By Roy Ward
The AFL has released the fixture for round one of the 2023 men’s season, which will pit Ross Lyon’s Saints against his former club Fremantle, and mark a return to the traditional Carlton-Richmond season opener on a Thursday night.
As reported last month by The Age, there will be no grand final rematch to start the new season next year. In 2022, the league had trialled a season opener featuring grand finalists of the previous season when Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs played on the Wednesday night at the MCG.
Dion Prestia’s Tigers and Patrick Cripps’ Blues will meet in the season opener.Credit:AFL Photos
The AFL confirmed on Sunday morning that Richmond and Carlton would play the first match of the season on Thursday March 16 at the MCG. The Tigers and Blues have opened the season for seven of the last eight years.
Lyon’s first game in his second stint as St Kilda coach will end the first round with a Sunday clash against his former club Fremantle on March 19.
Premiers Geelong will begin their title defence with a clash against Collingwood at the MCG to begin Friday night footy for 2023, while Alistair Clarkson’s reign as North Melbourne coach begins the Saturday fixtures, against West Coast at Marvel Stadium.
Port Adelaide and Brisbane will meet in Adelaide in a late afternoon meeting, while Melbourne and the Bulldogs will play in round one but as the Saturday night game at the MCG.
AFL round one, 2023
Thursday, March 16
- Richmond v Carlton, MCG, 7.20pm AEDT
Friday, March 17
- Geelong v Collingwood, MCG, 7.40pm AEDT
Saturday, March 18
- North Melbourne v West Coast, Marvel Stadium, 1.45pm AEDT
- Port Adelaide v Brisbane, Adelaide Oval, 4.05pm ACDT
- Melbourne v Western Bulldogs, MCG, 7.25pm AEDT
- Gold Coast v Sydney, Metricon Stadium, 7.00pm AEST
Sunday, March 19
- GWS v Adelaide, Giants Stadium, 1.10pm AEDT
- Hawthorn v Essendon, MCG, 3.20pm AEDT
- St Kilda v Fremantle, Marvel Stadium, 4.40pm AEDT
Gold Coast and Sydney will also play at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.
GWS and Adelaide will open Sunday’s games at Giants Stadium followed by another rivalry game between two re-emerging sides and fierce rivals in Hawthorn and Essendon, now led by Brad Scott, at the MCG.
As reported by The Age last month, the league will not have floating fixture for the first 15 rounds of next year, having reacted to the wishes and complaints of fans. Crowds had been well below 2019 levels early in 2022, but recovered late in the season, in part due to the surge up the ladder of Collingwood and Carlton, improvement in the game as a spectacle and an apparent reduction in COVID-19 anxiety for public gatherings.
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.
