The AFL has released the 2022 fixture, with details on the opening nine rounds confirmed and the final 14 rounds of the year set to fall under a floating fixture.
The season will begin on Wednesday, March 16 between the 2021 grand finalists Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs in what will be an emotional and tantalising opening to the new season.
The AFL has locked in an ANZAC Day double-header, with Hawthorn and Sydney also featuring on the public holiday, with their clash being held at UTAS Stadium on April 25 at 12:30pm AEST.
West Coast and Sydney will clash in Perth on Good Friday night next year, succeeding the afternoon game between the Kangaroos and Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.
Round 3 (Melbourne/Essendon and Adelaide/Port Adelaide) and Round 8 (Port Adelaide/Western Bulldogs and Fremantle/North Melbourne) will also see double headers on Friday night.
Other highlighting fixtures include Craig McRae and Sam Mitchell's first bout against each other, which will take place at the MCG in Round 12.
Adam Cerra will line up against his former side, Fremantle, in Round 6 at Optus Stadium, returning to his old home ground.
Swans veteran Lance Franklin will have his best chances of booting his 1000th career goal against either the Giants (Round 1) or Geelong (Round 2), with the latter fixture taking place at the SCG.
