A Grand Final re-match will mark the opening round of the 2022 AFL Premiership season, with an all-Sydney clash also included in the first week of action.
Typically, Carlton hosts Richmond on a Thursday night to signal the beginning of a new season, however Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs have been given this honour, when they clash on Wednesday March 16.
The Blues and Tigers retain their traditional Thursday timeslot, before a Friday night clash between St Kilda and Collingwood, along with three-game spreads on Saturday and Sunday.
The city of Melbourne will be treated to a football feast, with five matches played there in round one, with four of them at the MCG.
Sydney, however, will play host to the local rivalry between the Sydney Swans and GWS Giants on Saturday March 19.
A large crowd is expected for the game, with the Giants to host the Swans at Accor Stadium in Olympic Park, rather than their smaller home stadium.
Footy is BACK in NSW!
— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) December 3, 2021
Battle of the Bridge XXIII, the next chapter awaits 📚
The new fixture list will see twelve games played in Victoria in the space of ten days, with the league also announcing that all seven matches of the AFLW’s Round 10 will be held in Victoria alongside the five opening round Victorian-based AFL matches.
This marks the first time that all ten Victorian clubs will play in their home state in the same round since 2016.
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said in a statement that fans will be treated to an exciting start of the season.
“The footy festival will bring people together and be able to give all Victorians and footy fans from regional Victoria and interstate an opportunity to come to a game and see their AFLW and AFL teams," McLachlan said.
“We want to get big crowds back to the footy, the weekly ritual of being able to go to a game and the sense of community it creates.
"Connecting families and friends is something we have missed in the state."
The full fixture list for the opening round is below:
Round 1 - AFL
| Date | Match | Time (AEDT) | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed Mar 16 | Melbourne vs Western Bulldogs | 7.10pm | MCG |
| Thur Mar 17 | Carlton vs Richmond | 7.25pm | MCG |
| Fri Mar 18 | St Kilda vs Collingwood | 7.50pm | Marvel Stadium |
| Sat Mar 19 | Geelong vs Essendon | 2.10pm | MCG |
| Sat Mar 19 | GWS vs Sydney | 5.10pm | Accor Stadium |
| Sat Mar 19 | Brisbane vs Port Adelaide | 8.10pm | Gabba |
| Sun Mar 20 | Hawthorn vs North Melbourne | 1.10pm | MCG |
| Sun Mar 20 | Adelaide vs Fremantle | 4.10pm | Adelaide Oval |
| Sun Mar 20 | West Coast vs Gold Coast | 7.40pm | Optus Stadium |
