AFL Fixture / Nick Tedeschi / 18 December 2009 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

For the third year in a row, Richmond and Carlton will clash in the season opening match of the AFL, writes Nick Tedeschi.

"AFL Premiers Geelong will start their title defence against Essendon, with the AFL having abandoned the policy they had between 2007-09 where the grand finalists from the previous year would meet again in the opening round."

The AFL season will open on March 25, with the two teams meeting at the MCG. It is the fourth year in a row when the two sides have come up against each other in round one.

AFL Premiers Geelong will start their title defence against Essendon, with the AFL having abandoned the policy they had between 2007-09 where the grand finalists from the previous year would meet again in the opening round.


Big day for Johnson


Elsewhere in round one, Brad Johnson will be hoping to be fit for the Western Bulldogs' clash with Collingwood at Etihad Stadium on March 28 as it would be his 350th match.

Other round one clashes see last year's beaten grand finalists St Kilda start their 2010 campaign against Sydney at ANZ Stadium, while the Brisbane Lions are at home first up against West Coast.

Port Adelaide plays North Melbourne at AAMI Stadium while Fremantle closes the opening round out with a game against Adelaide.

Brendan Fevola's move from Carlton to the Lions was one of the big transactions of the close season, and he gets an early renewal with his old team when they clash at The Gabba on April 1, starting round two.



Geelong paired with Hawks in round two



Premiers Geelong have an intersting round two clash with Hawthorn at the MCG, followed by what looks on paper an easy task against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval in round three.

Round five is the ANZAC Day round, with Western Bulldogs taking on Adelaide at Etihad Stadium on April 23, while the Saturday games see Sydney play West Coast, Melbourne take on Brisbane Lions and Port Adelaide host St Kilda at AAMI Stadium.

The following day, Collingwood and Essendon clash at the MCG, Hawthorn take on North Melbourne at Aurora Stadium, Fremantle have a home game against Richmond and Carlton and Geelong play each other at the MCG.

The draw for Rivalry Round the following week pits the Western Bulldogs against St Kilda on April 30.

Other games that weekend will see North Melbourne take on Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, Adelaide meet Port Adelaide, Essendon and Hawthorn clash and Sydney meet Brisbane Lions in the Saturday fixtures. The three Sunday clashes will see Geelong play Richmond, Carlton meet Collingwood and West Coast play Fremantle.

Tags: AFL, AFL fixture, Geelong, round one, St Kilda