Carlton Blues full 2018 fixture and analysis

CARLTON returns to the Friday night stage in 2018 with four matches in prime time. EVERY GAME + PROS AND CONS

CARLTON returns to the Friday night stage in 2018 with four matches in prime time.

The Blues will also open the season against Richmond on Thursday, May 22.

Carlton’s run in Rounds 9-11 will test the Blues as they play their first match in Geelong in 21 years (Round 10) then fly to Sydney to face the Swans (Round 10) before the bye.

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PROS AND CONS

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

Carlton will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its 1968 premiership against Essendon on May 12.

FULL CARLTON FIXTURE

1 Thursday, Mar 22 — Richmond, MCG (Away) 7:25pm, Seven

2 Saturday, Mar 31 — Gold Coast, Etihad Stadium (Home) 1:45pm, Foxtel

3 Friday, Apr. 6 — Collingwood, MCG (Home) 7:50pm, Seven

4 Saturday, Apr. 14 — North Melbourne, Blundstone Arena (Away) 7:25pm, Seven

5 Saturday, Apr. 21 — West Coast, MCG (Home) 4:35pm, Foxtel

6 Friday, Apr. 27 — Western Bulldogs, Etihad Stadium (Away) 7:50pm, Seven

7 Saturday, May 5 — Adelaide Crows, Adelaide Oval (Away) 7:10pm, Seven

8 Saturday, May 12 — Essendon, MCG (Home) 2:10pm, Foxtel

9 Sunday, May 20 — Melbourne, MCG (Home) 1:10pm, Foxtel

10 Saturday, May 26 — Geelong, GMHBA (Away) 7:25pm, Foxtel

11 Friday, Jun. 1 — Sydney Swans, SCG (Away) 7:50pm, Seven

12 Bye

13 Saturday, Jun. 16 — Fremantle, Etihad Stadium (Home) 1:45pm, Foxtel

14 Sunday, Jun. 24 — Collingwood, MCG (Away) 3:20pm, Foxtel

15 Saturday, Jun. 30 — Port Adelaide, MCG (Home) 1:45pm, Foxtel

16 Saturday, Jul. 7 — Brisbane Lions, The Gabba (Away) 1:45pm, Foxtel

17 Friday, Jul. 13th — St Kilda, Etihad Stadium (Away) 7:50pm, Seven

18 Sunday, Jul. 22 — Hawthorn, Etihad Stadium (Home) 1:10pm, Foxtel

19 Saturday, Jul. 28 — Gold Coast, Metricon Stadium (Away) 7:25pm, Foxtel

20 Sunday, Aug. 5 — GWS Giants, Etihad Stadium (Home) 1:10pm, Foxtel

21 Sunday, Aug. 12 — Fremantle, Perth Stadium (Away) 2:40pm, Foxtel

22 Sunday, Aug. 19 — Western Bulldogs, Etihad Stadium (Home) 1:10pm, Foxtel

23 TBC Adelaide Crows, Etihad Stadium (Home), TBC