HAWTHORN and Carlton will kick off the 2016 NAB Challenge under lights when the two sides meet at Aurora Stadium on Thursday 18 February.
The encounter pits four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson against the Hawks former Assistant Coach Brendon Bolton, who took on the senior coaching job at Carlton at the end of August.
Bolton returns to his home state to take on his former club, with the start time set for 7.10pm EDT.
The two sides previously met in a NAB Cup game at Aurora Stadium in 2007, with the Blues prevailing by seven points.
The Hawks will then head to Beaconsfield in regional Victoria to play Richmond in the club’s second pre-season game, with the match fixtured for Saturday 27 February at 4.40pm.
The game will be played at Holm Park Recreation Reserve.
Two weeks later, Hawthorn will round out its pre-season preparation with a clash against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Saturday 12 March at 7.10pm.
After a break of just over two weeks, the Hawks will open their 2016 season in the blockbuster Easter Monday clash against Geelong at the MCG, the AFL confirmed recently.
That game will be played on Monday 28 March.
While a second round match-up against West Coast Eagles has been widely mooted, the full 2016 home-and-away fixture will be released on Thursday morning.
Entry to all Hawthorn NAB Challenge matches will be FREE for 2016 members (subject to availability).
Hawthorn’s 2016 NAB Challenge fixture:
Match 1
Hawthorn v Carlton
Thursday 18 February
Aurora Stadium
7.10pm EDT
Match 2
Richmond v Hawthorn
Saturday 27 February
Holm Park Recreation Reserve (Beaconsfield, VIC)
4.40pm EDT
Match 3
Hawthorn v North Melbourne
Saturday 12 March
Etihad Stadium
7.10pm EDT
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