Richmond will kick off its 2011 NAB Cup campaign with matches against traditional foes Carlton and Collingwood, in the revamped pre-season competition.
The three teams will do battle at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, February 12, 2011, with the first match taking place against Carlton, in a series of 40-minute, lightning premiership, night games.
Given the long-standing rivalry between the Tigers, Blues and Magpies, this shapes as a red-hot start to the new football year in late summer.
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“Supporters will see their team play twice and, all up, there will be three matches played during a three-hour period,” said the AFL’s chief operating officer Gillon McLachlan.
"We had received a lot of feedback from clubs that three full-scale pre-season matches was the right number of them in terms of their preparation for the premiership season.
“This format allows for three matches, along with a first week where players can play one match for 40 minutes, with a light run, or play both games for 80 minutes of football.”
In all, 18 clubs, including Greater Western Sydney, will compete in the opening round of next year’s NAB Cup competition.
The clubs have been divided into six pools of three, with members of each pool gathering at one venue to play games consisting of two 20-minute halves.
The teams that top their pools will automatically gain a place in the second round, while the two best-performing runners-up will also progress as wildcards.
All second-round matches, along with the semi-final and grand final, will be full-length games.
The 2011 NAB Cup grand final will be held on Friday, March 11.
For full first round details, click here
Opening round pools plus locations
• Adelaide, Port Adelaide and Melbourne at AAMI Stadium, February 11 (Friday night).
• Richmond, Carlton and Collingwood at Etihad Stadium, February 12 (Saturday night).
• Fremantle, West Coast and Hawthorn at Patersons Stadium (Subiaco Oval), February 13 (Sunday afternoon).
• Essendon, St Kilda and Brisbane at Etihad Stadium, February 18 (Friday night).
• Greater Western Sydney, Sydney and Gold Coast at Blacktown Olympic Park, February 19 (Saturday night).
• Geelong, North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs at Skilled Stadium, February 20 (Sunday afternoon).
