Hawthorn will again have to negotiate a difficult fixture if it's to achieve success. The Hawks face all seven fellow 2012 finalists in the first seven rounds, with a six-day break before a trip to Perth to play West Coast in round two. They play Geelong, the Eagles, the Sydney Swans, Collingwood and North Melbourne twice - all finalists this year. The Hawks also have only six home games at the MCG, with their seventh Melbourne home game against West Coast at Etihad Stadium. They have five highly valued Friday night games, all in the second half of the season, and some big-drawing home matches.
CLUB REACTION
"While the 2013 draw presents some significant challenges, we're confident our club is well-placed to manage these. As a tenant club we're disappointed the AFL has not fulfilled our request to play seven home games at the MCG, however we're prepared to work with it and ensure our members' service requirements are met. Our club is united in recognising the positives of the 2013 fixture and accepting the challenges it presents, and we look forward to the opportunities and prospects 2013 brings both on and off the field," Hawthorn CEO Stuart Fox said.
CLUB HIGHLIGHTS
- Will host Geelong in round one for the Easter Monday holiday match at the MCG.
- Rematches of the 2012 Toyota AFL Grand Final against the Sydney Swans scheduled for round seven at the MCG and round 23 at ANZ Stadium.
- Will once again host four home matches at Aurora Stadium, against Fremantle (round four), GWS (round eight), Brisbane Lions (round 14) and Western Bulldogs (round 17).
- Six home matches to be played at the MCG, including blockbusters against fellow Victorian clubs Geelong, Richmond and Collingwood.
- Five Friday night appearances scheduled for the second half of the season, against Carlton, West Coast, Essendon, St Kilda and Collingwood.
- Must face five of the 2012 finalists twice - Sydney Swans, Collingwood, West Coast, Geelong and North Melbourne.
To download a pdf version of the 2013 fixture, click here.
| RD | DATE | OPPONENT | VENUE | H/A | LOCAL TIME |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monday, April 1 | Geelong Cats | MCG | Home | 3.15pm |
| 2 | Sunday, April 7 | West Coast Eagles | Patersons Stadium | Away | 2.40pm |
| 3 | Sunday, April 14 | Collingwood | MCG | Away | 3.15pm |
| 4 | Saturday, April 20 | Fremantle | Aurora Stadium | Home | 1.45pm |
| 5 | Sunday, April 28 | North Melbourne | MCG | Home | 4.40pm |
| 6 | Saturday, May 4 | Adelaide Crows | AAMI Stadium | Away | 4.10pm |
| 7 | Saturday, May 11 | Sydney Swans | MCG | Home | 7.40pm |
| 8 | Saturday, May 18 | GWS GIANTS | Aurora Stadium | Home | 2.10pm |
| 9 | Sunday, May 26 | Gold Coast SUNS | MCG | Home | 1.10pm |
| 10 | Sunday, June 2 | Melbourne | MCG | Away | 3.15pm |
| 11 | Bye | ||||
| 12 | Friday, June 14 | Carlton | Etihad Stadium | Away | 7.50pm |
| 13 | Friday, June 21 | West Coast Eagles | Etihad Stadium | Home | 7.50pm |
| 14 | Sunday, June 30 | Brisbane Lions | Aurora Stadium | Home | 1.10pm |
| 15 | Saturday, July 6 | Geelong Cats | MCG | Away | 7.40pm |
| 16 | Saturday, July 13 | Port Adelaide | AAMI Stadium | Away | 1.15pm |
| 17 | Saturday, July 20 | Western Bulldogs | Aurora Stadium | Home | 1.45pm |
| 18 | Friday, July 26 | Essendon | Etihad Stadium | Away | 7.50pm |
| 19 | Saturday, August 3 | Richmond | MCG | Home | 2.10pm |
| 20 | Friday, August 9 | St Kilda | Etihad Stadium | Away | 7.50pm |
| 21 | Friday, August 16 | Collingwood | MCG | Home | 7.50pm |
| 22 | Saturday, August 24 | North Melbourne | Etihad Stadium | Away | 2.10pm |
| 23 | TBC | Sydney Swans | ANZ Stadium | Away | TBC |
