Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley facing a tough start to ‘make or break’ 2017 season

COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley has openly labelled 2017 a defining year for his tenure knowing he is “on the hook” if the Pies don’t perform. With the fixtures now released, he’s facing a tough start.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

COLLINGWOOD faces a challenging start to a season Nathan Buckley has labelled make or break.

In the 2017 AFL fixture release, the Pies will tackle the two Grand Finalists Western Bulldogs (Round 1) and Sydney Swans (Round 3) and losing preliminary finalists Geelong (Round 6) and Greater Western Sydney (Round 8).

Collingwood’s early-season run also includes blockbusters against Richmond on a Thursday night (Round 2) and Essendon (Round 5) in the traditional Anzac Day match on Tuesday, April 25.

EVERY GAME: 2017 FIXTURE IN FULL

The Pies finished 12th and slotted into the last spot of the middle-six grouping, meaning the Pies received a tougher draw than Richmond, which finished in 13th, in the bottom six.

Collingwood will play one bottom-six side twice in 2017, which is Essendon.

In a softer run, the Tigers will play three bottom-six sides twice, Carlton, Fremantle and Brisbane Lions.

Nathan Buckley is entering the final year of his contract. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Out-of-contract Buckley has openly labelled next season a defining year for his tenure at Collingwood, saying he knows he is “on the hook” in 2017 if the Pies don’t perform and arrest their run of three-straight years out of the finals.

Next year’s draw has given premier Western Bulldogs the prime-time recognition Luke Beveridge’s men deserve with seven Thursday and Friday night games.

Sydney Swans received the most with nine. Adelaide relieved seven and Geelong six.

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Richmond’s favourable line-up on the field will come at a cost to the club’s coffers with the Tigers receiving only two Thursday night games. They are in Rounds 1 and 2.

Richmond will not feature in a single Friday night game next year. Fremantle received zero as well.

It is a major change from last season when the Tigers were given eight Thursday and Friday night games in total.

The league today said the fixture rewards teams’ strong on-field performance and would not hand-out prime time blockbusters to traditional powerhouse Melbourne clubs based on the size of their fan bases.

The AFL has maximised the success of its Thursday night games with eight Thursday night matches scheduled in 2017.

It is an increase from five last year.

The Eagles will host one of the new Thursday night matches against Sydney Swans on the night before Good Friday, in a game that should draw a bumper television audience.

But the Eagles only agreed to the marquee match in Perth at the 11th hour as they will come off a five-day break.

New West Coast star midfielder Sam Mitchell will take on former side Hawthorn in Round 5 at the MCG, while Melbourne recruit Jordan Lewis will meet his ex-Melbourne teammates in Round 7 in Round at the MCG.

CHECK OUT EACH TEAM’S KEY FIXTURE POINTS BELOW:

COLLINGWOOD’S FIXTURE

1 Friday, March 24 Western Bulldogs MCG Home 7.50pm Seven

2 Thursday, March 30 Richmond MCG Away 7.20pm Seven

3 Friday, April 7 Sydney Swans SCG Away 7.50pm Seven

4 Sunday, April 16 St Kilda Etihad Stadium Home 3.20pm Seven

5 Tuesday, April 25 Essendon MCG Away 3.20pm Seven

6 Sunday, April 30 Geelong Cats MCG Away 3.20pm Seven

7 Saturday, May 6 Carlton MCG Home 2.10pm Foxtel

8 Saturday, May 13 GWS GIANTS Spotless Stadium Away 4.35pm Foxtel

9 Saturday, May 20 Hawthorn MCG Home 7.25pm Seven

10 Sunday, May 28 Brisbane Lions MCG Home 1.10pm Foxtel

11 Sunday, June 4 Fremantle Domain Stadium Away 2.40pm Foxtel

12 Monday, June 12 Melbourne MCG Away 3.20pm Seven

13 Bye

14 Saturday, June 24 Port Adelaide MCG Home 1.45pm Foxtel

15 Sunday, July 2 Hawthorn MCG Away 3.20pm Seven

16 Saturday, July 8 Essendon MCG Home 2.10pm Foxtel

17 Saturday, July 15 Gold Coast SUNS Metricon Stadium Away 4.35pm Foxtel

18 Sunday, July 23 West Coast Eagles Etihad Stadium Home 3.20pm Seven

19 Sunday, July 30 Adelaide Crows MCG Home 3.20pm Seven

20 Saturday, August 5 North Melbourne Etihad Stadium Away 7.25pm Seven

21 Sunday, August 13 Port Adelaide Adelaide Oval Away 4.10pm Foxtel

22 Saturday, August 19 Geelong Cats MCG Home 2.10pm Foxtel

23 TBC Melbourne MCG Home TBC TBC