Collingwood want Round 1 clash against Melbourne as Geelong eye Carlton at Cattery

COLLINGWOOD wants a Round 1 blockbuster against Melbourne in a Queen’s Birthday peace plan while Geelong has asked to play Carlton at Simonds Stadium for the first time in 21 years.

Adam Treloar tackles Nathan Jones during Round 23.

COLLINGWOOD has requested a Round 1 blockbuster against Melbourne in a move that would allow the Demons to retain hosting rights for the Queen’s Birthday match next year.

And the Herald Sun can reveal Geelong wants to take on Carlton at home next season for the first time in 21 years.

Geelong’s formal fixture submission to the league asked for a clash against the Blues in a prime Saturday timeslot in the early part of the season.

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The last time the Blues played at the Cattery was Round 20, 1997 when Carlton legend Stephen Silvagni booted three goals and midfield great Craig Bradley racked up 29 possessions.

The Magpies considered reclaiming hosting rights for the Queens’s Birthday Monday blockbuster but will instead seek a Round 1 battle against Melbourne as part of a gate-sharing agreement, similar to the Anzac Day deal with Essendon.

The marquee season-opener would give Melbourne an immediate shot at redemption against Collingwood, after blowing its finals hopes in Saturday’s 16-point shock loss to the Pies.

Clayton Oliver is tackled by Taylor Adams in the Queen’s Birthday clash.

The Melbourne match will kick-start a softer draw for the Pies in 2018 as Collingwood looks to break into the eight for the first time in five years under re-signed coach Nathan Buckley.

The Pies finished in the bottom six, meaning it will play fewer games against higher-ranked teams in 2018.

Importantly, the Queen’s Birthday peace plan will also ensure Melbourne continues to host Neale Daniher’s ‘Big Freeze at the G’ event on the June 11 public holiday next year.

The Demons have helped build the fundraiser into one of the most popular events on the football calendar, helping raise more than $15 million for motor neurone disease research.

Melbourne president Glen Bartlett told the Herald Sun a fortnight ago the Dees were open to a solution which would suit both clubs.

“We want to grow the game rather than fighting over Queen’s Birthday,” Bartlett said.

Anthony Koutoufides leaps over John Barnes at Kardinia Park in 1996.

“I’m more interested in working with the AFL and locking in a second game (against Collingwood), like we have had past few years and growing the pie.”

Geelong will play Hawthorn in the Easter Monday blockbuster in Round 2 and wants to tackle Carlton at home, preferably between Rounds 4-8.

Geelong wants to draw more big Victorian clubs to Simonds Stadium and will continue to lobby the league for as many as 11 home games a year plus finals at their revamped boutique venue.

The Cats will meet Richmond in a blockbuster qualifying final next Friday night at the MCG after the Tigers were controversially drawn to play at the Cattery in Round 21.

The match drew 32,266 fans, the highest crowd at Simonds Stadium since 1993.

The AFL admitted the Round 21 decision was based on the Tigers’ dismal 2016 on-field form, making Carlton a prime candidate to make the trip down the Princes Highway next year.

The past five Carlton – Geelong games have attracted an average 35,000 fans at Etihad Stadium and have broken the 50,000 mark only twice since 1997.