AFL fixture rumours are starting to leak ahead of the first two-thirds of the 2025 fixture being released next month, so we thought it was time to put together what we think Round 1 might look like.
Keeping with tradition, Richmond and Carlton would kick things off on the Thursday night at the MCG, with Richmond's new draft riches set to be on display against the Blues as the two clubs commence campaigns facing polarising expectations.
Victorian rivals Hawthorn and Essendon are keen to continue their Round 1 clash and could do so on the Friday night this year, with the Hawks expected to see a large increase in prime time games in 2025.
Saturday would see four games held, three in Victoria and the last coming in Adelaide.
Opening the day's events would be St Kilda and North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium, a match that would see former Western Bulldogs pair Jack Macrae and Caleb Daniel go head-to-head in their new colours.
The twilight slot would see a third former Bulldog, Bailey Smith, unveiled in front of his new fans at Kardinia Park when Geelong host the Dogs in Round 1 in what is sure to be an entertaining affair.
The two Saturday night fixtures will host four clubs expected to compete for the premiership next year, with a 2023 grand final rematch between Collingwood and Brisbane coming before Port Adelaide and GWS meet at Adelaide Oval.
The Magpies will blood new recruits Daniel Houston and Harry Perryman against the reigning premiers in front of home fans for the first time, while new-look outfits for the Power and Giants will be looking for early bragging rights.
Sunday, March 16 will clash with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, potentially seeing the AFL schedule the sole Victorian game as the earliest of the three.
That could see Melbourne and Adelaide clash at the MCG close to 1:00pm before Sydney hosts their second home game in as many weeks when they take on Fremantle at the SCG.
The Demons would therefore welcome the return of departed forward Alex Neal-Bullen, who could make his Crows debut alongside James Peatling and Isaac Cumming.
The Swans-Dockers clash would see Fremantle unveil Shai Bolton in purple for the first time since his switch from the Tigers too.
The final game would head west where West Coast would have their first game under new coach Andrew McQualter, who would come up against his former mentor Damien Hardwick and the Gold Coast Suns at Optus Stadium. The match would also see Eagles recruit Liam Baker and former teammate-turned-Sun Daniel Rioli make their club debuts under their former Richmond coaches.
The Sunday fixtures for the Swans and Suns would give both clubs the best possible break following their Opening Round fixtures, with the Lions and Giants having late Saturday slots following their respective openers too.
Thursday, March 13
Richmond vs Carlton, MCG, 7:30pm
Friday, March 14
Hawthorn vs Essendon, MCG, 7:40pm
Saturday, March 15
St Kilda, vs North Melbourne, Marvel Stadium, 1:45pm
Geelong vs Western Bulldogs, GMHBA Stadium. 4:35pm
Collingwood vs Brisbane, MCG, 7:30pm
Port Adelaide vs GWS, Adelaide Oval, 8:10pm
Sunday, March 16
Melbourne vs Adelaide, MCG, 1:00pm
Sydney vs Fremantle, SCG, 3:20pm
West Coast vs Gold Coast, Optus Stadium, 4:40pm
All times AEDT*