Curtain-raisers, double-headers and Sunday games dominate a VFL Magpies fixture announced by the VFL on Friday.
As has been the case in previous years, the Holden Centre will be used for home games correlating to AFL home games at the MCG.
The result? Fans will be able watch a double dose of Collingwood action with both the AFL and VFL teams playing one after the other six times spread throughout the season.
“We wanted to expose our VFL program to as many supporters as possible whilst aligning with our AFL schedule,” Collingwood VFL General Manager Chris Dixon explained.
“We have four marquee games at our spiritual home Victoria Park, two twilight fixtures at the Holden Centre following on from AFL MCG games, and we’ve requested two curtain-raisers at the MCG.
“These allow supporters to witness both teams play on the same day in the same precinct.”
Sunday will also be VFL day for a large part of the season ahead. 10 home and away season games fall on a Sunday, with the other eight scheduled for Saturday morning or afternoon timeslots.
The move was requested by the football department to benefit players on the fringe of AFL selection.
“Where possible, we have tried to ensure our VFL game follows our AFL game to avoid our AFL players missing out on a game of football due to being a carryover,” Dixon said.
“We believe this will provide players greater continuity throughout the season which will no doubt assist their performance.
Victoria Park will also remain a focal point in 2018.
The traditional home of the Magpies will host a blockbuster ANZAC Day weekend clash with Essendon on Saturday 21 April, before also being the home for the final three games of the home and away season.
The ANZAC Day weekend game has become somewhat of a tradition in the VFL in recent years, and will once again be televised by Channel 7 in 2018.
“We are delighted our VFL side will feature in Channel 7 games three times in the opening 12 rounds, including a huge clash against Essendon at Vic Park,” Dixon said.
“Fan support for the VFL Magpies is always strong, and we’re thrilled to capitalise on that by allowing supporters all across the country the ability to watch our side in action.”
While the list is still being finalised, the VFL Magpies will in 2018 look to embark on a sixth consecutive finals campaign. Only Williamstown has achieved such a feat of consistency in the modern era of the state league competition.
COLLINGWOOD VFL FIXTURE 2018
|
Round |
Date |
Match |
Venue |
Time |
|
PM1 |
Thurs 8 Mar |
Richmond v Collingwood |
Punt Road Oval |
6:00 PM |
|
PM2 |
Fri 16 Mar |
Collingwood v Coburg |
Holden Centre |
7:00 PM |
|
PM3 |
Sat 24 Mar |
Collingwood v Box Hill Hawks |
MCG |
TBC |
|
PM4 |
Sat 31 Mar |
Collingwood v North Melbourne |
Holden Centre |
6:30 PM |
|
1 |
Sat 7 Apr |
Northern Blues v Collingwood |
Preston City Oval |
2:00 PM |
|
2 |
Sat 14 Apr |
Port Melbourne v Collingwood |
North Port Oval |
2:00 PM |
|
3 |
Sat 21 Apr |
Collingwood v Essendon |
Victoria Park |
2:10 PM |
|
4 |
BYE |
|||
|
5 |
Sun 6 May |
Werribee v Collingwood |
Avalon Airport Oval |
3:00 PM |
|
6 |
Sun 13 May |
Collingwood v Geelong |
Holden Centre |
11:30 AM |
|
7 |
Sat 19 May |
Coburg v Collingwood |
Piranha Park |
2:10 PM |
|
8 |
Sat 26 May |
Footscray v Collingwood |
Whitten Oval |
11:00 AM |
|
9 |
Sun 3 Jun |
Collingwood v Richmond |
Victoria Park |
11:30 AM |
|
10 |
Sat 9 Jun |
Casey v Collingwood |
Casey Fields |
1:00 PM |
|
11 |
BYE |
|
|
|
|
12 |
Sun 24 Jun |
Collingwood v Northern Blues |
Holden Centre |
11:30 AM |
|
13 |
Sat 1 Jul |
Williamstown v Collingwood |
Burbank Oval |
2:00 PM |
|
14 |
Sun 8 Jul |
Collingwood v Werribee |
Victoria Park |
11:30 AM |
|
15 |
BYE |
|||
|
16 |
Sat 21 Jul |
Essendon v Collingwood |
Windy Hill |
11:00 AM |
|
17 |
Sun 29 Jul |
North Melbourne v Collingwood |
Avalon Airport Oval |
1:00 PM |
|
18 |
Sun 5 Aug |
Box Hill v Collingwood |
Box Hill City Oval |
2:00 PM |
|
19 |
Sun 12 Aug |
Collingwood v Port Melbourne |
Victoria Park |
1:00 PM |
|
20 |
Sun 19 Aug |
Collingwood v Frankston |
Victoria Park |
1:00 PM |
|
21 |
Sun 26 Aug |
Collingwood v Sandringham |
Victoria Park |
2:00 PM |
