3 minute read
Some of the key features of the 2019 AFL fixture, which AFL fixturing boss Travis Auld announced on Thursday.
* The now-traditional Carlton v Richmond season opener at the MCG is on Thursday, March 21.
* The grand final is on September 28, with the time slot yet to be confirmed.
* Adelaide, Brisbane, Essendon, Geelong, Melbourne, Richmond, Sydney and the Western Bulldogs all have one five-day break. As compensation, all have at least seven-day breaks before and at least nine-day breaks after.
* Two round-nine games could be swapped, depending on whether Melbourne Victory loom as potential A League grand final hosts. The games in question are Essendon v Fremantle on Saturday night at Marvel Stadium and Sunday's Port Adelaide-Gold Coast match.
* West Coast will unfurl the premiership flag in round two against GWS - also captain Shannon Hurn's 250th game.
* Round three will feature the grand final rematch at the MCG.
* Good Friday double header - North Melbourne v Essendon at Marvel Stadium from 4.20pm and West Coast v Port Adelaide from 8.10pm (AEST).
* Easter and Anzac Day through rounds five and six (April 18-28), with at least one game on 10 of the 11 days.
* Your team and the key Thursday/Friday night time slots:
9 games: Collingwood (2 Thursday, 7 Friday)
6: Essendon (2/4) Richmond (3/3) Sydney (1/5)
5: Adelaide (2/3) Hawthorn (0/5)
4: Geelong (1/3) Melbourne (1/3) West Coast (1/3)
3: North Melbourne (0/3) Port Adelaide (0/3)
2: GWS (1/1)
1: Brisbane (1/0) Carlton (1/0) Western Bulldogs (0/1)
0: Fremantle, Gold Coast, St Kilda
* Champions Data's club-by-club fixture rankings (hardest to easiest)
1. Collingwood
2. Hawthorn
3. North Melbourne
4. West Coast
5. Melbourne
6. Essendon
7. Sydney
8. Fremantle
9. GWS
10. Port Adelaide
11. Carlton
12. Geelong
13. Richmond
14. Western Bulldogs
15. Gold Coast
16. Brisbane
17. Adelaide
18. St Kilda
