It's blockbuster central as usual for the League's highest-drawing club, with 14 matches at the MCG and seven Friday night games - the most of any club. The Pies leave Melbourne only once in the opening nine rounds. But Nathan Buckley's team will have to play 2012 grand finalists the Sydney Swans and Hawthorn twice, and finish the season with a tricky four-game stretch against the Swans, Hawks, West Coast and North Melbourne.
CLUB REACTION
"I think we have a fantastic start with a run of MCG games against our traditional rivals. Whilst we have six six-day breaks in the schedule, generally they are spread out and offset to a degree by four eight-day breaks and a 10-day lead in to the Queen's Birthday clash with Melbourne. [And] having only one trip interstate in the last six weeks also offers us a good run into the finals. In all we feel we have received a well-balanced draw." - Collingwood CEO Gary Pert.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Season opener to be played as an away match against 2012 finalist North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Easter Sunday.
- Will again feature in the traditional public holiday matches at the MCG, against Essendon on Anzac Day in round five and Melbourne on the Queen's Birthday holiday in round 11.
- Scheduled to meet traditional rivals Carlton and Essendon on two occasions each, in addition to return encounters against three of the 2012 finalists - the Sydney Swans, Hawthorn and North Melbourne.
- Two home matches to be played at Etihad Stadium, against St Kilda on Friday night in round six and a Sunday twilight clash with the Western Bulldogs in round 12.
- Will play under lights on 10 occasions, including seven appearances on the Friday night stage.
- 14 matches to be played at the MCG, including six of the first 10 and five of the last six.
To download a pdf version of the 2013 fixture, click here.
| RD | DATE | OPPONENT | VENUE | H/A | LOCAL TIME |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunday, March 31 | North Melbourne | Etihad Stadium | Away | 4.40pm |
| 2 | Sunday, April 7 | Carlton | MCG | Home | 3.15pm |
| 3 | Sunday, April 14 | Hawthorn | MCG | Home | 3.15pm |
| 4 | Saturday, April 20 | Richmond | MCG | Away | 2.10pm |
| 5 | Thursday, April 25 | Essendon | MCG | Away | 2.40pm |
| 6 | Friday, May 3 | St Kilda | Etihad Stadium | Home | 7.50pm |
| 7 | Saturday, May 11 | Fremantle | Patersons Stadium | Away | 5.40pm |
| 8 | Saturday, May 18 | Geelong Cats | MCG | Home | 7.40pm |
| 9 | Friday, May 24 | Sydney Swans | MCG | Home | 7.50pm |
| 10 | Friday, May 31 | Brisbane Lions | Gabba | Away | 7.50pm |
| 11 | Monday, June 10 | Melbourne | MCG | Away | 3.15pm |
| 12 | Sunday, June 16 | Western Bulldogs | Etihad Stadium | Home | 4.40pm |
| 13 | Bye | ||||
| 14 | Saturday, June 29 | Port Adelaide | AAMI Stadium | Away | 4.10pm |
| 15 | Friday, July 5 | Carlton | MCG | Away | 7.50pm |
| 16 | Friday, July 12 | Adelaide Crows | MCG | Home | 7.50pm |
| 17 | Saturday, July 20 | Gold Coast SUNS | Metricon Stadium | Away | 4.40pm |
| 18 | Saturday, July 27 | GWS GIANTS | MCG | Home | 4.40pm |
| 19 | Sunday, August 4 | Essendon | MCG | Home | 4.40pm |
| 20 | Saturday, August 10 | Sydney Swans | ANZ Stadium | Away | 7.40pm |
| 21 | Friday, August 16 | Hawthorn | MCG | Away | 7.50pm |
| 22 | Friday, August 23 | West Coast Eagles | MCG | Home | 7.50pm |
| 23 | TBC | North Melbourne | MCG | Home | TBC |
