AFL.com.au has decided to take a look at the pros and cons of our 2017 Fixture, what do you think?
PROS: From last season's finalists, the Lions play only the premiers twice. Three of their last four games are at the Gabba. The Lions also host traditional Victorian clubs Essendon, Geelong and Carlton.
CONS: No Friday night games, not a big surprise given their dismal form last season. Back to back away games in round seven and eight in Sydney (against the Swans) and Launceston (against Hawthorn).
PLAY TWICE: Gold Coast, Essendon, Richmond, Western Bulldogs, Port Adelaide
BYE: Round 11
FIRST FOUR WEEKS: Gold Coast (a), Essendon (h), St Kilda (a), Richmond (h).
LAST FOUR WEEKS: Western Bulldogs (h), Gold Coast (h), Melbourne (a), North Melbourne (h).
SIX-DAY BREAKS: Four
THEY SAY: "The fixture gives us really good consistency in the timing of our home games on Saturday evenings, which is great for fans and our corporate partners ," CEO Greg Swann said. "We want to become relevant again as a club and owning a regular timeslot at the Gabba is a big part of that. There are also six games in Melbourne - including two in the opening five rounds - which rewards our loyal Victorian fans. From a footy perspective, we have a good spread of games and only single trips to Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and Tasmania, so there is plenty of opportunity for our team to excel."
WE SAY: A pretty good draw for the rebuilding Lions. Starts with the Q-Clash, only one trip to Perth and only play the premiers twice. Good from a commercial sense, too, with Essendon, Geelong and Carlton travelling to the Gabba.
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