Essendon will clock up more hours in the sky than most Victorian clubs, thanks to two trips to Perth. Their number of short breaks is also at the high end. But there is plenty to like about the fixture, too. The Bombers play Collingwood, West Coast, Carlton, Richmond and Greater Western Sydney twice, meaning return match-ups with only two of last season's top eight. They have five Friday night and five Saturday night matches.
CLUB REACTION
"It ... rewards our strong support base and television audiences with five Friday night games including the season opener against Adelaide. We're pleased the AFL has scheduled our round eleven match against Carlton to mark the club's 140th anniversary. We played the Blues on the same date back in 1873 and we look forward to adding yet another chapter to our oldest rivalry." - Bombers CEO Ian Robson
HIGHLIGHTS
- Will open the season in South Australia, up against Adelaide on Friday night at AAMI Stadium.
- Will host the traditional Anzac Day clash with Collingwood, on Thursday afternoon in round five.
- Four home matches scheduled at the MCG, against Melbourne, Collingwood, Carlton and Richmond.
- Again to feature in the 'Dreamtime at the 'G' clash with Richmond, the showpiece game of the Indigenous-themed round nine.
- Will play 11 night matches, including a Thursday night clash with West Coast at Patersons Stadium in round 14.
- Scheduled to meet only two of the 2012 finalists twice - Collingwood and West Coast.
To download a pdf version of the 2013 fixture, click here.
| RD | DATE | OPPONENT | VENUE | H/A | LOCAL TIME |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Friday, March 22 | Adelaide Crows | AAMI Stadium | Away | 8.10pm |
| 2 | Saturday, April 6 | Melbourne | MCG | Home | 7.40pm |
| 3 | Friday, April 12 | Fremantle | Patersons Stadium | Away | 6.40pm |
| 4 | Saturday, April 20 | St Kilda | Etihad Stadium | Away | 4.40pm |
| 5 | Thursday, April 25 | Collingwood | MCG | Home | 2.40pm |
| 6 | Saturday, May 4 | GWS GIANTS | Etihad Stadium | Home | 1.45pm |
| 7 | Friday, May 10 | Geelong Cats | Etihad Stadium | Away | 7.50pm |
| 8 | Saturday, May 18 | Brisbane Lions | Etihad Stadium | Home | 1.45pm |
| 9 | Saturday, May 25 | Richmond | MCG | Away | 7.45pm |
| 10 | Saturday, June 1 | Sydney Swans | SCG | Away | 4.40pm |
| 11 | Friday, June 7 | Carlton | MCG | Home | 7.50pm |
| 12 | Saturday, June 15 | Gold Coast SUNS | Etihad Stadium | Home | 7.40pm |
| 13 | Bye | ||||
| 14 | Thursday, June 27 | West Coast Eagles | Patersons Stadium | Away | 6.10pm |
| 15 | Sunday, July 7 | Port Adelaide | Etihad Stadium | Home | 4.40pm |
| 16 | Sunday, July 14 | Western Bulldogs | Etihad Stadium | Away | 3.15pm |
| 17 | Saturday, July 20 | GWS GIANTS | Skoda Stadium | Away | 7.40pm |
| 18 | Friday, July 26 | Hawthorn | Etihad Stadium | Home | 7.50pm |
| 19 | Sunday, August 4 | Collingwood | MCG | Away | 4.40pm |
| 20 | Sunday, August 11 | West Coast Eagles | Etihad Stadium | Home | 1.10pm |
| 21 | Saturday, August 17 | North Melbourne | Etihad Stadium | Home | 4.40pm |
| 22 | Saturday, August 24 | Carlton | MCG | Away | 7.40pm |
| 23 | TBC | Richmond | MCG | Home | TBC |
