Collingwood players huddle during last year's pre-season game at Morwell Recreation Reserve. Picture: Getty Images

FOOTBALL is returning to Moorabbin with St Kilda hosting Hawthorn in the opening match of the Marsh Community Series at its original home at RSEA Park.

FULL MCS FIXTURE Where and when your club is playing

The two sides will open the three-week pre-season series on Thursday, February 20, with the clash set to become the first senior game played at RSEA Oval (pictured) in more than 25 years. 

Moorabbin is one of three new suburbs named for Marsh Community Series games next year, with Lathlain in Western Australia and the South Australian town of Whyalla to also host their first matches.

Mineral Resources Park (pictured) in Lathlain, which acts as West Coast's training base, will host the side's clash against Essendon on Thursday, February 27 to begin the second weekend of action.

Meanwhile, Bennett Oval in Whyalla will be the venue for Port Adelaide's encounter with the Western Bulldogs in the third and final weekend of the Marsh Community Series.

Marvel Stadium, Metricon Stadium and UTAS Stadium are the only 'traditional' AFL venues set to host matches across the 18-game series.

Last year's Grand Finalists, Richmond and Greater Western Sydney, will renew acquaintances very early in the new year when they meet in the pre-season's most high-profile contest at Robertson Oval in Wagga Wagga.

Each side will play two matches across three weekends in the non-competitive Marsh Community Series format, which was first brought into existence in 2014.