PROS: A great line-up of matches at the Gabba, starting with Collingwood and also including big-drawing Carlton and Richmond, and well-performed North Melbourne, Port Adelaide and the Sydney Swans.
CONS: Fans in Brisbane will have to wait at least another year to see back-to-back premier Hawthorn at the Gabba. The Hawks haven't played in the Queensland capital since 2008.
PLAY TWICE: Western Bulldogs, Adelaide, North Melbourne, Gold Coast, Carlton.
FIRST FOUR WEEKS: Collingwood (h), North Melbourne (a), Richmond (h), West Coast (h).
LAST FOUR WEEKS: Carlton (h), Adelaide (a), Hawthorn (a), Western Bulldogs (h).
SIX-DAY BREAKS: Three.
THEY SAY: “From a footy perspective, it’s pretty fair. If we play the way we want to play, then the fixture provides the opportunity to win our fair share of games." - CEO Greg Swann
WE SAY: The Lions have little to complain about. They start with Dayne Beams facing his old team Collingwood in a ound one Gabba blockbuster, and play three of the first four games at home. When you've finish 15th the previous season, most matches are difficult, but a more friendly opening six weeks gives Justin Leppitsch's men a fighting chance to start well. The teams they face twice - the Kangaroos, Suns, Crows, Blues and Bulldogs – should all be right in the Lions' sights. - Michael Whiting