Hawthorn CEO Stuart Fox has welcomed the release of the Club’s 2015 fixture, which he says provides plenty of positives for Hawks members and fans.

“Overall we are pleased with the 2015 fixture, both from a football and commercial perspective,” Fox said.

“We have drawn some fantastic home games at the MCG including against traditional rivals Geelong and a re-match of this year’s grand final against Sydney.

“We will also be playing Carlton at home, the first time in six years since Round 6 in 2009, and Essendon for the first time in four years, at home at the MCG, since Round 14 in 2011.

“Add to this a passionate Richmond side and we have five blockbuster clashes that are certain to attract big crowds and provide our fans and members with some epic games,” Fox said.

The 2015 fixture presents another challenging year for the Club drawing a tough start to the season and solid mix throughout the home and away draw.

“This year’s fixture see us play Sydney, Port Adelaide, Geelong, Essendon and Carlton twice in 2015. This is arguably three of the top five teams in 2014 with Essendon also a top eight side.

“We also encounter some strong interstate competition with Hawthorn travelling to play West Coast, Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Greater Western Sydney and Sydney.”

The Hawks have a total of nine games at the MCG in 2015, four at Aurora, four at Etihad and five interstate.

“We requested to play all seven home games at the MCG in 2015 but have drawn Port Adelaide in Round 21 at Etihad,” Fox said.

“Although our preference is to play all of our home games at the MCG, this match will be another fantastic contest and I would encourage all of our fans to get behind the boys in what will be an exciting preliminary final replay.”

Every Hawks’ game will be televised live on Foxtel and 15 games – the same as last season – will be broadcast free-to-air on the Seven Network.

“We are pleased with the more traditional time slots in 2015 and are sure these will be welcomed by our fans too.

“With four Friday night and five Saturday night games this presents excellent commercial opportunities for sponsors and partners in prime-time television markets,” Fox said.

The Hawks will launch their 2015 season at the MCG against Geelong, in their traditional Easter Monday match.

“The unveiling of our 2014 premiership flag at our first home game, at the MCG, will be a huge highlight for our fans and we are delighted to be able to share this moment again,” Fox said.

The Hawks Tasmanian season will begin in Round 3 when they meet the Western Bulldogs at Aurora Stadium.  

“Our Tassie Hawks members and supporters will have a good spread of games from Round 3 through until Round 22 at Aurora Stadium in Launceston.

“With the addition of a NAB Challenge match, the first time Collingwood has played at Aurora Stadium, this means we will have a longer presence in Tasmania stretching from February until the end of August.

“We are also pleased to be playing an emerging Gold Coast SUNS, a revitalised Brisbane Lions team and Fremantle Dockers in Round 15 which will be a re-play of the 2013 Grand Final.

“There has never been a more exciting time to be a member of Hawthorn so I encourage all existing members to renew today and all new supporters to get on board.”