MELBOURNE will play 12 matches, including eight home matches at the MCG in 2014, after the AFL released its 2014 home and away fixture on Thursday.

The Demons will open its season at Etihad Stadium against St Kilda on Saturday night, March 22.

It will play its first MCG match in round two against the West Coast Eagles on Sunday, March 30.

Melbourne will also create history when it plays the first home and away match in Alice Springs. The Demons will host Port Adelaide at TIO Traeger Park in round 11 on Saturday, May 31.

The Demons will also play Fremantle at TIO Stadium in round 16 on Saturday, July 5.

Overall, Melbourne will play three matches in the Northern Territory in 2014, including a pre-season match at TIO Traeger Park.

The traditional Queen’s Birthday clash against Collingwood will continue in 2014. The clash will happen in round 12 on Monday, June 9.

New coach Paul Roos will take on his former team, the Sydney Swans, for the first time in round six at the MCG on Saturday, April 26.

The Demons play Port Adelaide, North Melbourne, West Coast Eagles, Western Bulldogs and Greater Western Sydney twice.

Melbourne chief executive Peter Jackson said the Queen’s Birthday clash against Collingwood was a highlight and the club was keen to continue building its base in the Northern Territory.

“We are pleased to be playing our traditional Queen’s Birthday game against Collingwood and two games in the Northern Territory, building on our relationships in the Top End that began in 2010. Of course, our members and supporters will be provided with replacement games at our home, the MCG, for those games in the NT,” he said.

“The commercial opportunities in the 2014 fixture reflects our on field performance over the last couple of years. We accept that and look forward to improved commercial fixtures in the future as our team improves.”

Key points from Melbourne’s 2014 home and away fixture 

• Melbourne will play 12 MCG games, including eight home matches in 2014. In 2013, the Demons played 13 matches at the ‘G.
• The Demons will play two home and away matches in the Northern Territory in 2014 – three overall, including a pre-season match at TIO Traeger Park.
• Melbourne and Port Adelaide will play in the first AFL home and away match at Alice Springs. The two teams will play at TIO Traeger Park in round 11.
• The Demons will host Collingwood at the MCG in the traditional Queen’s Birthday clash on Monday, June 9.
• From rounds four to 14, Melbourne will play eight of 10 matches at the MCG.
• Melbourne will play St Kilda in round one. Their most recent meeting in the opening round was 2007, when the Saints won by 31 points.
• New coach Paul Roos will coach against his former side, the Sydney Swans, for the first time in round six, when the two sides meet at the MCG on Saturday night
• The Demons will play matches in five states/territories next year, except the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland and Tasmania.
• Melbourne will have its bye in round 10.
• The first team Melbourne plays twice in 2014 is the Western Bulldogs. The Demons play the Dogs in round eight and then round 15.
• The Demons play Port Adelaide (rounds 11 and 18), North Melbourne (rounds 14 and 23), West Coast Eagles (round two and 22), Western Bulldogs (rounds eight and 15) and Greater Western Sydney (rounds three and 21) twice. Every other club, Melbourne plays just once.
• Melbourne plays 2013 premiers Hawthorn just once in round 20.
• The first top eight team from 2013 Melbourne plays is Carlton in round four.
• The only 2013 top eight side Melbourne plays twice in 2014 is Port Adelaide (rounds 11 and 18).
• The Dees don’t play a 2013 top three side until round 16, which is Fremantle at TIO Stadium
• Melbourne plays Greater Western Sydney, which finished last in 2013, twice in 2014
• The Demons will not play at Simonds Stadium in 2014 – the first time it won’t venture down the highway in seven years. The Dees have played at the Cattery every year except 2007 and 2001 since 1998.
• The Dees will not play a match at the Gabba/and or Queensland for the first time since 2000.
• Melbourne will venture to two states/territories twice in 2014: Northern Territory and South Australia. But the Demons will play at TIO Stadium and TIO Traeger Park in the Top End, and Adelaide Oval twice in South Australia.
• Melbourne will play its 2014 matches at the MCG (12 times), Etihad Stadium (four), Adelaide Oval (twice), Giants Stadium (once), Patersons Stadium (once), TIO Stadium (once) and TIO Traeger Park (once).
• Melbourne will start its 2014 on March 22. This is the earliest it has started its season since 2000, when it kicked off its season on March 8. The early start back then was due to the Olympic Games being held in Sydney in September 2000.
• The Demons play their matches on Saturday afternoon (four times), Sunday early (four), Sunday afternoon (three), Monday afternoon (once), Saturday twilight (once), Sunday twilight (twice) and Saturday night (five).
• The Dees will not play a Friday night match in 2014
• Melbourne will play North Melbourne in round 23 – the final home and away round of the season. The match will be played at Etihad Stadium, but the date and time is yet to be confirmed.
• Channel Seven will broadcast nine Melbourne matches and Foxtel will show 12 matches. Round 23 against North Melbourne will be confirmed closer to that date next year.