WITH an extra home game at the MCG, three Friday night games, hosting rights to two blockbusters, plus a bevy of potential milestone games, there's plenty of highlights to Melbourne's 2020 Toyota AFL Premiership Fixture.
Following today's release, we've broken down the key stories and facts for each round of the 2020 schedule.
> SYNC THE 2020 AFL, AFLW AND MARSH SERIES FIXTURES TO YOUR CALENDAR
Round 1 – West Coast at Optus Stadium (A)
Sunday 22 March, 3.20pm AWST
Melbourne’s 2020 campaign kicks off with a trip west, taking on the Eagles on their home deck.
After two encounters in 2019, where West Coast were victorious on both occasions, the Demons will be eager to make a season-opening statement.
It will also be the first time in 22 years that Melbourne will open their season interstate – its last encounter was against Fremantle in 1998 at Subiaco Oval.
Round 2 – GWS GIANTS at the MCG (H)
Saturday 28 March, 1.45pm AEDT
Round 2 will mark Melbourne’s first home game of the season, as they host the GWS GIANTS at the MCG.
The Saturday afternoon clash could see new red and blue recruit Adam Tomlinson go up against his old side for the first time – an exciting prospect for Demons fans.
It will also be the first chance for members to catch the Dees play in Melbourne.
Nev Jetta could play his 150th game, needing just two matches to reach the milestone.
Round 3 – Fremantle at the MCG (H)
Sunday 5 April, 1.10pm AEST
The Demons will back up their MCG appearance with a battle against the Dockers on a Sunday afternoon.
Melbourne last played Fremantle in Round 14 of the 2019 season, coming out on top by 14 points. Max Gawn was dominant in the clash, finishing with 46 hit outs, 20 disposals and a goal, while Tom McDonald also kicked three goals.
New Demon Ed Langdon could also face his former side.
Round 4 – St Kilda at Marvel Stadium (A)
Sunday 12 April, 4.40pm AEST
Melbourne will play just one game at Marvel Stadium in 2020, taking on St Kilda on Easter Sunday.
After going down both times they met the Saints last season, the Demons will be keen to take home the chocolates this time around.
The two sides will also meet again in Round 17.
Round 5 – Gold Coast SUNS at Metricon Stadium (A)
Saturday 18 April, 1.10pm AEST
Melbourne’s second interstate trip of the season will take them north, for a Saturday afternoon encounter with the SUNS.
The last visit to Metricon Stadium was a heart-stopper for fans, after a late comeback saw the Demons come out one-point winners. The memorable win was set up by a Marty Hore major, before a behind from Tom McDonald got them over the line.
Gold Coast will visit the MCG for another match-up in Round 15.
Round 6 – Richmond at the MCG (H)
Friday 24 April, 7.55pm AEST
Melbourne will meet the reigning premiers in the traditional ANZAC Day Eve clash, with a big crowd expected at the MCG.
With an alternating arrangement in place, the match will be a home game for the Demons, starting slightly later than in previous years.
Both sides will come together to honour the fallen, and those currently serving in the Australian Defence Force.
Round 7 – Essendon at the MCG (A)
Sunday 3 May, 3.20pm AEST
After falling to Essendon by 18 points in Round 3, 2019, the Demons will be hungry to seal a victory against the Bombers in 2020.
It will be the only time the two sides meet in the home-and-away season, with both vying to showcase their best at the home of footy.
Round 8 – Port Adelaide at the MCG (H)
Sunday 10 May, 1.10pm AEST
In their third MCG game in as many weeks, the Demons will play Port Adelaide in a Sunday early afternoon timeslot.
The Mother’s Day match will see the two sides meet for the first time since Round 1 of 2019.
Round 9 – Adelaide at TIO Traeger Park (H)
Sunday 17 May, 2.50pm ACST
Melbourne will return to the nation’s heartland for a big match against Adelaide.
It will be the seventh consecutive season the Demons have played at TIO Traeger Park, and the second time they will host the Crows – the last time was in Round 10, 2018.
Inspiring the local kids and community, this game will be one not to be missed.
Round 10 – Western Bulldogs at MCG (H)
Sunday 24 May, 1.10pm AEST
Melbourne will host 2019 finalists, the Western Bulldogs in a family friendly Sunday match at the MCG.
In a fixturing quirk, this will be only the third time in history that Melbourne have met the Bulldogs in Round 10, with the last occurrence being in 1969. That match saw Charlie Spargo’s Great Uncle Ricky line up for Footscray.
Christian Salem could be in line for a milestone, sitting 10 games off 100 career matches.
