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With all bar the big one played out for season 2015, we know the teams who have earned a few Fridays, those who are exciting enough to be given a bit of grace, and which have next-to-no hope of getting any prominent timeslots.
This is how Round 1 next year should unfold (all times local):
Richmond versus Carlton
Thursday, March 24, 7:20pm
Melbourne Cricket Ground
Despite the Blues’ wooden spoon season this year, their annual season opening match against Richmond will remain; this will also double as the official coaching debut of their new coach, Brendon Bolton.
As for the Tigers, they’ll be keen to start the new season with a win, and hopefully go one better in 2016 after their season ended with a third consecutive elimination final exit in 2015.
Gold Coast Suns versus Port Adelaide
Saturday, March 26, 12:40pm
Metricon Stadium
For the first time, there will be two matches in south-east Queensland in the same round, the first of which will see the Gold Coast Suns host Port Adelaide on the Saturday afternoon at Metricon Stadium.
With Charlie Dixon expected to land at Port Adelaide during the trade period, his debut game for the Power, who are coached by ex-Suns assistant Ken Hinkley, could see him return home to the holiday strip, where he made a name as a foundation player.
West Coast Eagles versus GWS Giants
Saturday, March 26, 1:35pm
Domain Stadium
Having kicked 24 goals in four matches against GWS (including an eleven-goal haul in 2014), reigning Coleman Medallist Josh Kennedy and his West Coast Eagles will relish an opening round home showdown against the Giants, who will be expected to take the next step up and contend for a finals berth in 2016.
With the Giants’ regular home ground Spotless Stadium unavailable due to the Sydney Royal Easter Show, Leon Cameron’s men will be forced on the road for at least the first five-to-six rounds of the season, and a first round trip to Perth, where their average losing margin is 83 points, will test the players’ mentality early on.
Brisbane Lions versus Sydney Swans
Saturday, March 26, 6:20pm
Gabba
The second match in south-east Queensland will see the Brisbane Lions take on the Sydney Swans at the Gabba on Saturday night.
It will be the first time the two clubs have met in the opening round since 2004, will be the third consecutive meeting between the two clubs at the Gabba, and will also be their only meeting in season 2016, as was the case in the last four seasons.
After a poor 2015 season, the Lions will be out to make a statement against the new-look Swans, who will be without retired duo Adam Goodes and Rhyce Shaw, and possibly Lewis Jetta but will still be expected to contend for another flag in 2016.
Collingwood versus Western Bulldogs
Saturday, March 26, 7:20pm
Melbourne Cricket Ground
As mentioned above, the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood have requested to play each other in Round 1 next year, which will mark the first time since 2010 that they have done so.
The Bulldogs’ improved 2015 season will see it afforded more commercial opportunities as the club looks to emulate its stunning resurgence this year in 2016. A date with the Pies, finals casualties for the second year running, could be the perfect opening round test.
The Pies, on the other hand, will be keen to be a part of September action again next season and with Adam Treloar expected to be on board, there will be reason for the club and their fans to believe.
North Melbourne versus Fremantle
Sunday, March 27, 1:10pm
Blundstone Arena
Like the Hawks did in 2014, North Melbourne could look to start its 2016 season in Tasmania, and what better opponent to do it against in the form of Fremantle, who will almost certainly have a new skipper with Matthew Pavlich expected to announce his retirement very soon.
This season, the Roos drew a record crowd to Hobart’s Bellerive Oval for its Round 6 clash against Richmond, and went three from three at the venue, defeating the Tigers, the West Coast Eagles in Round 10, and St Kilda in Round 20.
In addition, the Roos were able to beat the Dockers when they met at Etihad Stadium in Round 21, and as for the Dockers, they’ll be hoping that they fare better in Hobart after being on the wrong end of too many lopsided losses in Launceston.
Adelaide Crows versus St Kilda
Sunday, March 27, 2:50pm
Adelaide Oval
For the second consecutive year, the Adelaide Crows will have the honour of playing the first game of the season at the Adelaide Oval, and it will come against St Kilda, another side expected to improve in season 2016.
As was the case last year, for the Crows it will be their first game under a debutant coach, who is yet to be appointed by the club to permanently succeed the late Phil Walsh.
It will also be the third time in five seasons the Saints have started a season with an interstate match, having played Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium in 2012 and Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium in 2013.
Essendon versus Melbourne
Sunday, March 27, 4:40pm
Melbourne Cricket Ground
Another traditional opening round match could be borne out of Essendon and Melbourne, with the former expected to appoint John Worsfold as its new coach at some point this month.
And how appropriate would it be that his first game as Bombers coach is against Paul Roos, who guided the Sydney Swans to their 2005 flag against Worsfold’s West Coast Eagles, who in return coached the Eagles to the 2006 flag against Roos’ Swans.
This will be the final season in which Roos is in charge of the Melbourne Demons, and their slow but gradual progress will be expected to continue on in 2016 before he hands the keys to Simon Goodwin in 2017.
Geelong Cats versus Hawthorn
Monday, March 28, 3:20pm
Melbourne Cricket Ground
And finally, Round 1 next year will conclude with the traditional Easter Monday showdown between the Geelong Cats and Hawthorn.
With the fixture being a Cats home game this year, it is unlikely that the Hawks will unfurl their premiership flag (if of course they are victorious in the grand final this Saturday), in which case they’ll do it very likely in Round 2.
After missing the finals for the first time since 2006, the Cats will be out to take it right up to the Hawks, and it could also double as the first game in the blue and white hoops for Patrick Dangerfield, if as expected he calls Kardinia Park home next season.
As for the Hawks, they’ll be keen to start their bid for a four-peat (not achieved since Collingwood in 1927-30) with another big win against the Cats, whom they defeated twice in a season for the first time since 2006 this year.
That’s how I think Round 1 next year should unfold. It could shape as arguably the biggest opening round in recent AFL history, with four MCG blockbusters, two games in south-east Queensland, as well as matches in Perth, Adelaide and Hobart.
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