1. Round 1: Greater Western Sydney v Sydney Swans, March 24 at ANZ Stadium
We'll watch because it's meaningful footy and because we'll get our first proper look at Kevin Sheedy and the Giants. It's a gutsy move by the AFL to move the start of the season forward by a week to take on the NRL's opening week, and in its own back yard.
2. Round 1: Hawthorn v Collingwood, March 30 at the MCG
Hawthorn could (and probably should) have beaten Collingwood in the preliminary final and will spend the summer stewing over the one that got away. The Hawks' chance to atone comes straight away in a season-opener that should attract 75,000 to the MCG. They couldn't beat either Geelong or Collingwood in 2011 and must rectify this in 2012.
3. Round 2: North Melbourne v Greater Western Sydney, April 8, Blundstone Arena
You might still know it as the picturesque Bellerive Oval but the home of Tasmanian cricket has now gone corporate as well and in round two it will become the 38th venue in League history to host a match for premiership points as part of North's deal to play two matches a year in Hobart. It would be fitting if North's most famous Tasmanian supporter, former Australian Test captain Ricky Ponting, was on hand to toss the coin before the opening bounce.
4. Round 4: St Kilda v Fremantle, April 20 at Etihad Stadium
The architect of 'Saints Footy' and the Saints 'bubble' will now be trying to bring it all down. Ross Lyon stunned St Kilda by walking out on the club to take over at Fremantle and the battle of wits between he and Scott Watters (himself a Fremantle boy) will be fascinating. What sort of reception will Saints fans offer the man who nearly led them to two flags?
5. Round 5: Collingwood v Essendon, April 25 at the MCG
A great day and arguably the best day at the footy other than the preliminary finals and the Grand Final. Form doesn't always come into play on Anzac Day, but what will be a factor this time around is match conditioning. Anzac Day is a Wednesday in 2012 and both the Pies and the Bombers will have just four days to prepare. There will be plenty of tired gladiators come the final quarter.
6. Round 8: Collingwood v Geelong, May 18, at the MCG
Grand Final re-match. What more needs to be said?
7. Round 9: Greater Western Sydney v Essendon, May 26 at Skoda Stadium
The Giants will be the wandering gypsies of the AFL for the first half of the season. But they finally land at their proper home in round nine when they host Essendon at Skoda Stadium, formerly the Sydney Showgrounds. It will be Giants coach Kevin Sheedy against the club he led for 27 years and coached to four premierships and a master-pupil coaching battle with his long-time captain James Hird. The Giants might not be all that competitive, but opening round aside, this might be their biggest game for the year.
8. Round 12: West Coast v Carlton, June 14 at Patersons Stadium
The semi-final between these two clubs in 2011 was one of the best matches of 2011. The expectation is strong that these two clubs will again be in premiership contention in 2012, so this Thursday night game - one of three for the year - should be a cracker.
9. Round 14: St Kilda v North Melbourne, July 1, Etihad Stadium
These two sides just plain don't like each other. Not sure why. Not sure of the background. But the Kangas always build themselves to play the Saints, and are then put back in their box once more. Fair to say that if North can finally get over St Kilda this time, they might be on their way back to the finals.
10. Round 23: Geelong v Sydney, Date TBC at Simonds Stadium
Geelong's average winning margin on their own track in 2011 before the Swans ventured down the highway was 99 points and the Cats hadn't lost at home in 30 games. But in round 23, the Swans won by 13 points to snap the streak and they will head down there again for the final round of the 2012 with no fear of the venue whatsoever.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
