MELBOURNE will play 13 matches at the MCG in 2011, including 10 in the first 14 rounds.
The AFL released the 2011 fixture on Friday morning, with the Demons receiving a positive result from a football point of view.
The Demons will play the Sydney Swans at the MCG in the opening round of the season.
It will be a great opportunity for the Dees, considering their greatest win under coach Dean Bailey occurred against the Swans at the ‘G in round 17 this year. Melbourne won by 73 points.
Melbourne will play its first three matches at the MCG, before heading to the Gabba in round four to take on the Gold Coast Suns - the AFL’s newest club. The Demons will also play the Suns at the MCG in round 23. Melbourne will again play Collingwood in the traditional Queen’s Birthday clash on Monday, June 13 at the MCG.
From rounds 10 to 14, Melbourne will play five matches at the MCG.
Overall, it will play 13 day matches and eight night games.
The Demons have two byes in rounds five and 16.
It will play matches on Thursday (one night), Friday (three night), Saturday (five afternoon, one night), Sunday (four afternoon, three early, three twilight), Monday (one afternoon) and round 24 (floating)
Melbourne will play its matches at: MCG (13), Etihad Stadium (four), AAMI Stadium (one), Gabba (one), Skilled Stadium (one), Patersons Stadium (one) and TIO Stadium (one). (Note: Patersons Stadium is formerly Subiaco Oval and TIO Stadium was known as Marrara Oval in Darwin.)
The Dees will play 18 matches in Victoria, including 10 home matches and eight away, while they will play four games outside of the state, including a home match in Darwin. This includes back-to-back matches in rounds four (Gold Coast Suns) and five (West Coast Eagles).
The club will play three Friday night matches, including back-to-back games against Carlton (round 10) and Essendon (round 11) and then against the Western Bulldogs in round 15.
But a ‘home’ match against West Coast Eagles at Etihad Stadium is the club’s biggest disappointment from the fixture, while there will also be some commercial challenges for the club.
Melbourne’s will have 14 free to air matches - a 55 per cent increase on last year.
Fox will show nine matches, Channel Seven (six), Channel Ten (six) and the floating round 24 match against Port Adelaide is to be confirmed in 2011.
