FOR THE FIRST time since 2010, Melbourne will play 10 home matches at the MCG during the 2020 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.
The Demons will welcome a game back to its spiritual home the MCG, having hosted a match in Darwin for the past decade, while two traditional blockbusters are set to headline their fixture.
The ANZAC Day Eve clash against Richmond (Round 6) and the Queen’s Birthday match against Collingwood (Round 12) have both been secured as home games in 2020. This follows Melbourne’s existing arrangement of alternating as the home team every second year.
> SYNC THE 2020 FIXTURE TO YOUR CALENDAR
Following the release of the fixture on Thursday morning, Melbourne CEO Gary Pert highlighted the positives for the Melbourne faithful.
“Melbourne supporters have made it clear they would like to see the Darwin home match return to the MCG as soon as possible, so I’m sure they will be delighted that we’re playing 10 home games there in 2020,” he told Melbourne Media.
“There is lots to look forward to next year, with that extra game at home, as well as two big blockbuster games against Richmond and Collingwood.
“Continuing the tradition of the ANZAC Day Eve match against Richmond is a privilege, to not only honour the significance of the occasion but also to play in front of a big MCG crowd.”
As announced on Tuesday, Melbourne will open the season on Sunday 22 March at 3.20pm (AWST), with a trip to Perth to take on the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium.
The following week, Melbourne will play their first home match at the MCG against Greater Western Sydney on Saturday 28 March at 1.45pm. The clash could see new recruit Adam Tomlinson face his former side for the first time – a prospect set to excite Demon fans.
Continuing to invest in Alice Springs, the red and blue will return to the Northern Territory in Round 9 to face Adelaide in the annual ‘Heart of the Nation’ match.
“Our players have really taken ownership of this game and truly believe it provides us with a home ground advantage,” Pert said.
The Demons will travel a total of seven times next season, including two games in Western Australia and Queensland, and one match in the Northern Territory, South Australia and Tasmania. No consecutive weeks of travel have been scheduled.
Melbourne’s bye will occur in Round 13, with plenty of opportunity to see the Demons in action at the MCG on either side – they will play eight matches in the first half of the season, and five in the back half (13 in total).
The AFL’s floating fixture will remain in 2020, with details of Melbourne’s Round 23 clash against North Melbourne yet to be confirmed. While the game will be held at Blundstone Arena, the date, time and broadcast information will be released later next year.
For supporters unable to attend matches, the Demons will play in eight free-to-air matches on the Seven Network. All games will be broadcast on Fox Sports and will also be available via the AFL Live Pass.
