VERDICT
Tricky start, tasty run home. Geelong faces three straight six-day breaks between the first four rounds, with all matches against good opposition. And the Cats don't have a match at Simonds Stadium until round 10, due to the ground's redevelopment. But the pay-off is that the Cats get to play seven of their last 13 games at their hometown fortress, including the last two. For the first time, three matches at the ground will be played under lights. Return matches are against the Sydney Swans, Hawthorn, North Melbourne, the Brisbane Lions and Port Adelaide. There are six interstate trips.

CLUB REACTION
"This is a great fixture for our club and our supporters. To have four games [at Simond Stadium] under lights is a great initiative in this exciting time for the club. With the Players Stand opening, we will increase capacity to 33,000 and that will allow an opportunity for visiting supporters to better access the stadium." Geelong acting CEO Rob Threlfal.

HIGHLIGHTS
  • To kick off the season with an Easter Monday holiday clash against 2012 runner-up Hawthorn at the MCG.
  • Will play seven home matches at Simonds Stadium, with the first scheduled post-redevelopment in round 10 against Gold Coast. It will be the first night match at the venue.
  • One home match to be played at the MCG, a return encounter with Hawthorn in round 15.
  • No consecutive travel at any stage of the home and away season, with the exception of rounds 11 and 13, having enjoyed the bye in round 12.
  • Scheduled to play three of the 2012 finalists twice - the Sydney Swans, Hawthorn and North Melbourne.
  • Will play 12 night matches, including three on Friday night against the Sydney Swans (round four), Essendon (round seven) and North Melbourne (round 19).

To download a pdf version of the 2013 fixture, click here.

RDDATEOPPONENTVENUEH/A LOCAL TIME
1Monday, April 1 HawthornMCGAway3.15pm
2Sunday, April 7 North MelbourneEtihad StadiumHome1.10pm
3Saturday, April 13 CarltonEtihad StadiumHome7.40pm
4Friday, April 19 Sydney SwansSCGAway7.50pm
5Saturday, April 27 Western BulldogsEtihad StadiumAway7.40pm
6Saturday, May 4 RichmondMCGAway7.40pm
7Friday, May 10 EssendonEtihad StadiumHome7.50pm
8Saturday, May 18 CollingwoodMCGAway7.40pm
9Saturday, May 25 Port AdelaideAAMI StadiumAway1.15pm
10Saturday, June 1 Gold Coast SUNSSimonds StadiumHome7.40pm
11Saturday, June 8 GWS GIANTSSkoda StadiumAway1.40pm
12Bye    
13Sunday, June 23Brisbane LionsGabbaAway4.40pm
14Saturday, June 29 FremantleSimonds StadiumHome7.40pm
15Saturday, July 6 HawthornMCGHome7.40pm
16Saturday, July 13 MelbourneSimonds StadiumHome2.10pm
17Sunday, July 21 Adelaide CrowsAAMI StadiumAway2.45pm
18Saturday, July 27 St KildaSimonds StadiumHome7.40pm
19Friday, August 2 North MelbourneEtihad StadiumAway7.50pm
20Saturday, August 10 Port AdelaideSimonds StadiumHome2.10pm
21Saturday, August 17 West Coast EaglesPatersons StadiumAway5.40pm
22Saturday, August 24 Sydney SwansSimonds StadiumHome4.40pm
23TBCBrisbane LionsSimonds StadiumHomeTBC