The AFL has announced the fixture for Round One of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.
In a return to tradition, long-time rivals Richmond and Carlton will open the season, followed by 2022 premiers Geelong Cats hosting Collingwood in a Friday night blockbuster and back-to-back games at the MCG to open the season.
The Tigers and Blues opened every season between 2015 and 2021, before a Grand Final rematch between Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs took the spot earlier this year.
But the rivalry will be renewed in the opening game of 2023, played at the MCG on Thursday, March 16.
Melbourne v Western Bulldogs on Saturday night highlights a super Saturday with four matches across Marvel Stadium, Metricon Stadium, Adelaide Oval and the MCG.
All Victorian-based clubs will play in Melbourne in Round One, with the MCG hosting games on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and Marvel Stadium on Saturday and Sunday.
The full fixture, with the first 15 rounds plus rounds, match-ups and locations for the rest of the season, will be released next week.
Round 1, 2023
Thursday, March 16
Richmond v Carlton, MCG, 7.20pm AEDT, Seven
Friday, March 17
Geelong v Collingwood, MCG, 7.40pm AEDT, Seven
Saturday, March 18
North Melbourne v West Coast, Marvel Stadium, 1.45pm AEDT, Fox
Port Adelaide v Brisbane, Adelaide Oval, 4.05pm ACDT, Fox
Melbourne v Western Bulldogs, MCG, 7.25pm AEDT, Seven
Gold Coast v Sydney, Metricon Stadium, 7.00pm AEST, Fox
Sunday, March 19
Greater Western Sydney v Adelaide, Giants Stadium, 1.10pm AEDT, Fox
Hawthorn v Essendon, MCG, 3.20pm AEDT, Seven
St Kilda v Fremantle, Marvel Stadium, 4.40pm AEDT, Fox
