HAWTHORN members and fans have plenty of reasons to be excited for next season, with the Hawks receiving a combination of prime time and family-friendly timeslots in the 2016 AFL fixture.
The Hawks have been scheduled to play eight night matches, 12 afternoon matches and one twilight match (with a Round 23 match time-slot to be confirmed).
Seven home matches will be played at the MCG (10 Hawks matches in total) and four at Aurora Stadium, with no home game at Etihad Stadium in 2016.
The team will also play in Launceston four times, Sydney twice, Queensland once, Adelaide once and Perth once, giving interstate fans the chance to see their Hawks live in action.
CEO Stuart Fox welcomed the release of the club’s 2016 fixture, which he says provides plenty of positives.
“Overall we are pleased with the 2016 fixture, and think it’s a strong draw for Hawks fans and members,” Fox said.
“We have drawn seven home games at the MCG, with big match-ups against West Coast Eagles, Richmond, Sydney Swans, North Melbourne and Collingwood that are certain to attract big crowds.
“Additionally, we are scheduled to play Adelaide Crows on Friday night at the MCG to kick off ANZAC Round and we face Melbourne in the family friendly Saturday afternoon slot in Round 11 at home.”
The Hawks will kick-start their season with an Easter Monday blockbuster against Geelong, which has become tradition for the Hawks and Cats.
VIEW THE FIXTURE: Every Hawthorn game for 2016
In the only clash between the two fierce rivals during the 2016 home-and-away season, it’s an entry game for Hawks members and is sure to be an electrifying start to the season.
But that’s not all.
In Round 2, the 2015 premiership flag will be unfurled at the MCG, as the Hawks line up against West Coast Eagles in a massive grand final rematch.
The Hawks first game in Launceston for the year will be in Round 4, against St Kilda, the week after the Hawks come up against Western Bulldogs and former Hawk Matthew Suckling.
Highlights of the Hawks’ 2016 fixture include:
- Seven home games at the MCG, beginning with a grand final re-match against West Coast Eagles in Round 2
- Match-ups against Victorian clubs Carlton and St Kilda at Aurora Stadium, as well as 2015 minor premiers Fremantle and Gold Coast Suns
- An away match at The Gabba (Round 10); the first time the club has played at the venue since 2008
- Matches at Aurora Stadium evenly spread across the season
- Six Friday night and two Thursday night prime time fixtures
- Family friendly timeslots with seven Saturday afternoon games and one Saturday twilight game (away)
The Hawks’ start to 2016 is equally as exciting as the end, with blockbuster games against North Melbourne (MCG), West Coast Eagles (Domain Stadium) and Collingwood (MCG) rounding out the home-and-away season and hopefully leading into a seventh consecutive finals campaign.
Every Hawks’ game will be televised live on Fox Footy and 15 games will be broadcast free-to-air on the Seven Network.
“It’s a great start to the season for our Tassie Hawks members and supporters, with an even spread of games, two different Victorian opponents in Carlton and St Kilda as well as 2015 minor premiers Fremantle and the emerging Gold Coast Suns at Aurora Stadium,” Fox said.
“We’re also thrilled to be returning to The Gabba for the first time since 2008, and look forward to playing in front of our Queensland members and supporters.”
RELATED
Sign up as a 2016 Hawks member
Tough start to 2016 for the Hawks
What to look forward to in 2016
