One more year for ANZ Stadium deal

According to Caro, we're hosting Easter Saturday at the MCG again, vs GWS to open the season.

This isn't finalised yet, but Caro is usually on the money when it comes to fixture news.

Will be a pleasure beating them in back to back games

Thats a great game to open the season actually, two young teams chock full of talent looking to rise up the ladder

Hogan at one end, Cameron at the other

And the best part is that it isnt a dead rubber!

Yey interstate team on easter sunday.

$$$$$$$$

Oh.

Does it count as 2 in a row? Very debatable......but Id take it.

Wow lets hope it goes as well as r1 this year when we thrashed the suns. It will be great to see Hogan and Cameron up both ends. Stevie J's first proper game for them as well. Bring it on.

Really hope we get a decent first half of the season draw though....its very important for memberships. If we are up there after 6 rounds it will bode well for the club. Eddie seems to be able to do it for the Pies....they had the softest draw last year....

Hogan at one end, Cameron at the other taking zero contested marks and being gifted goals

efa

They're always pretty kind to us in Round 1. Should be a good game but I wish we could start against Essendon or Carlton.

I wanted WCE in Perth

Or Hawks

Will be a pleasure beating them in back to back games

Thats a great game to open the season actually, two young teams chock full of talent looking to rise up the ladder

Hogan at one end, Cameron at the other

And the best part is that it isnt a dead rubber!

Cannot believe this arrogance/naivety is still around. We've won one first round game in years. I'm not saying we won't, but I wouldn't be that confident.

They're always pretty kind to us in Round 1. Should be a good game but I wish we could start against Essendon or Carlton.

Yeah they have been kind to us.

We haven't travelled in round 1 since 1998.

Yeah they have been kind to us.

We haven't travelled in round 1 since 1998.

that's where the kindness ends, i think we had the hardest 10 rounds in the comp this last season.

I wanted WCE in Perth

Or Hawks

Yeah stuff it. Let's have a challenge. First 5 rounds - Hawks, WC in Perth, Sydney in Sydney, Freo in Perth and Port Adelaide in Adelaide. 5 from 5 right there. C'mon AFL. Give us a fixture to test us. None of this playing aginst bottom 8 teams early on rubbish.

Cannot believe this arrogance/naivety is still around. We've won one first round game in years. I'm not saying we won't, but I wouldn't be that confident.

You took all that from my first line? lol.. chill pill AF

Of course its gonna be a bloody hard game

Yey interstate team on easter sunday.

$$$$$$$$

Oh.

It seems to be the Saturday, not Sunday, which should be slightly more financially beneficial.

Incredibly fortunate IMO to be in Melbourne for Round 1 again. Also quite lucky we get Easter Saturday whilst the Dogs are given a home game on Easter Sunday instead.

Already cannot wait.

Incredibly fortunate IMO to be in Melbourne for Round 1 again. Also quite lucky we get Easter Saturday whilst the Dogs are given a home game on Easter Sunday instead.

Already cannot wait.

The article mentioned that the dogs v saints game will be the feature Saturday night game of the round.

One more year for ANZ Stadium deal

According to Caro, we're hosting Easter Saturday at the MCG again, vs GWS to open the season.

This isn't finalised yet, but Caro is usually on the money when it comes to fixture news.

As long as it is at the "G" and not docklands.

Surely the AFL realise Melbourne supporters hate that joint.

Easter Saturday, first game of the season, we could break the 20K barrier.

http://m.afl.com.au/news/2015-10-24/round-one-fixture-tigers-and-blues-kick-off-2016-season

Confirmed:

Apart from the usual rd 1 contests like Richmond v Carlton and Geelong v Hawthorn, other games of note include North hosting Adelaide, Dogs at home to Freo and Sydney v's Collingwood at ANZ.

Essendon and St Kilda both have to travel.

Round one fixture:

Thursday, March 24

Richmond v Carlton, MCG

Saturday

Melbourne v Greater Western Sydney, MCG*

Gold Coast v Essendon, Metricon Stadium

Sydney Swans v Collingwood, ANZ Stadium

North Melbourne v Adelaide, Etihad Stadium

Sunday

Western Bulldogs v Fremantle, Etihad Stadium

Port Adelaide v St Kilda, Adelaide Oval

West Coast v Brisbane Lions, Domain Stadium

Monday

Geelong v Hawthorn, MCG

* Fox Footy 1:40pm

Saturday arvo r1 in march is a great result. I think we will get a good crowd. Hopefully a cracking day weather wise. Well we should and I cant wait for it.

Hope howe enjoys his first trip to ANZ stadium.

Not great for us financially, but a good chance to win and get off to a good start, which in the long term is financially beneficial.

Will be watching from Tuscany, jealous of everyone who can be there live to cheer on Petracca.

Extremely generous given Essendon, St Kilda and Brizzy all have to travel

Not complaining though

And here's my stab on side for Rd 1 - assumes no pre-season injuries.

Small defenders (3): Salem, Bugg, Melksham (I really think this is why we recruited him)

Mid-defender (1): Lumumba

Tall defenders (3): Garland, Dunn and T-Mac

Ruck (1): Gawn

Mids (6) - Viney, Vince, N.Jones, Brayshaw, Vandenberg, Stretch.

High HF (2) - Watts, Harmes

Small forwards (3) - Garlett, Kennedy/Kent, Petracca

Tall forwards (3) - Hoges, Frost, Dawes

Emerg from: Jetta, Grimes, Junior Mac, Neal-Bullen

Not great for us financially, but a good chance to win and get off to a good start, which in the long term is financially beneficial.

Will be watching from Tuscany, jealous of everyone who can be there live to cheer on Petracca.

Try not to point and laugh at "David's" doodle.

And lay off the wine until the game starts.......

They're always pretty kind to us in Round 1. Should be a good game but I wish we could start against Essendon or Carlton.

Good idea.

A loss against a WADA depleted essedun, with VFL top ups, would be great for membership.

Would like Carlton, as a 10 goal win would be a nice way to kick the season off.