Round one

Richmond v Carlton, MCG, Thursday night
The Blues have traditionally failed to show up for the opening game of the season, and haven't won since 2012, but with a strong off-season of recruiting, you can bet the Carlton faithful will be out in force to help its team topple the premiers. The Tigers relish the big stage and handle it better than any team in the League, so they'll be undaunted by the hype.

The Tigers and Blues will open the season again in a blockbuster Thursday night clash.

FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game

Round two

Sydney v Essendon, SCG, Friday night
Will be interesting to see what kind of reception big Joe Daniher gets when the Bombers hit the SCG in round two after the bungled trade debacle. Hopefully Lance Franklin and Daniher are fit and firing and the gun forwards can put on a show at either end of the ground.

Port Adelaide v Adelaide, Adelaide Oval, Saturday night
The first Showdown of the year will see Port Adelaide celebrate its 150th anniversary on a Saturday night in round two. The Power plan to wear their traditional 'prison bar' guernseys as part of the celebrations for the special occasion.

Round three

Carlton v Essendon, MCG, Thursday night
The two traditional rivals meet on a Thursday night in round three in what will be their first primetime bout since 2013. It's one of just two primetime games the Blues will play all season, while it will be the first time they've met under lights in six years.

Greater Western Sydney v Western Bulldogs, UNSW Canberra Oval, Friday night
This Giants and Dogs is rapidly becoming one of the best rivalries in the game, and when Toby Greene and Marcus Bontempelli became entangled in September's elimination final, things went to another level. Greene was cleared by the Tribunal of misconduct, but there's no love lost between these two clubs and they've been given a primetime slot to renew hostilities. 

ENTERTAINMENT SELLS Lions, Dogs, big Vic clubs dominate primetime

Round four

North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs, Marvel Stadium, Good Friday
The Dogs got their two trade targets in Alex Keath and Josh Bruce so by the Good Friday clash with the Roos, we should know how much they've impacted the team. This year's Good Friday clash with Essendon drew over 48,000 fans to Marvel Stadium and if both teams start the season well, that mark could be broken.

Round five

Geelong v St Kilda, GMHBA Stadium, Sunday twilight
Barring injury, two of the game's modern greats should hit major milestones here. Dual Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett will play his 350th game – just the 17th player to do so – while his skipper Joel Selwood will notch game number 300. What a day of celebration. Also, former Saint Jack Steven will face his old side for the first time.

Cats heroes Gary Ablett and Joel Selwood are set for magnificent milestones in round five.

Round six

Melbourne v Richmond, MCG, Friday night
This fixture doesn't carry the significance and history of the traditional event on Anzac Day, but the Tigers and the Demons clash is one hell of a spectacle. Both clubs have done a tremendous job with the pre-game, but it has been one-way traffic in recent years with the Tigers winning the past three after the Dees won the first two.

Collingwood v Essendon, MCG, Saturday twilight
Still the best day on the footy calendar bar Grand Final day, and we can only hope that the Pies and the Bombers can replicate this season's belter at the MCG. Collingwood has won five of the last six and their biggest names have always stood up. Can the Bombers' stars make a stand?

Anzac Day always provides plenty of action between the Pies and Bombers.

WE RANK YOUR FIXTURE Pros, cons, circle it, who got a raw deal?

Round seven

Richmond v GWS Giants, MCG, Saturday afternoon
Sure, they're going to face off in Wagga Wagga during the Marsh Community Series, but this is the first true chance for the Giants to show they've picked themselves up off the canvas after this year's Grand Final shellacking. Richmond will also be motivated to record a third straight win over the Giants and show there won't be any premiership hangover.

Round 10

Adelaide v Carlton, Adelaide Oval, Saturday twilight
Livewire small forward Eddie Betts became a cult hero in his six seasons with the Crows, booting 310 goals in 132 games and having a pocket at Adelaide Oval named in his honour. As the most breathtaking Crows player since Tony Modra, there's going to be plenty of emotion when Betts returns to face his former club for the first time.

St Kilda v Fremantle, Marvel Stadium, Saturday afternoon
The Dockers desperately wanted classy wingman Bradley Hill to stay, but he was intent on going back to Victoria after three impressive seasons in the west. They'll be no shortage of pressure to perform having joined the up-and-coming Saints on a lucrative deal. 

Bradley Hill will wear new colours against old mates.

SIMPSONS, SEINFELD, MEMES Which club's fixture reveal is best?

Round 11

St Kilda v Port Adelaide at Jiangwan Stadium, Sunday afternoon
The two sides jet off to Shanghai again, though there is a little extra spice to this one. They spent much of the Telstra AFL Trade Period locked in discussions for moves that saw Dougal Howard and Paddy Ryder head to the Saints.

The Saints and Power will face off again in China.

Round 14

Richmond v West Coast at the MCG, Sunday afternoon
It was just about the game of the season when they met last year and it will get it top billing in round 14. Set to be played during the bye rounds, these two will meet at the MCG in a standalone clash on a Sunday afternoon.

Round 15

Brisbane v Hawthorn at the Gabba, Thursday night
The Gabba becomes the home of primetime footy again in 2020, with Brisbane set to host Hawthorn on a Thursday night. The Lions – who have ex-Hawks Grant Birchall, Chris Fagan and Luke Hodge on their side – have four primetime fixtures next year.

Premiership teammates Luke Hodge and Grant Birchall will now be plotting Hawthorn's downfall.

Melbourne v Gold Coast, MCG, Saturday afternoon
One of the Melbourne's favourite sons, Nathan Jones, will run out for his 300th match if he plays every week until then. The 32-year-old would become the second Demon, after David Neitz, to achieve the feat.

Round 16

Essendon v Hawthorn, MCG, Thursday night
Pencil this in for one reason alone – the rematch of Ben Stratton and Orazio Fantasia. The last time these bitter rivals (clubs moreso than players) lined up, Stratton was suspended for two matches after incessantly pinching the Bombers' small forward. On that occasion Essendon got the last laugh with a 19-point victory. 

Round 20

Melbourne v Sydney, MCG, Sunday afternoon
There's a bit of crystal-balling here, but if Lance Franklin can get his body right, this could be his season to join the rarefied air of the 1000-goal club. 'Buddy' currently has 944, and providing he plays every game and continues his career average of 3.15 goals a game, the Swans superstar will become the sixth man to hit the magic milestone in this game.

This year could be big for Buddy!

Round 22

West Coast v Collingwood, Optus Stadium, Friday night
Broadcasters wanted a big Friday night fixture coming out of the Olympics and they've got it. West Coast will host Victorian giants Collingwood at Optus Stadium on a Friday night in what is sure to be a pivotal clash. The Pies won the corresponding clash by one point last year.