Hosting Collingwood at Preston in Round 1 is one of many big-ticket items for the Northern Blues in the 2018 VFL fixture.

Unveiled last week, the Blues will kick off their season with a clash against the Pies on a Saturday afternoon.

It will be the day after the old rivals meet at the MCG on Friday night in Round 3 of the AFL season.

On the re-developed Ikon Park, Northern is scheduled to play five of their nine home games on Royal Parade, with four to take place at the old heartland of Preston.

The other Preston City Oval games will be traditional suburban affairs, against reigning premier Port Melbourne (Round 4), Williamstown (Round 15) and the Battle of Bell Street against Coburg (Round 19).

The majority of Northern’s home games will be on differing days to when Carlton plays, once again giving Blues fans the chance to see their boys in action.

The only exception will be the Round 13 game against Footscray: while on the same Saturday as Carlton’s home clash against Port Adelaide, it has been scheduled for 10:00am.

Northern will face double-up fixtures against Collingwood, Essendon, Williamstown and the returning Frankston.

Other features of the Northern Blues’ 2018 fixture include:

  • An Ikon Park game against Essendon for the first time since their return to the competition
  • Playing competition newcomer North Melbourne in its first game in Round 2
  • Games against Richmond and Collingwood in Rounds 11 and 12
  • TV game in Round 5 against Frankston