The AFL couldn’t have picked a better season starter match to get fans and clubs back into the spirit of what makes the sport great. Tonight Carlton takes on Richmond which will see fans head to the ‘G’ in droves, hoping to show that the sport lives on despite the media coverage.

On Saturday fans are in for a four match treat as six clubs enter the mix.

Essendon, the source of most of the media attention this week will be entering an away match in Sydney against the Sydney Swans.

With their tails between their legs for much of the last two years, Essendon will be finally be able to storm onto the pitch with a full squad and a clean slate.

They don’t have an easy task, taking on last year’s minor premiers. The Swans have won the past four clashes between the sides,

Melbourne take on the Gold Coast Suns in the first match of the day, with both teams using the match to really show the pre-season has been fruitful.
The Demons have the most to prove, languishing last year but thankfully not getting the wooden spoon.

The Suns have secret weapon Gary Ablett to give them extra edge. Ablett starts the season as the No. 1 ranked player in the Official AFL Player Ratings.

Ever popular Collingwood meet the Brisbane Lions tonight at the ‘G’ hoping to redeem themselves from the missed finals series last year.

Sadly, controversy has shrouded their start, with Josh Thomas and Lachlan Keeffe being provisionally suspended for failing a drugs test.

A reinvigorated Western Bulldogs will be taking on West Coast Eagles, hoping to show versatility and take advantage of the Eagles’ lack of defenders.

Port Adelaide knocked Fremantle out of the finals series at Domain Stadium last year and come up against each other in Sunday’s blockbuster.

Never a dull moment when these two meet, both sides are looking pretty equally matched as both are suffering with injuries.

Fremantle fans will be looking for justice over the semi-final knockout and with the last match etched into the brains of the players, it might give them a competitive edge over Port.

Thursday April 2:
Carlton v Richmond
MCG, kick-off: 7:20

Saturday April 4:
Melbourne v Gold Coast Suns
MCG, kick-off: 1:40pm
Sydney Swans v Essendon
ANZ Stadium: kick-off: 4:35pm
Brisbane Lions v Collingwood
MCG, kick-off: 6:30pm
Western Bulldogs v West Coast Eagles
Etihad Stadium, kick-off: 7:20pm

Sunday April 5:
St Kilda v GWS Giants
Etihad Stadium, kick-off: 1:10pm
Adelaide Crows v North Melbourne
Adelaide Oval, kick off: 2:50pm
Freemantle v Port Adelaide
Domain Stadium, kick-off: 4:40pm

Monday April 6:
Hawthorn v Geelong
MCG, kick-off: 3:20pm