VERDICT
The fixture will offer Mark Neeld's re-shaped team a golden chance to climb the ladder, if it's good enough. The Demons play the Brisbane Lions, Greater Western Sydney, Gold Coast, Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs twice, and leave the MCG only twice in the opening 14 rounds. They play 14 games on Saturday or Sunday afternoon, but won't appear at all on Friday night. The Demons have only three six-day breaks but, due to their home game in Darwin, six interstate trips.
CLUB REACTION
"The fixture presents some commercial challenges for the club, with six of our home games at the MCG being against interstate clubs. Playing a home game at Etihad isn't ideal for our members and it is our stated, clear preference not to play home games at Etihad Stadium. Having said that, to kick off the year playing 12 of the first 14 games at the MCG, is obviously a great result for our members and supporters. Overall, the Melbourne Football Club recognises we need to earn the right for a stronger commercial fixture by improved on field performance." - Melbourne CEO Cameron Schwab.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Season opener to be played at home against Port Adelaide on Easter Sunday at the MCG.
- 12 of the first 14 matches scheduled at the MCG, including home games against fellow Victorian clubs Hawthorn (round 10), Collingwood (round 11) and the Western Bulldogs (round 14).
- Will again host the traditional Queen's Birthday holiday match against Collingwood at the MCG in round 11.
- Home match to again be played at TIO Stadium in Darwin, against the Brisbane Lions in round 17.
- Will play the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne for the final round of 2013, after travelling interstate in round 23, 2012.
- Must face only one of the 2012 finalists twice - Fremantle.
To download a pdf version of the 2013 fixture, click here.
| RD | DATE | OPPONENT | VENUE | H/A | LOCAL TIME |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunday, March 31 | Port Adelaide | MCG | Home | 1.10pm |
| 2 | Saturday, April 6 | Essendon | MCG | Away | 7.40pm |
| 3 | Saturday, April 13 | West Coast Eagles | MCG | Home | 2.10pm |
| 4 | Sunday, April 21 | GWS GIANTS | MCG | Home | 1.10pm |
| 5 | Sunday, April 28 | Brisbane Lions | Gabba | Away | 3.15pm |
| 6 | Sunday, May 5 | Carlton | MCG | Away | 3.15pm |
| 7 | Sunday, May 12 | Gold Coast SUNS | MCG | Home | 4.40pm |
| 8 | Sunday, May 19 | Richmond | MCG | Away | 3.15pm |
| 9 | Sunday, May 26 | Fremantle | Patersons Stadium | Away | 2.40pm |
| 10 | Sunday, June 2 | Hawthorn | MCG | Home | 3.15pm |
| 11 | Monday, June 10 | Collingwood | MCG | Home | 3.15pm |
| 12 | Bye | ||||
| 13 | Saturday, June 22 | St Kilda | MCG | Away | 4.40pm |
| 14 | Saturday, June 29 | Western Bulldogs | MCG | Home | 7.40pm |
| 15 | Sunday, July 7 | Sydney Swans | MCG | Home | 1.10pm |
| 16 | Saturday, July 13 | Geelong Cats | Simonds Stadium | Away | 2.10pm |
| 17 | Saturday, July 20 | Brisbane Lions | TIO Stadium | Home | 7.10pm |
| 18 | Saturday, July 27 | North Melbourne | Etihad Stadium | Home | 2.10pm |
| 19 | Saturday, August 3 | GWS GIANTS | Skoda Stadium | Away | 1.45pm |
| 20 | Saturday, August 10 | Gold Coast SUNS | Metricon Stadium | Away | 7.40pm |
| 21 | Sunday, August 18 | Fremantle | MCG | Home | 1.10pm |
| 22 | Saturday, August 24 | Adelaide Crows | AAMI Stadium | Away | 1.15pm |
| 23 | TBC | Western Bulldogs | Etihad Stadium | Away | TBC |
