Richmond and Carlton will kick off the 2018 AFL season for the 11th time in 12 years after the Herald Sun revealed the full round one fixture ahead of the entire schedule's release next Tuesday.
With the last three round one contests between the two sides achieving crowds over 73,000, the AFL is expecting a crowd of over 80,000, given Richmond premiership success.
Jake Stringer, Adam Saad and Devon Smith will make their AFL debuts for Essendon in a blockbuster Friday night clash, as they host this year's losing grand finalists Adelaide at Etihad Stadium.
Gary Ablett's first game in Geelong colours since 2010 will come when his side faces Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday, who get to show off one of their prized recruits from the trade period as well.
Jake Lever, who was one of Adelaide's best in 2017, made the move to the Demons after asking to leave the Crows, and will run out onto the MCG for the first time as a Demon on the opening Sunday.
History is also being made in the west, as the Eagles will host the first game at the new Perth Stadium.
West Coast will welcome Sydney for the final match of the opening round, with Fremantle having to wait until round two before playing on the new turf.
Thursday, March 22
Richmond v Carlton at MCG (7.25pm)
Friday, March 23
Essendon v Adelaide at Etihad Stadium (7.50pm)
Saturday, March 24
St Kilda v Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium (3.35pm)
Port Adelaide v Fremantle at Adelaide Oval (4.35pm)
Gold Coast Suns v North Melbourne at Cazaly’s Stadium, Cairns (7.25pm)
Hawthorn v Collingwood at MCG (7.25pm)
Sunday, March 25
GWS Giants v Western Bulldogs at Manuka Oval, Canberra (1.10pm)
Melbourne v Geelong at MCG (3.20pm)
West Coast Eagles v Sydney Swans at Perth Stadium (7.10pm)