MELBOURNE chief executive Cameron Schwab has spoken of the key aspects following the release of the 2011 AFL fixture on Friday.

Schwab spoke to melbournefc.com.au about the club's fixture.

“There are many positive aspects in the 2011 fixture for the Melbourne Football Club. We are particularly pleased with 13 games at the MCG overall and three at the beginning of the season," Schwab said.

“Another very pleasing aspect of the fixture is the increase in Free to Air coverage.  We have 14 FTA games in 2011, an increase of 55% on last year. We are also pleased with three Friday night matches including a home game against Carlton in Round 10 when we plan to continue our work celebrating Women in the game.

“The fixturing of our second Darwin game in 2011 gives us an excellent opportunity to build on the community programs we commenced in the Northern Territory last year including projects in Yuendumu and Tiwi.

“Interstate travel is also down on 2010 with only one trip to Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide and no game in Sydney. This combined with well spaced byes in Rounds 5 and 16, represents a positive outcome from a football perspective.  However, this lack of travel does mean we will play more interstate Clubs in Melbourne which can impact on attendance and other commercial outcomes.

“There is also a great opportunity to build momentum during the middle section of the year, with a number of potential big games in good time slots against Victorian based clubs. From Rounds 8 to 15 Melbourne play games against, St Kilda, North Melbourne, Carlton, Essendon, Richmond, Western Bulldogs and Collingwood, including five straight games at the MCG between Rounds 10 and 15.

“Overall the fixture provides a good outcome for our Club in 2011 and whilst it is our clear preference not to play a home game at Etihad we understand the complexities of a17 team fixture."