Collingwood Magpies full 2018 fixture and analysis

COLLINGWOOD has a great chance to return to finals next year on the back of one of the friendliest fixtures in the competition. EVERY GAME + PROS AND CONS

IF COLLINGWOOD misses the finals in 2018 it won’t be because of the fixture.

The Magpies face only two of the top 12 sides in 2017 twice — Richmond and Essendon, and have double-ups against Carlton, Brisbane Lions and Fremantle.

The Pies have a great chance to get off to a strong start with five of their first six matches at the MCG.

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PROS AND CONS

TICK: Meet only two 2017 finalists twice next year — Richmond and Essendon.

TICK: Fourteen matches at the MCG and travel interstate just five times, the equal-fewest of any club.

TICK: Eight prime time fixtures — up on five this year — including three Friday night games.

CROSS: A four-day break ahead of a Round 6 clash with Richmond due to Anzac Day falling on a Wednesday.

CLUB SAYS: “The fixture presents great opportunities from a team performance perspective. We think the balance is right, we play 10 of our first 12 games in Melbourne and our travel is well spaced across the year.” — Interim chief executive Peter Murphy

Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury and Essendon captain Dyson Heppell will play for the Anzac Day trophy on Wednesday, April 25. Picture: Michael Klein

FULL COLLINGWOOD FIXTURE

1 Saturday, Mar 24 — Hawthorn, MCG (Away) 7:25pm, Seven

2 Saturday, Mar 31 — GWS Giants, MCG (Home) 4:35pm, Foxtel

3 Friday, Apr. 6 — Carlton, MCG (Away) 7:50pm, Seven

4 Friday, Apr. 13 — Adelaide Crows, Adelaide Oval (Away) 7:20pm, Seven

5 Wednesday, Apr. 25 — Essendon, MCG (Home) 3:20pm, Seven

6 Sunday, Apr. 29 — Richmond, MCG (Home) 3:20pm, Seven

7 Sunday, May 6 — Brisbane Lions, The Gabba (Away) 4:40pm, Foxtel

8 Sunday, May 13 — Geelong Cats, MCG (Home) 3:20pm, Seven

9 Saturday, May 19 — St Kilda, Etihad Stadium (Away) 7:25pm, Seven

10 Friday, May 25 — Western Bulldogs, Etihad Stadium (Home) 7:50pm, Seven

11 Sunday, Jun. 3 — Fremantle, MCG (Home) 3:20pm, Seven

12 Monday, Jun. 11 — Melbourne, MCG (Away) 3:20pm, Seven

13 Bye

14 Sunday, Jun. 24 — Carlton, MCG (Home) 3:20pm, Foxtel

15 Saturday, Jun. 30 — Gold Coast, SUNS Metricon Stadium (Away) 7:25pm, Foxtel

16 Sunday, Jul. 8 — Essendon, MCG (Away) 3:20pm, Seven

17 Sunday, Jul. 15 — West Coast, MCG (Home) 1:10pm, Foxtel

18 Saturday, Jul. 21 — North Melbourne, MCG (Home) 1:45pm, Foxtel

19 Saturday, Jul. 28 — Richmond, MCG (Away) 1:45pm, Foxtel

20 Saturday, Aug. 4 — Sydney Swans, SCG (Away) 7:25pm, Seven

21 Saturday, Aug. 11 — Brisbane Lions, Etihad Stadium (Home) 7:25pm, Foxtel

22 Saturday, Aug. 18 — Port Adelaide, MCG (Home) 1:45pm, Foxtel

23 TBC Fremantle — Perth Stadium (Away), TBC