THE AFL has confirmed the full round one fixture for the 2013 premiership season, with North Melbourne set for a blockbuster first-up clash against Collingwood at Etihad Stadium on Easter Sunday.
The Kangaroos broke a horror run of results against the Magpies when they beat them by 30 points at Etihad Stadium two months ago.
That game drew a crowd of almost 45,000 and North's administrators will be hoping for similar results on and off the field next March.
It had already been revealed that the opening round of the 2013 season will take place over two weekends, with Adelaide and Essendon kicking things off at AAMI Stadium on Friday, March 22.
A Western Derby has been scheduled for the following evening then Carlton will host Richmond in a night match at the MCG on Thursday, March 28.
Easter Saturday will be a big day of footy. The Western Bulldogs and the Brisbane Lions have been fixtured to meet in an afternoon game at Etihad Stadium, with Gold Coast then hosting St Kilda at Metricon Stadium.
Greater Western Sydney and the reigning premiers, the Sydney Swans, will round out Easter Saturday by doing battle at ANZ Stadium.
Melbourne and Port Adelaide will meet at the MCG in the early game on Easter Sunday, and that will be followed by the clash between North Melbourne and Collingwood, which is a twilight game.
Round one concludes with an Easter Monday blockbuster in which Hawthorn will host Geelong.
ROUND 1, 2013
Friday, March 22
Adelaide v Essendon at AAMI Stadium
Saturday, March 23
Fremantle v West Coast at Patersons Stadium
Thursday, March 28
Carlton v Richmond at the MCG
Saturday, March 30
Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium
Gold Coast v St Kilda at Metricon Stadium
Greater Western Sydney v Sydney Swans at ANZ Stadium
Sunday, March 31
Melbourne v Port Adelaide at the MCG
North Melbourne v Collingwood at Etihad Stadium
Monday, April 1
Hawthorn v Geelong at the MCG
Follow Adam McNicol on Twitter: @AFL_AdamMcNicol
