AFL Media has rated the Lions’ 2016 season draw favourably.
The Lions will play six games in Melbourne for the first time since 2012, in addition to a seventh Victorian game against the Cats in Geelong.
“They wanted six games in Melbourne. That was their big ticket item this year, and they got that, which will obviously please their Fitzroy following,” said reporter Jennifer Phelan.
The Lions are also set to host a series of Gabba blockbusters against some of the AFL’s biggest teams.
“They wanted two big games at the Gabba and they’ve got Collingwood and Hawthorn going up there to play them.
“They got 30,000 plus at the Collingwood game this year so they’ll be pleased with that from a commercial perspective to have the Pies back there again. They’ve got the Pies in round eight and the Hawks in round 10 – that’s a pretty big couple of weeks for footy up at the Gabba,” Phelan said.
“There are no Friday night games, but that’s probably fair enough given where they finished on the ladder."
The Club will also face a difficult task beginning its season against 2015 grand finalists, the West Coast Eagles, in Perth on Easter Sunday.
“It’s not a great place for them to start their season,” Phelan said.
“They’ve got some tough double match ups but their three big wishes for the season have been granted so they’d have to be pretty happy with what they’ve been given.”
AFL Media’s Fixture Rating – PROS:
- Six matches in Melbourne
- Host games against Collingwood and Hawthorn at the Gabba
- No back-to-back six day breaks OR consecutive weeks of travel
- Avoid away games against Hawthorn, Sydney, Fremantle and North Melbourne
AFL Media’s Fixture Rating – CONS:
- Double match-ups against the West Coast Eagles, Port Adelaide and Geelong
- Open their season against the West Coast Eagles at Domain Stadium
- No Friday night games
