HAWTHORN and Geelong will kick off their 2017 JLT Community Series campaigns under lights when the two sides meet at University of Tasmania Stadium (previously Aurora Stadium) on Friday 17 February.
The encounter will pit the arch-rivals against each other for the first time since their heart-stopping 2016 qualifying final.
It will also mark Geelong’s first game in Launceston in ten years.
The two sides previously met at Aurora Stadium in Round 4, 2007, with the Hawks prevailing in a four point thriller.
The Hawks will then head to Arden Street, home of North Melbourne, to play the Kangaroos in the club’s second pre-season game, with the match fixtured for Sunday 26 February at 2.05pm.
Two weeks later, Hawthorn will round out its pre-season preparation with a clash against Port Adelaide at Hickinbotham Oval in Noarlunga, South Australia on Sunday 12 March at 12.40pm.
After a break of just under two weeks, the Hawks will open their 2017 season with a the blockbuster clash against arch-rivals Essendon at the MCG.
That game will be played on Saturday 25 March.
The full 2016 home-and-away fixture will be released later this week.
Entry to all Hawthorn JLT Community Series matches will be FREE for 2017 members (subject to availability).
Hawthorn’s 2017 JLT Community Series fixture:
Match one
Friday, 17 February
Hawthorn Vs Geelong Cats
University of Tasmania Stadium (previously Aurora Stadium)
19:40 EDT
Match two
Sunday, 26 February
North Melbourne Vs Hawthorn
North Melbourne Recreation Reserve – Arden Street
14:05 EDT
Match three
Sunday, 12 March
Port Adelaide Vs Hawthorn
Hickinbotham Oval, Noarlunga SA
12:40 CDT
