A HISTORIC Good Friday in 2019 will feature a double-header of AFL games for the first time, with matches to be played on opposite sides of the country.

North Melbourne will host Essendon at Marvel Stadium on Friday, April 19 at 4.20pm AEST. Then at 6.10pm AWST (8.10pm AEST), premiers West Coast will face Port Adelaide at Optus Stadium.

EASTER THURSDAY Lions back in blockbuster territory

North has played in every Good Friday game so far, losing narrowly to the Western Bulldogs in 2017 before comfortably beating St Kilda this year.

The Eagles and Power have been involved in some thrilling – and occasionally spiteful – clashes in recent years.

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West Coast won by four points in August this year, and posted a nail-biting two-point extra-time victory in an elimination final in 2017.

Both of those matches needed goals after the siren – by Jeremy McGovern and Luke Shuey, respectively – to give the Eagles the edge. 

Port defender Tom Jonas copped a six-game ban for his strike on West Coast wingman Andrew Gaff in 2016. 

GIANT BLOCKBUSTER Prime time clash in Canberra

"I've got to say it's a real surprise because I got the notification last night about 7pm," Port CEO Keith Thomas told Macquarie Sports Radio on Wednesday morning.

"There hadn’t been any discussion about it in the lead up, so in the end we're really pleased with it.

"It's a really great opportunity for our club to play in a standalone game on a real high-profile day."

The Bombers will front up for their Anzac Day clash with Collingwood six days later on Thursday, April 25 at the MCG.

Meanwhile, North Melbourne has revealed it will take on Sydney in Hobart in round nine.

It will be just the third time the Swans have played the Roos in Tasmania and the visitors were victorius in both previous meetings.