AFL: Round One fixture schedule explained

For the first time in the history of the AFL, the 2024 season will begin with an Opening Round, with Round One taking place the week after.

The Opening Round will begin on Thursday 7th March, with four fixtures taking place over three days.

Sydney Swans will entertain Melbourne on Thursday, before Brisbane Lions host Carlton on Friday 8th March.

Then on Saturday 9th March Gold Coast Suns will play Richmond and GWS Giants will entertaining reigning premiers Collingwood.

Those eight teams will then receive byes over the opening weeks of the 2024 AFL season.

It is business as usual the week after with Round One getting underway, so let’s take a look at what is in store.

Carlton v Richmond

This fixture between Carlton and Richmond always used to be the traditional curtain raiser to the season but for the second time in the last three seasons that is not the case.

However, the MCG clash will still get Round One underway on Thursday 14th March.

Carlton will be out to build on an impressive 2023 by going all the way in 2024. They are priced at 1.44 to start with a win, with the Tigers priced at 2.80.

Collingwood v Sydney Swans

Reigning premiers Collingwood will be back in Melbourne for the first time when they take on the Sydney Swans at the MCG on Friday 15th March.

Collingwood won this fixture by 29 points last season and can be backed at 1.50 to do it again, with the Swans available at 2.60.

There are then four games to look forward to on Saturday 16th March and the action will get underway at the MCG when Essendon take on Hawthorn.

The Bombers are 1.80 to begin with a win, while the Hawks can be backed at 2.02.

GWS Giants impressed in 2023 and are the hot fancies at 1.10 to beat a North Melbourne side that could be wooden-spoon candidates once again. The Kangaroos are 7.00 to cause an upset.

Geelong Cats face St Kilda in a blockbuster at GMHBA Stadium, with the Cats priced at 1.58, while the Saints are 2.40.

To wrap up the action on Saturday, Gold Coast Suns are 1.85 to beat Adelaide Crows, who are 1.97.

Three games complete round one on Sunday 17th March, with Melbourne taking on Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide entertaining West Coast Eagles, while Brisbane Lions must travel to Perth to take on Fremantle.

Melbourne and Port are 1.62 and 1.10 respectively to pick up wins, while the Lions are also the hot fancies to get the job done in the west.