In a unique draw release by the AFL for the 2021 season The Lions have been rewarded for their stellar 2020 season with some blockbuster matches at home and plenty for Victorian fans to like too.
The AFL today released Round One to Six of the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season in full with the remainder of the Season to have final detail confirmed once the Season begins.
The Lions have been rewarded with an exciting fixture, off the back of a remarkable 2020 campaign where they played in a Preliminary Final for the first time in more than a decade.
The 2021 fixture kicks off at The Gabba in Round 1 when The Lions take on Sydney in a Saturday night clash on 20 March at 6.45pm (FOX), a double-header with The Lions AFLW side who play Collingwood earlier that afternoon.
The Collingwood Easter Thursday match returns to The Gabba for 2021 followed by a Saturday night clash which will see Joe Daniher come up against his old side, Essendon, for the first time since joining the Lions as well as a Friday night clash with reigning Premiers, Richmond.
In 2021 the Lions will travel to Victoria seven times, with five games in Melbourne, one in Geelong and one in Ballarat.
The Lions will also head to Perth, Alice Springs, The Gold Coast and Adelaide on the road this year.
Lions CEO Greg Swann was happy with the fixture remarking that it served both our Queensland and Victorian fans really well.
“We’ve got a great home fixture but also return to Victoria for 7 games next year and we’re really excited to get back playing in front of our Victorian fans.
“Then off the back of so much football being played in Queensland in 2020 we really hoped that there would be some exciting matches up here for 2021 and this fixture has delivered,” he said.
“We saw crowds flock to The Gabba with the return of Easter Thursday in 2019 and we know members and supporters will get behind us at these games and pack the stands.
“We’re at the point now where you really have to make sure you’re a member to guarantee a seat, especially at those big games, so I would encourage everyone to jump on and grab a membership to ensure you don’t miss out.
