SUMMER may be approaching, but focus has already shifted for some towards the next AFL season.
The AFL has announced its round fixture for the 2017 season.
The season will kick off on Thursday, March 23 when the Carlton Blues take on the Richmond Tigers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
The Carlton v Richmond season opener has become a tradition in recent AFL history.
The following night, 2016 champions the Western Bulldogs will face the Collingwood Magpies in a showdown at the MCG.
The contest likely to grab most attention that round will be when the Essendon Bombers take on Hawthorn Hawks on Saturday, March 25 at the MCG.
It will be the first time that Essendon’s banned players will return to the field following the doping ban.
Meanwhile, the Hawks will look to bounce back after being knocked out in the semi-finals of this year’s competition.
Hawthorn had won the AFL premiership the previous three successive years.
2017 Round One Fixture:
Thursday, March 23:
Carlton v Richmond, MCG
Friday, March 24:
Collingwood v Western Bulldogs, MCG
Saturday, March 25:
Sydney Swans v Port Adelaide, Sydney Cricket Ground
North Melbourne v West Coast, Etihad Stadium
Gold Coast v Brisbane Lions, Metricon Stadium
Essendon v Hawthorn, MCG
Sunday, March 26:
Adelaide v Greater Western Sydney, Adelaide Oval
St Kilda v Melbourne, Etihad Stadium
Fremantle v Geelong, Patersons Stadium.