In a word - opportunity. The young Lions won nine games in 2012, should improve again next season, and have been handed a fixture that sees them play none of this year's top four twice, with return clashes against Geelong, North Melbourne, the Western Bulldogs, Melbourne and Gold Coast. The showpiece match from a commercial standpoint will be the home Friday night clash against Collingwood in round 10. However, that is the Lions' only appearance in the coveted Friday night slot for the year.
CLUB REACTION
From a football perspective, we feel that it's both a good and fair fixture for us. Commercially, we are very happy with the decision to schedule a Friday night game against Collingwood at the Gabba - it will be only the third Friday match in the past decade. The one disappointment is that we will only play five games in Victoria, not six in Melbourne, as we had lobbied for. We will continue to lobby the AFL for six games in Melbourne in future years." - Brisbane Lions CEO Malcolm Holmes.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Early-round home matches at the Gabba scheduled as twilight and night fixtures to avoid seasonal Queensland heat.
- QClash encounters against local rivals Gold Coast scheduled for rounds three and 15.
- Will host a Friday night match at the Gabba in round 10, against strong-drawing Victorian club Collingwood.
- Five matches to be played in Victoria for local Lions supporters, with three at Etihad Stadium, one at the MCG and one at Simonds Stadium.
- Scheduled to meet only two of the 2012 finalists twice - Geelong and North Melbourne.
- Will play Geelong at Simonds Stadium in round 23, after playing at home for the final round last season.
To download a pdf version of the 2013 fixture, click here.
| RD | DATE | OPPONENT | VENUE | H/A | LOCAL TIME |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saturday, March 30 | Western Bulldogs | Etihad Stadium | Away | 1.40pm |
| 2 | Saturday, April 6 | Adelaide Crows | Gabba | Home | 3.40pm |
| 3 | Saturday, April 13 | Gold Coast SUNS | Metricon Stadium | Away | 7.40pm |
| 4 | Sunday, April 21 | North Melbourne | Etihad Stadium | Away | 4.40pm |
| 5 | Sunday, April 28 | Melbourne | Gabba | Home | 3.15pm |
| 6 | Sunday, May 5 | Sydney Swans | SCG | Away | 1.10pm |
| 7 | Saturday, May 11 | West Coast Eagles | Gabba | Home | 2.10pm |
| 8 | Saturday, May 18 | Essendon | Etihad Stadium | Away | 1.45pm |
| 9 | Saturday, May 25 | Carlton | Gabba | Home | 7.40pm |
| 10 | Friday, May 31 | Collingwood | Gabba | Home | 7.50pm |
| 11 | Bye | ||||
| 12 | Saturday, June 15 | Fremantle | Patersons Stadium | Away | 2.40pm |
| 13 | Sunday, June 23 | Geelong Cats | Gabba | Home | 4.40pm |
| 14 | Sunday, June 30 | Hawthorn | Aurora Stadium | Away | 1.10pm |
| 15 | Saturday, July 6 | Gold Coast SUNS | Gabba | Home | 4.40pm |
| 16 | Saturday, July 13 | North Melbourne | Gabba | Home | 7.40pm |
| 17 | Saturday, July 20 | Melbourne | TIO Stadium | Away | 7.10pm |
| 18 | Sunday, July 28 | Port Adelaide | AAMI Stadium | Away | 12.40pm |
| 19 | Saturday, August 3 | St Kilda | Gabba | Home | 7.40pm |
| 20 | Saturday, August 10 | Richmond | MCG | Away | 1.45pm |
| 21 | Saturday, August 17 | GWS GIANTS | Gabba | Home | 7.40pm |
| 22 | Sunday, August 25 | Western Bulldogs | Gabba | Home | 4.40pm |
| 23 | TBC | Geelong Cats | Simonds Stadium | Away | TBC |
