AFL fixture news: Opening Round revealed, Swans and Dees to kickstart season, more early mail
We’ve got a new season opener and plenty of grudge matches to kickstart the 2024 AFL season. See all the early fixture mail here.
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The AFL wants to steal the sporting spotlight in New South Wales and Queensland as part of a blockbuster four-game ‘Opening Round’ to start the 2024 season.
The league will kick-off the new season with four marquee match-ups north of the border between March 7-9 before a full nine-game round 1 the following weekend.
The AFL’s bold northern markets move is part of a plan to “have footy in every home around the country” in early March.
New Sydney Swans’ ruckman Brodie Grundy will be front and centre when he locks horns with his former Melbourne teammates in the first AFL game of the season at the SCG on Thursday, March 7.
Brisbane Lions host Carlton in a repeat of the preliminary final on Friday, March 8 at the Gabba, before new Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick starts a new era for the Suns against his Richmond premiership heroes in a tussle on Saturday, March 9 at Heritage Bank Stadium.
Collingwood will begin its back-to-back premiership campaign against GWS Giants in another highly-anticipated preliminary final rematch on Saturday night at Giants’ Stadium.
Those eight clubs will have a second in-season bye staggered across rounds 2-6 to ensure all clubs are back on an even keel by round 7.
It is hoped the ‘Opening Round’ will help deliver a major boost to the game in Sydney and on the Gold Coast with Victorian fans expected to flock north as part of the Labour Day long weekend.
Excitement will be high when footy returns to Melbourne for round 1 with more than 90,000 fans set to watch Richmond and Carlton clash in the traditional Thursday night blockbuster on March, March 14 at the MCG.
Collingwood will unfurl its premiership flag the following night when the Magpies take on former vice-captain Taylor Adams and Gundy in a clash against a new-look Sydney Swans outfit at the MCG on March 15.
Essendon is tipped to tackle Hawthorn, Geelong will host St Kilda under lights at GMHBA Stadium, and Melbourne will likely confront 2021 grand final rivals Western Bulldogs on a Sunday afternoon at the MCG in round 1.
Following the success of Gather Round in South Australia last year, new chief executive Andrew Dillon said the league wanted to start the season with a bang in the northern markets.
“We were fortunate to be in a position where we were able to have access to our major venues in Queensland and New South Wales a weekend earlier than usual which gave us a unique opportunity to play these four games in key markets where footy continues to grow in popularity,” Dillon said.
“The four match-ups are big, with four of our biggest supported Victorian clubs travelling north, and we look forward to starting our season with real momentum before we head into a blockbuster round of matches in round 1.
“Given this weekend also falls on the Labour Day long weekend in Victoria it presents a terrific opportunity for fans to travel north to support their club and enjoy an extended interstate break.
“We are driven to have footy in every home around the country, whether that be playing, coaching, umpiring, supporting or volunteering and starting the season across Queensland and NSW will only amplify this desire.”
The full fixture will be released on Thursday, and will include Brisbane versus Collingwood on Easter Thursday, a North Melbourne versus Carlton clash on Good Friday, Essendon versus Carlton King’s Birthday Eve game, and a bumper St Kilda home MCG clash against Collingwood in round 2.
Collingwood and Carlton are expected to feature prominently in the prime time Thursday and Friday night slots this year as the rivals and premiership heavyweights look to challenge for the 2024 flag.
Marvel Stadium will be out of action in round 1 due to two midweek Pink concerts.
Originally published as AFL fixture news: Opening Round revealed, Swans and Dees to kickstart season, more early mail
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