NEW CARLTON coach Mick Malthouse won't have to wait long for his duel with his old team Collingwood, with the AFL set to stage a round two blockbuster between the clubs at the MCG next year.

While the AFL will release the full fixture later this month, it is understood the League has agreed to the clubs' request for an early meeting to help capitalise on what looms as a captivating duel between Malthouse and his former club.

Malthouse, who was at the Magpies' helm for 12 seasons, will go head-to-head with Nathan Buckley, who replaced him at the end of last season.

Malthouse took Collingwood to the 2010 premiership, but signed an agreement a year earlier to let Buckley to take over as senior coach in 2012.

Following the 2011 Grand Final loss to Geelong, Malthouse told players and officials he would not fulfil his unspecified future role with the club and bowed out.

Malthouse chose to work in the media this year, but after much speculation about his coaching future, replaced the sacked Brett Ratten at Carlton in September.

The Blues and the Magpies will meet again in round 15 next season.

Carlton, Richmond and Essendon will all play against one another twice in the 2013 season, while the Pies will also do battle with the Bombers twice.

But due to the AFL's new procedure for scheduling team match ups on the basis of ladder position, the Pies and the Tigers will only meet once next season - likely to be in round four.

Geelong will play under lights for the first time at Simonds Stadium, after the recent upgrade of the ground, with the AFL likely to schedule three or more games at night at the Cattery.

It is believed the first clash under lights will be against Gold Coast on June 1.

Given their recent storied history, the Cats and the Hawks will also meet twice next season, the first the Easter Monday blockbuster at the MCG in round one.

Ben Guthrie is a reporter for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter- @AFL_BenGuthrie