want to keep free.

LIVE COVERAGE: SEE THE FULL 2019 AFL FIXTURE

1. Brisbane Lions v Collingwood

Round 5: Thursday, April 18, Gabba 7.35pm

This was big four years ago when Dayne Beams left Collingwood for the Lions, now we get a rematch after Beams came home in the final deal of the trade period. Expect a hostile reception for the ex-captain at the Gabba on Easter Thursday.

Dayne Beams will be back in Collingwood colours next season.

2. Collingwood v West Coast

Round 3: Saturday, April 6, MCG 7.25pm

The Grand Final rematch is always big but this should be better than most after this year’s epic decider, one of two finals between these teams - one in Perth and one in Melbourne - decided by total of nine points. If it’s tight again at the death, man up on the Gov.

We’re tipping another West Coast vs Collingwood epic. Picture: Phil Hillyard

3. Hawthorn v Port Adelaide

Round 10: Saturday, May 25, UTAS 1.45pm

Another good old fashioned grudge match as Chad Wingard lines up against Port Adelaide for the first time. We’re still not sure exactly what led to the fallout between the Power and one of its favourite sons. On the other side of the coin, former Hawk Ryan Burton wasn’t thrilled to be put up for trade and has a chance to show Clarko why.

Chad Wingard will play against his old team for the first time.

Dylan Shiel doesn’t have to wait long to face his former teammates.

4. GWS Giants v Essendon

Round 1: Sunday, March 24, Spotless Stadium 3.20pm

The first trade grudge match of the season as Dylan Shiel faces his former teammates and a chance to see how he changes Essendon’s midfield. If he plays a blinder, Joe Daniher kicks a bag and the Bombers get up, the bandwagon will be rolling.

5. Richmond v Melbourne

Round 6: Wednesday, April 24, MCG 7.35pm

These teams have made Anzac Eve one of the best events of the AFL calendar, with the lighting of the torch a spine-tingling moment. Two cracking games in front of monster crowds so far and this should be no different between two top-four contenders - with the added spice of Steven May v Tom Lynch.

Richmond and Melbourne have made Anzac Eve into a special night on the AFL calendar.

6. North Melbourne v Essendon

Round 5: Friday, April 19, Marvel Stadium 4.20pm

The Roos and Saints almost killed the Good Friday contest with a snoozefest last year but the AFL is banking on a more high-octane shootout from two teams that just missed the eight. When they met in Round 15 North Melbourne and Essendon kicked 35 goals between them. A full house should give the Good Friday Appeal a boost before a second holiday game in Perth between West Coast and Port Adelaide.

7. Richmond v Collingwood

Round 2: Thursday, March 28, MCG 7.20pm

The first time these teams met in 2018 was big. The second time was massive. And the third blew the lid off the joint. The Tigers won the first two heavyweight encounters before the Pies delivered a Mason Cox-inspired knockout punch in the prelim. Can he to it again? Has Jordan de Goey discovered Alex Rance’s kryptonite? What difference will a fully fit Dustin Martin make? Last year more than 250,000 fans watched Richmond v Collingwood games. Get your tickets early.

Richmond fans are still hearing the Magpie fans’ “USA, USA” chant in their nightmares.

8. Carlton v Adelaide

Round 19: Saturday, July 27, MCG 7.20pm

Why did Mitch McGovern really leave Adelaide? After trade speculation in 2017 he signed a new three-year deal, saying “the culture is fantastic here”. Fast-forward 12 months and he was out, joining Carlton after requesting a trade and breaking his contract to join the wooden-spooner. He will face the Crows for the first time in mid-winter at the G. And don’t forget former Blues favourite Bryce Gibbs is still at the Crows.

9. Geelong v Melbourne

Round 2: Saturday, March 30, GMHBA Stadium 7.25pm

Too soon to call this a great modern rivalry? The two home-and-away clashes between these sides in 2018 were decided by the last kick of the game before the Demons steamrolled the Cats in September. Was that a passing of the torch to a new rising power? Our tip: Don’t leave early.

Melbourne had the last laugh against Geelong in the 2018 elimination final. Picture: Michael Klein

10. Sydney v St Kilda

Round 23: Time TBC, SCG

Is Dan Hannebery banged up or can he return to his All-Australian best? The jury is out on whether he’s a bargain or bust for the Saints, and the Swans will get a good read on whether they made a smart move or a big mistake when the Saints face Sydney in the final home-and-away round.

11. Richmond v Carlton

Round 1: Thursday, March 21, MCG 7.20pm

The first game of the new season is just 140 days away. Carlton will have two new captains and a bunch of new faces including Mitch McGovern, Alex Fasolo and probably this year’s No.1 draft pick. But all eyes will be on the big blond No.19 in the Tigers’ goalsquare. How will Tom Lynch change Richmond’s revolutionary forward set-up? Bad news for the Blues - last time he played against Carlton he kicked eight goals and scored 180 SuperCoach points.

Tom Lynch will play in front of the biggest crowd of his life in Round 1, 2019.

...AND EIGHT ‘STEAK KNIVES’ RIVALRIES

There were a lot more players who switched clubs after the season, without the drama or fanfare of Beams or Wingard. But they will still have a point to prove when they face their former club for the first time ... if they get a game.

North Melbourne vs Sydney - Round 9: Saturday, May 18, Blundstone Arena 7.25pm

The Ryan Clarke cup? The outside runner joined the Swans in a trade for pick 61.

St Kilda v West Coast - Round 8: Saturday, May 11, Marvel Stadium 7.25pm

The Saints couldn’t decide between Tom Hickey and Billy Longer. They’ll ruck against each other after Tom was traded to the Eagles.

Adelaide v Richmond- Round 13: Thursday, June 13 7.50pm

Tyson Stengle was about fifth in line for a small forward spot at Punt Rd but he could be Eddie Betts’ protege next year. Will he make the Tigers pay?

Gold Coast vs Geelong - Round 10: Saturday, May 25, Metricon Stadium 7.25pm

No one at Geelong had a bad word about George Horlin-Smith, he just couldn’t break into the Cats’ star-studded midfield. How will he go matched against Selwood, Danger, Gaz and Co?

Western Bulldogs vs Richmond - Round 7: Saturday, May 4, Marvel Stadium 7.25pm

What are the odds Sam Lloyd kicks a goal after the siren to sink the Tiges?

Collingwood vs Western Bulldogs - Round 4: Friday, April 12, MCG 7.50pm

Jordan Roughead might be the steal of the trade period after joining the Pies for pick 75. He might ask Brodie Grundy to let him have a crack at a few centre bounces against an even more depleted Dogs ruck division.

Melbourne vs St Kilda - Round 5: Saturday, April 20, MCG 4.35pm

Dean Kent joined the Saints in a straight swap for pick 65. Chances are the player Melbourne takes with that pick won’t be playing in Round 5 next year, but Kent will be.

Port Adelaide vs Gold Coast - Round 9: Saturday, May 19, Adelaide Oval 1.10pm

Mark this one in your calendar now. Will Port fans boo Jack Hombsch? Will they recognise him? Sorry, that’s a cheap shot against a pretty reliable defender who has played almost 100 AFL games. But he could the lowest-profile player in the game; even his trade (for a future fourth-round draft pick) barely registered.

*all times EST