The big games return to the Gabba in 2012, with the Brisbane Lions set to host all of Collingwood, Geelong, Carlton and QClash 3 against local rivals Gold Coast SUNS, following the release today of the 2012 AFL Season Fixture.
 
An Easter Thursday showdown against Carlton at the Gabba - just five days after a mouth-watering season opener against former spearhead Mitch Clark’s Melbourne Demons, will kick-start the Lions’ home matches in Round 2, after the AFL released the Fixture in Melbourne.
 
The Lions will also play host to the first QClash of the year against the Gold Coast SUNS in Round 4, while premiers Geelong, grand finalists Collingwood - with new coach Nathan Buckley in charge - and new boys GWS Giants will all venture to the Gabba in 2012.
 
West Coast, Melbourne, St Kilda, Richmond, Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs will also travel to Brisbane next year.
 
Click here to view the full Lions’ 2012 AFL Season Fixture.
 
Highlights for Lions members and supporters include:
  •  Hosting emerging powerhouse Carlton in the traditional Easter Thursday blockbuster at the Gabba;
  • Q Clash 3 against the Gold Coast SUNS to be hosted by the Lions in Round 4 (with the return clash in Round 17);
  • Grand finalists Geelong (Round 5) and Collingwood (Round 7) both featuring at the Gabba in 2012, as well as top four team West Coast (Round 13);
  • Luke Power and Israel Folau making their Brisbane returns when the Lions face new boys GWS Giants at the Gabba in Round 8;
  • A block of Sunday games - allowing AFL supporters in Brisbane a greater family experience, falling in the middle of the season and including games against GWS Giants, West Coast and Melbourne.
  • Six Lions matches in Melbourne - two at the MCG and four at Etihad Stadium;
  • Two trips to Perth in Round 3 (Fremantle) and Round 18 (West Coast);
 
Brisbane Lions CEO, Malcolm Holmes, said today: “There will be plenty of action for the fans at the Gabba, with three of the top four teams from 2011 in Collingwood, Carlton and Geelong, all visiting in 2012.
 
“We’ll also have the opportunity to keep the QClash Cup at the Gabba twice as we take on the SUNS in Rounds 4 and 17. In Melbourne, we’ve achieved an excellent outcome for our Victorian supporter base, with six games to be played there, including our season-opener against Melbourne and clashes against Essendon, Hawthorn and Carlton.
 
“We feel that this fixture provides a good balance for the Club’s football and commercial objectives - teams such as Collingwood, Geelong and St Kilda traditionally draw big crowds here at the Gabba, so to host these teams is a great outcome for both the Club and our members.
 
“With a rapidly developing young list the future is certainly an exciting one for this Club.”