Mark these clashes down in your calendar (all occasions EDT).
GRAND FINAL REMATCH (Geelong v Sydney)
Round 6, April 22, 7:25pm at GMHBA Stadium
How will Sydney reply to their 2022 Grand Final drubbing? The Cats obtained the cream and premiership cup within the large dance the final time the 2 groups’ met. But historical past exhibits it’s the Swans who will get the factors when the 2 golf equipment face-off earlier than Round 10. In truth, it’s been a decade since Geelong final obtained a win over Sydney pre-Round 10 in a season.
GRUNDY-BOWL (Collingwood v Melbourne)
Round 13, June 12, 3.20pm at MCG
It’s no secret Brodie Grundy anticipated to be a Magpie for all times. But his injury-interrupted 2022 marketing campaign, plus the rise of Collingwood’s Mason Cox-Darcy Cameron ruck partnership, noticed the membership off-load their dear two-time All Australian. Now a Demon, there’s little doubt Grundy will likely be raring to go in opposition to his type facet – and present the membership what they’re lacking. The ruck battle will go an enormous strategy to figuring out the end result of the match, with Melbourne’s Grundy-Max Gawn combo anticipated to be deadly.
THE POWER STRUGGLE (Port Adelaide v North Melbourne)
Round 9, May 13, 2.10pm at Blundstone Arena
Port Adelaide couldn’t imagine their luck when 2021 primary draft decide Jason Horne-Francis advised North Melbourne he needed a commerce residence after only one season. And it’s clear there’s no love misplaced between Horne-Francis and his former membership. List boss Brady Rawlings has hinted there’s extra to the story than the drama that performed out publicly in season 2022. Add in Roo Cam Zurhaar’s social media sledging of Horne-Francis, and this contest looms because the spiciest of 2023.
POST-PRELIM PAIN (Sydney v Collingwood)
Round 8, May 7, 3.20pm at MCG
It was heartbreak for the Magpies within the cruellest trend in 2022 – a one-point preliminary remaining loss away from residence after a gallant fightback. After Collingwood’s season of miracles, their luck lastly ran out in opposition to the Swans on the SCG – at a venue the place Pies teenager Jack Ginnivan was booed whereas injured. Collingwood will likely be decided to go one higher and “use the wipers”, as coach Craig McRae used as an analogy in 2022, to go one higher.
THE RETURN OF CRIPPS (Brisbane v Carlton)
Round 8, May 5, 7.50pm at Marvel Stadium
Brisbane followers have been left seething when Blues skipper Patrick Cripps walked away with out penalty for the collision that concussed Callum Ah Chee. It was Carlton’s extraordinary enchantment, after failing on the Tribunal, that in the end led Cripps to his Brownlow Medal win in 2022 – however Lions followers felt slighted by the entire ordeal. Cripps can count on loads of boos when he returns to the Gabba in 2023.
THE GIANT FAREWELL (Richmond v GWS)
Round 12, June 4, 1.10pm at GIANTS Stadium
Not solely did GWS lose two star midfielders at commerce time, however they misplaced the duo to the identical membership in exceptional scenes. Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper each appreciated what they noticed at Richmond and walked out on the Giants. Now they’ll face their former teammates for the primary time. The Giants aren’t any stranger to gamers shunning the NSW way of life for the larger AFL golf equipment, however this time they’ll get to face two of their former teammates in the identical match.
DOG GONE, RORY! (Fremantle v Western Bulldogs)
Round 6, April 21, 8.10pm at Optus Stadium
The Dockers ended the Bulldogs’ cost in 2022 with a superb comeback win within the elimination remaining. But the Dogs obtained the final snort once they lured key ahead Rory Lobb out of Fremantle to supply the again up Aaron Naughton has desperately wanted. With each side anticipated to be finals contenders, the conflict between the Dockers and Dogs shapes to be essential.
THE HEARTBREAKER (Carlton v Collingwood)
Round 10, May 21, 3.20pm at MCG
Who may neglect the heartbreaking MCG scenes as Carlton’s one-point Round 23 loss noticed them drop out of the highest eight for the primary time all season and miss the finals – by simply 0.6 per cent. The Blues had each likelihood to win that match and couldn’t get it accomplished. No doubt coach Michael Voss will use the match as an enormous motivator when these two sides meet in 2023.
DERBY DELIGHT (Fremantle v West Coast)
Round 3, DATE, 5.20pm (3.20pm native) at Optus Stadium
West Coast are not the massive birds on the town and coughed up State bragging rights to rivals Fremantle in 2022. And whereas the Eagles aren’t anticipated to fly excessive in 2023, the derby all the time throws up it’s personal drama as the shape information goes out the window. While little brother Fremantle is sitting fairly with a squad constructing premiership momentum, the Eagles are merely in rebuild mode. But nobody has forgotten Andrew Gaff’s notorious off the ball hit on Docker Andrew Brayshaw both, setting the stage for an additional ding-dong battle.
BIG BOYS TUSSLE (Hawthorn v Collingwood)
Round 21, August 4, TBC at MCG
Two proud Victorian golf equipment will go face to face – however in utterly completely different phases of premiership window. Former Hawk Tom Mitchell will get to face the membership that deemed him not required as they begin their rebuild. Collingwood has proven the very best path out of the doldrums – after leaping from backside 4 to prime 4 in only one yr.
DUNK ON DUNKLEY (Brisbane v Western Bulldogs)
Round 3, March 30, 7.20pm at Marvel Stadium
The Western Bulldogs didn’t wish to lose Josh Dunkley. They managed to maintain maintain of him again in 2020 and virtually made it by means of one other Trade Period earlier than an eleventh hour deal was struck on the deadline. Dunkley’s supervisor was left unimpressed by the ordeal with the Lions, stating the golf equipment have been haggling over a future fourth spherical decide. At least Dunkley could have one ally in his former teammates, with finest mate Adam Treloar nonetheless on the Bulldogs.
PRODIGAL SON RETURNS (Melbourne v Fremantle)
Round 11, May 27, 2.10pm at MCG
Melbourne’s prized 2019 draftee, and premiership ruckman, Luke Jackson deserted ship and headed to the Dockers for 2023 and past in one of many worst-kept secrets and techniques within the AFL. Rumours of Jackson’s return residence had run rampant all through 2022, disrupting the Demons all season. Now with Jackson again residence and Melbourne getting their very own ruck weaponry with Brodie Grundy, the conflict between these two golf equipment is bound to be fierce.
THE SHOWDOWN (Adelaide v Port Adelaide)
Round 3, April 1, 7.30pm (7pm native) at Adelaide Oval
It doesn’t matter the place these two golf equipment sit on the ladder when it’s time for a Showdown. The hatred between the 2 golf equipment and two fan bases runs deep, and the physicality all the time goes up a notch in relation to SA dominance. Expect trash discuss within the lead up and fireworks through the recreation.
BRING BACK THE BIFF (Brisbane v Melbourne)
Round 1, March 24, 7.50m (6.50pm native) at The Gabba
Melbourne flew north to face the Lions in Round 23 final yr and completely belted their rivals in a thumping we aren’t used to seeing lately. The Demons went after the likes of Dayne Zorko bodily – along with his sledge in direction of Harrison Petty igniting the fireplace between the 2 sides. It was the Lions who obtained the final snort with their semi remaining victory knocking Melbourne out of the 2022 premiership race in straight units. Expect the Demons to reply in 2023.
Originally printed as Blues’ shot at revenge; spicy return after commerce drama: Top AFL video games to observe in 2023
