Hawthorn Chief Executive Officer Justin Reeves welcomed the release of the club’s fixture today.
Reeves explained that while the fixture has some great highlights for Hawks supporters, it presents some challenges for the club from a commercial perspective.
“We understand the fixture process is a challenging one for the league, however it is disappointing we did not receive any of the priority fixture requests we submitted to the AFL and that we have again been fixtured a home game at Marvel Stadium,” Reeves said.
“On a positive note, we are pleased our members will be able to enjoy some terrific home games at the MCG, with big match-ups against the Cats on Easter Monday, Collingwood on a Friday night and reigning premiers West Coast.
“In addition, we have drawn away games at the MCG against Melbourne, Richmond and Geelong, all of which provide our Victorian members and fans with some fantastic opportunities to support our boys at home against quality opposition.”
Reeves praised the Tasmanian element of the fixture, with match ups against two big Melbourne clubs in Launceston, as well as interstate teams Port Adelaide (Round 10), Fremantle (Round 17) and Brisbane (Round 19).
“Playing Richmond in the JLT Community Series and Carlton in Round 6 at University of Tasmania Stadium is a fantastic outcome for our fans down south,” Reeves said.
“Our 9,000 plus members in Tassie are keen to see us play against the traditional Melbourne teams and we know this will be a highlight for them.
“We are really looking forward to our four home games in Launceston, as well as our JLT match against the Tigers.”
The talking points of the Hawks’ 2019 fixture include:
● 13 games in Melbourne
● Six home games at the MCG: Round 2 against the Western Bulldogs, Round 3 against North Melbourne, Round 5 against Geelong, Round 8 against GWS, Round 15 against West Coast and Round 16 against Collingwood
● The Hawks will play another three “away” games at the MCG
● One home game at Marvel Stadium: Round 22 against Gold Coast
● The bye is in Round 12
● Four home games in Tasmania: Round 6 against Carlton, Round 10 against Port Adelaide, Round 17 against Fremantle and Round 19 against Brisbane
● Five interstate games in addition to Tasmania: Round 1 against Adelaide, Round 11 against Brisbane, Round 14 against Sydney, Round 21 against GWS and Round 23 against West Coast
● Five Friday night games
● Play in Canberra for the first time in a home and away season (in Round 21 against GWS) and meet Carlton outside of Victoria for just the second time in history
● The Hawks play the following teams twice: West Coast, Brisbane, GWS, Geelong and North Melbourne
● Hawthorn will not play a Thursday night game in 2019
To see Hawthorn’s full 2019 fixture click here.
