MELBOURNE will play Richmond and North Melbourne in the second week of the opening round of the 2013 NAB Cup, and play a ‘home’ match at Casey Fields in week three of the pre-season competition.

The Demons will play the Tigers and Kangaroos at Etihad Stadium from 6.45 pm on Friday, February 22.

As has been the case in recent years, the first round of the pre-season competition will see three teams grouped together. Each team will play two of the three matches on the respective day.

Melbourne will host St Kilda at Casey Fields on Saturday, March 9, at 2 pm.

It will be the red and blue’s first NAB Cup clash there, as opposed to the previous NAB Challenge matches.

The clash at Casey Fields is an important one for the Demons, as they continue to build their brand in the south-east Melbourne region.

Chief executive Cameron Schwab said the club was delighted to showcase one of its matches in the City of Casey.

“We are really pleased to be playing a NAB Cup game at Casey Fields in 2013. We see it as a reward for our supporters in the region, as well as ongoing recognition of the strength of the club’s partnership with the City of Casey,” he said.

“Casey is one of Australia’s fastest growing regions, and is a key element of our club’s growth strategy.

“In 2008, the Club signed a 30-year agreement with the City of Casey, and we’re working hard to deliver community programs and business developments that provide real benefits to the region.

“Clearly, playing more football in Casey is a big part of our plans and a major reason as to why we pushed hard to have a NAB Cup fixture at Casey this year.”

As a club, we look forward to continuing to work with the AFL and the City of Casey to play more football in the region, and to continue to develop our status as Casey’s AFL team.

In week two, the Demons will travel to regional South Australia, taking on Port Adelaide at Renmark. The match will be played on Sunday, March 3, at 4 pm (CDT).

If Melbourne progresses through to the NAB Cup Grand Final, it will be played on Friday, March 15 or Saturday, March 16 at 7.40 pm. The venue has yet to be confirmed.

Melbourne’s NAB Cup fixture
Round 1 (week two)
Friday, February 22 - Melbourne v Richmond v North Melbourne (order of matches TBC), Etihad Stadium, from 6.45 pm

Round 2
Sunday, March 3 - Port Adelaide v Melbourne, Renmark, 4 pm (CDT)

Round 3
Saturday, March 9 - Melbourne v St Kilda, Casey Fields, 2 pm

Round 4
Friday, March 15 or Saturday, March 16 - NAB Cup Grand Final, venue TBC, 7.40 pm