AFL announces key fixture details for 2011

[Scorlibo]

Not necessarily, how would North go playing a game, then sitting a game out, only to go back full tilt into a another game after cooling down?

Every club will work out ways to keep their players on the ball, and warm. There is an undoubted, distinct advantage for one team, and another which will be at a disadvantage.

[The Coon Dog]

Jay Clarke - Herald Sun 24 October

Saints and Cats to clash in Round 1

GEELONG and St Kilda are set to re-ignite their fierce rivalry in a Round 1 night-time blockbuster next season.

The AFL is expected to announce the two premiership heavyweights will meet on either Friday or Saturday night of the opening round when the 2011 fixture is released on Friday.

Though late changes can still be made, it is understood league chiefs want a marquee-match-up to help launch the new season.

The two clubs, whose rivalry dates back to 2003 when they emerged as young sides on the rise, have a history of classic battles.

Article in full...

Also suggest for R1:

Adel v Haw
WCE v NM
GC - Bye

[Flamethrower]

Extrapolating from a number of articles, round 1 could look like this....

Geelong v St Kilda
Adelaide v Hawthorn
West Coast v North Melbourne
Carlton v Richmond
Essendon v Victorian team (Bulldogs or Melbourne)
TBA v Fremantle*
TBA v Port Adelaide*
Gold Coast - bye

* It is unlikely that Perth or Adelaide would host 2 games, as the AFL tries to avoid this.

That leaves Collingwood, Brisbane Lions and Sydney Swans

[Rocco Jones]

Extrapolating from a number of articles, round 1 could look like this....

Geelong v St Kilda
Adelaide v Hawthorn
West Coast v North Melbourne
Carlton v Richmond
Essendon v Victorian team (Bulldogs or Melbourne)
TBA v Fremantle*
TBA v Port Adelaide*
Gold Coast - bye

* It is unlikely that Perth or Adelaide would host 2 games, as the AFL tries to avoid this.

That leaves Collingwood, Brisbane Lions and Sydney Swans

Yep. With GC having the bye, I think you can lock in Brisbane for a home game first up as well. I have a feeling Collingwood will get the chance to unfurl their flag first up against Freo at home.

[The Coon Dog]

Here is the draw for the 2011 NAB Cup:

ROUND ONE POOLS AND THEIR LOCATIONS

- Adelaide, Port Adelaide and Melbourne at AAMI Stadium, February 11 (Friday night)

- Collingwood, Carlton and Richmond at Etihad Stadium, February 12 (Saturday night)

- West Coast, Fremantle and Hawthorn at Patersons Stadium (Subiaco Oval), February 13 (Sunday afternoon)

- Essendon, the Brisbane Lions and St Kilda at Etihad Stadium, February 18 (Friday night)

- Greater Western Sydney, Sydney Swans and Gold Coast at Blacktown Olympic Park, February 19 (Saturday night)

- Geelong, North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs at Skilled Stadium, February 20 (Sunday afternoon)

[Sockeye Salmon]

Does anyone else think that GC and GWS are in the same group so that GC can smash them and go through to the second round as the best 2nd place team?

[Murphy'sLore]

You're such a cynic, Sockeye!

[mighty_west]

Does anyone else think that GC and GWS are in the same group so that GC can smash them and go through to the second round as the best 2nd place team?

They probably had no choice, place them against the newbies who also have alot of kids and the Swans who just could not give a stuff about the NAB, never have...

Could you imagine some of the cricket scores had GWS been up against some of the stronger AFL sides, be like watching some of those old VFA games.

[chef]

Etihad should sell out in record time for the the Collingwood, Richmond and Carlton group.

[The Coon Dog]

Mark Stevens has just tweeted:

Fixture whisper: Ess gets wish of home game in round 1. Looks like being v Bulldogs.

[Rocco Jones]

Does anyone else think that GC and GWS are in the same group so that GC can smash them and go through to the second round as the best 2nd place team?

Yes.

[chef]

Mark Stevens has just tweeted:

Fixture whisper: Ess gets wish of home game in round 1. Looks like being v Bulldogs.

Good news

[LostDoggy]

I wonder which club president will have a sook first about the byes scheduled for them?

[LostDoggy]

Have to stop moaning about the draw until we stop selling home games.
Collingwood had 4 interstate trips as we did,not forgetting we sold two home games,let's
Not worry and complain when it's our own doing!

We sell home games cos we don't get collingwood's draw.

[LostDoggy]

Had little interest in the pre season competition in past years. Now its a lightning premiership first round, it even less interest.