Round 11 – Hawthorn at MCG (A)
Friday 29 May, 7.50pm AEST
Former Demon Sam Frost could come up against Melbourne for the first time in this Round 11 Friday prime time clash.
Melbourne and Hawthorn have not played off on the Friday night stage during the home and away season since 2012, while the last overall Friday game between the sides was the 2018 semi-final.
Round 12 – Collingwood at the MCG (H)
Monday, June 8, 3.20pm AEST
Neale Daniher and Fight MND’s Big Freeze continues to grow bigger by the year, with Melbourne set to host the sixth edition on Queen’s Birthday 2020.
Expect to see multiple Australian identities brave the ice slide, the annual Walk to the ‘G from Federation Square, plus an all-star match-up in the ruck between Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy.
This will be the 20th consecutive Queen’s Birthday clash between Melbourne and Collingwood since the game became an annual fixture in 2001.
Round 14 – Brisbane at The Gabba (A)
Friday, June 19, 7.50pm
For the first time since Round 22 1995, Melbourne have been fixtured to play a Friday night match at the Gabba.
In what was Jim Stynes’s 200th game, high-flying Demon Shaun Smith stole the big Irishmen’s spotlight with a mark still renowned as one of the best in the game’s history.
Round 15 – Gold Coast Suns at the MCG (H)
Saturday, June 27, 1.45pm
This Saturday afternoon clash against the Suns is set to be a big one in the 2020 calendar.
Currently sitting on 286 games, Nathan Jones could become just the second Melbourne player to break through the 300-game milestone.
Round 16 – Fremantle at Optus Stadium (A)
Sunday July 5, 3.20pm AWST
After three matches at Optus Stadium against the Eagles, Melbourne will play Fremantle for the first time at the new venue in this Sunday afternoon clash.
Not only will it be the inaugural match between the sides at Optus Stadium, it’s also the first time since 2015 that Fremantle have hosted Melbourne in Perth. That Round 22, 2015 match at Subiaco Oval featured two debutants on opposing sides – new Demon Ed Langdon who made his Dockers debut as well as defender Oscar McDonald. It was also Nathan Jones’s 200th AFL match.
Christian Petracca is in line to play his 100th match in this fixture.
Round 17 – St Kilda at the MCG (H)
Saturday July 11, 1.45pm AEST
Melbourne will face St Kilda for the second time in 2020 at the MCG in Round 17.
It’s the sixth season in a row that Melbourne and St Kilda will play off twice in a year.
Round 18 – Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval (A)
Sunday July 19, 4.10pm ACST
After missing out on a trip to South Australia last season, Melbourne will return to the Adelaide Oval to take on the Crows in Round 18
The red and blue hold a strong record at the venue against the Crows, having won three of their four matches since the ground opened 2014.
Including the Marsh Community Series fixture at Casey Fields, this will be the third total game against the Crows in 2020.
Round 19 – Geelong at GMHBA Stadium (A)
Saturday July 25, 4.25pm AEST
Clayton Oliver has been a ball magnet in his two visits to Kardinia Park, averaging an incredible 42 disposals.
Expect a big night from the tough midfielder, who could play his 100th career match at the Cattery.
Round 20 – Sydney at the MCG (H)
Sunday August 2, 3.20pm AEST
For the third season in a row, Melbourne will host Sydney in August at the MCG.
The Demons and Swans split their two games last season, with Melbourne winning in Round 4 at the SCG and Sydney taking the points in Round 21 at the MCG.
Steven May is in line to play his 150th career match, while Sam Weideman could play his 50th.
Round 21 – Collingwood at the MCG (A)
Saturday August 8, 1.45pm AEST
Mirroring the 2019 fixture, Melbourne have been fixtured to play Collingwood in Round 21 in the exact same time slot on early Saturday afternoon.
Sitting on 80 games, Angus Brayshaw is a chance to play his 100th career game against the Magpies.
Round 22 – Carlton at the MCG (H)
Saturday August 15, 1.45pm AEST
After their exciting finish to 2019 under David Teague, Carlton are expected to be one of the big risers next season.
Melbourne will get their chance to host the Blues at the MCG in a Saturday afternoon clash, which is bound to draw a bumper crowd.
It’s the first time since 2017 that Melbourne have hosted the Blues, and only the second since 2011.
Round 23 – North Melbourne at Blundstone Arena (A)
Time and date TBC
For the second season in a row Melbourne will finish the home and away season in the Apple Isle with a clash against the Kangaroos.
After a close loss in Round 23 2019, the red and blue will be desperate to turn around a winless record in Hobart across four games in the Tasmanian capital.
