The 2008 Toyota AFL Premiership Season fixture was today officially released, confirming Hawthorn will play 10 games at the MCG, seven of which are Melbourne based home games, while the Hawks will return to prime time TV with 12 of their matches to be picked up by free-to-air broadcasters.

The Hawks’ season opener is against Melbourne on Sunday March 23, with the Hawks set to play each of the co-tenants, Melbourne, Richmond and Collingwood, twice in 2008 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The first season of a five year deal with the Tasmanian Government in 2007 saw the Hawks play four eventual top four sides at Launceston’s Aurora Stadium and 2008 promises to deliver another group of enthralling Tasmanian home matches with Adelaide (Rd4), Port Adelaide (Rd8), Western Bulldogs (Rd10) and Brisbane Lions (Rd19) all set to make the trip south.

Chief Executive, Ian Robson, said the strength of the 2008 Hawthorn draw reflected the strong performance of the Club on field in 2007 and the increased interest by broadcasters to show Hawthorn games on free-to-air television.

“We’re pleased that we have further entrenched our position with regard to our seven home games at the MCG and these have been supplemented by a further three away games at the MCG,” said Robson.

“We will continue to work hard with our colleagues at the AFL as we continue to strive to have these strong features within our fixturing as we move forward.

“The broadcasters and the AFL have shown a degree of confidence in the future prospects of the team by the scheduling of 12 matches into free-to-air timeslots, a 50 percent increase compared to the previous season.”

The Hawks have attracted 12 free-to-air matches in 2008 (2007:8) and will play an additional two Friday night fixtures (2007:1) with three games next season, including a Friday Night Blockbuster against reigning premiers Geelong at the MCG on Friday July 25.

In a replay of last year’s thrilling elimination final encounter the Hawks will play their first Tasmanian home game against the Adelaide Crows at Aurora Stadium in Round 4.

2007 Grand Finalists, Port Adelaide, will again make the trip down to the Apple Isle (Rd 8), with the Hawks keen to revenge their 5 point loss to the Power at the same venue in the run into last year’s finals campaign.

The Western Bulldogs will return to Tasmania following a five year absence to take on the Hawks in Round 10, while The Brisbane Lions will make their first trip to the island state in search of premiership points. The Lions game is sure to attract extra attention amongst the Tasmanian AFL supporters with the chance for footy followers to watch AFL superstar Jonathan Brown up-close and personal and the added spice of Hawthorn Legend Leigh Matthews at the helm of the Lions.

Other notables of the 2008 Hawthorn draw include:

•    Melbourne matches 14 (2007:13)
•    Interstate travel, excluding Aurora, 4 (2007:5)
•    Telstra Dome away games 4 (2007:5)
•    Friday night home games 2 (2007:0)
•    Total Friday night games 3 (2007:1)