MELBOURNE will open its 2017 pre-season campaign – now known as the JLT Community Series – against the reigning premiers, the Western Bulldogs, at Victoria University Whitten Oval.
The red and blue will play the Bulldogs on Saturday, February 18 at 4.40pm.
It will be the third year in a row that Melbourne has played the Bulldogs in a pre-season match, having defeated the Dogs at Eureka Stadium in Ballarat in 2015 and again at Craigieburn in 2016.
It will be the first of three pre-season matches before Melbourne’s home and away season opens against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, March 25 at 4.35pm.
The JLT Community Series has replaced what was previously known as the NAB Challenge.
The competition will run from Thursday, February 16 to Sunday, March 12.
Melbourne’s second game is a home match against Carlton at Casey Fields on Saturday, February 25 at 2.05pm.
It will be the first of three encounters against the Blues in 2017, as Melbourne also plays Carlton in rounds two and 16, both at the MCG.
Melbourne finishes its campaign with a clash against the West Coast Eagles at Domain Stadium on Thursday, March 9.
It will be the first of two clashes against the Eagles at Subiaco in 2017, as Melbourne takes on West Coast in round 14.
Melbourne pre-season fixture (JLT Community Series)
Match 1
Saturday, February 18
Western Bulldogs v Melbourne
VU Whitten Oval, Away, 4.40pm EDT
Match 2
Saturday, February 25
Melbourne v Carlton
Casey Fields (Cranbourne East), Home, 2.05pm EDT
Match 3
Thursday, March 9
West Coast Eagles v Melbourne
Domain Stadium, Away, 5.40 WST
