NORTH Melbourne will host a big-name Victorian club in Hobart for the first time next season, with the Roos set to play Richmond at Blundstone Arena in round six.

 

North enters its fourth year in the Tasmanian capital in 2015, when it will increase its annual commitment from two home games to three.

 

The Richmond clash will be the Roos' first at Blundstone Arena next year and will be played on Saturday, May 9, at 1.45pm.

 

North will then host West Coast in round 10 and St Kilda in round 20. 

 

The Roos play the Eagles on Sunday, June 7, at 3.20pm, and St Kilda on Saturday, August 15, at 2.10pm.

 

North CEO Carl Dilena said the AFL's preparedness to schedule Richmond in a Blundstone Arena game was a testament to how Hobart had embraced AFL games.

 

"The Hobart and Tasmanian public have been unbelievably welcoming and supportive over the past three seasons and the club can't wait for a similar reception when we return next year," Dilena said.

 

"Richmond is one of the biggest clubs in the league and for this game to be scheduled at Blundstone Arena highlights the impact North Melbourne and the AFL is having within the city of Hobart.

 

"The players can't wait to run out to a huge crowd of royal blue and white at each of our three games next year."

 

North's first three years at Blundstone proved hugely successful, with nearly all of their games sell-outs.

 

In 2012 the Roos hosted Greater Western Sydney and West Coast, in 2013 the Sydney Swans and Port Adelaide, and this year St Kilda and Adelaide.

 

Blundstone Arena's seating was restricted this year as the ground underwent a $30 million redevelopment that will increase its capacity to 20,000 from 2015.

 

The biggest crowd North has attracted at Blundstone Arena is 14,113, set against West Coast in round 15, 2012.