WHEN the fixture landed, which game did your club's supporters look for first?

Every season, there are just some games that mean a little more than others, whether that be because of a long-standing rivalry, a cross-city battle or seeking revenge for a heartbreaking finals loss.

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And with some big names moving clubs this off-season, the 'revenge games' against their former clubs are always ones to watch as well.

With the release of the 2027 fixture, we've pinpointed the one game that your club will be looking forward to the most.

Round 8 v Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, Fri May 7, 8.10pm AEST

This is always one to watch and it'll be no different in 2027. The first Showdown of 2026 was a classic, with Brayden Cook's match-winner giving the Crows the win, before the Power turned the tables in round 16 with an upset win that ultimately cost the Crows a shot at a top-four finish.

Round 2 v Collingwood at the Gabba, Thu May 25, 7.50pm AEDT

This could be one of the all-time home-and-away games for the Lions. Not only will the three-time champions unfurl their latest premiership flag, they will also welcome back former skipper Lachie Neale who will be playing just his second game for the Magpies. Dayne Zorko is also set to break Simon Black's games record of 322 on the night.

Round 5 v Collingwood at the MCG, Thu Apr 15, 7.30pm AEST

Two of Victoria's biggest clubs is always a highly anticipated contest. In the corresponding match last season, Blues youngster Talor Byrne had a chance to level scores after the final siren, but his long-range effort drifted wide. The Magpies won the return bout with a big second half to clean sweep the season series, and both sides should be evenly matched in 2027.

Round 15 v Gold Coast at People First Stadium, Sat June 26, 7.35pm AEST

Following a League record 442 games in the black-and-white, Scott Pendlebury will be donning the red of Gold Coast in 2027. Pies fans will have to travel to Carrara to see him play his former club though, with no return bout at the MCG. It might be strange seeing 'Pendles' in different colours, but it should be a match worth waiting for, particularly after the fiery game the two sides played last year.

Round 3 v Hawthorn at the MCG, Sat April 3, 7.45pm AEDT

Bombers fans, and footy fans in general, won't have to wait long to see Zach Merrett take on his former club. The seven-time best and fairest winner got his wish of a move to Hawthorn at the second time of asking during the off-season and now we all wait to see the reception he gets from the red and black faithful, both on and off the field.

Round 8 v Brisbane at Optus Stadium, Sun May 9, 7.20pm AEST

The Grand Final rematch will be circled on the Dockers' schedule. After losing last season's decider in the most heartbreaking fashion, Justin Longmuir's team will have had more than eight months to sit on that result before hosting the Lions in this blockbuster. The teams will then meet again eight weeks later at the Gabba.

Round 2 v Hawthorn at the MCG, Mon Mar 29, 3.15pm AEDT

Easter Monday is a staple on the fixture and almost always delivers, just as it did last season. In a rollicking, see-sawing contest, Jack Gunston slammed the winning behind into the post in the final 15 seconds after both the Hawks and Cats held final-quarter leads. Two of the century's most successful clubs going head-to-head early in 2027 is a recipe for exciting footy, especially given both are set to be in flag contention again.

Round 12 v Brisbane at the Gabba, Sat June 5, 4.35pm AEST

Following a disappointing 2026 every match for the Suns is huge, but it's hard to go past the QClash. Aside from isolated victories in 2023 and 2025, Gold Coast has usually folded under Brisbane's pressure in what is often a referendum on its progress as a team. The Gabba will be packed and the heat on Damien Hardwick's team.

Round 7 v Geelong at Engie Stadium, Sat May 1, 4.35pm AEST

If you think Engie Stadium puts on a decent fireworks display at the Royal Easter Show, wait until Toby Greene takes the field in blue and white hoops for the first time. There's nothing like a hometown anti-hero returning as an out-and-out villain, and while Giants fans aren't known for turning their home ground into a cauldron, the orange-filled stands will be bubbling like pumpkin soup as GWS looks to make it a very special sixth win in a row against Geelong.

Round 1 v Brisbane at the MCG, Fri Mar 19, 7.50pm AEDT

This year's preliminary final between these two clubs was an instant classic hailed as the best final this century - possibly ever - and it came with enough controversy to put a hive full of bees under the Hawks' bonnet. The additions of Ben King and Zach Merrett make Hawthorn look almost impregnable, but, as Hugh McCluggage proved in the dying moments, Brisbane often has a way to find a win and will want to start its four-peat campaign with a statement.

Round 8 v West Coast at the MCG, Sun May 9, 3.15pm AEST

Melbourne has won the past four meetings between these clubs by an average of more than 50 points, but West Coast's pre-season additions of former Demons Trent Rivers and club great Jack Viney will add a massive incentive to the Eagles' efforts. Expect Andrew McQualter to draw heavily on the pair's inside knowledge as he tries to claim an impressive scalp on the road to show his side is heading in the right direction.

Round 2 v Carlton at Marvel Stadium, Fri Mar 26, 3.15pm AEDT

New coach, new big recruit and a big stage - this is North's chance to make an early-season statement. After breaking their Good Friday drought last year, the Kangaroos should fancy themselves to take a scalp early in the season against a team that played finals in 2026.

Round 4 v Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval, Sun Apr 11, 7.15pm AEST

Zak Butters was arguably Port Adelaide’s best player as it fell to the Western Bulldogs by two points in the two clubs' only encounter this year, and now the playmaker is on the other side creating a super midfield with Marcus Bontempelli and Ed Richards. But talent can take second place when facing the Power at Adelaide Oval with the stands full of teal-clad fans. Expect Josh Carr's side to treat this one like it's a Showdown.

Round 1 v Carlton at the MCG, Sat Mar 20, 12.35pm AEDT

The Tigers are not pleased to have been demoted from the Thursday night slot in round one, so there's no better way to make a statement than with a big win against the Blues. These two have had some nail-biters in recent years and the young Tigers could well fancy their chances of an upset to start the season.

Round 1 v Collingwood at the MCG, Sat Mar 20, 7.40pm AEDT

The Rowan Marshall reunion at Gather Round will have some extra spice, but it is vital the Saints start the season strongly in what is a massive year for the club after two years without finals. Facing a brutal six-week stretch against the Pies, Bulldogs, Demons, Cats, Power and Dockers to start 2027, the Saints desperately need to win games against teams they are - on paper at least - evenly matched with. A home game on a massive MCG stage is the perfect time to start.

Round 8 v North Melbourne at the SCG, Sat May 8, 7.35pm AEST

This will be FIERY. Nick Blakey's relationship with the Swans deteriorated so badly after the Pullman Hotel scandal that he's found his way to North Melbourne, so it will be fascinating to see the response he gets when he returns to the SCG. The crowd will no doubt be vocal, but the reception from his former teammates will be one to watch.

Round 5 v Fremantle at Optus Stadium, Fri Apr 16, 8.10pm AEST

The Eagles are hoping to progress from their four wins in 2026 and there's no bigger test of improvement than a Derby against the Dockers. In the primetime Friday night slot, Harley Reid, Willem Duursma and co have the chance to pit themselves against Caleb Serong, Andy Braysahw and Shai Bolton and get an early-season examination to find out just where they sit.

Round 5 v Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium, Sat Apr 17, 7.35pm AEST

Two teams wanting the same thing - a top four finish - with recent history. When they met in the back half of 2026, the Bulldogs got over the line by six points, but not before plenty of niggle from both teams. There was a huge melee on the half-time siren and Will Lewis and James Sicily waged footy war all evening, as did Michael Sellwood and Nick Watson. Throw new faces Zak Butters and Zach Merrett into the mix and this should be a beauty.