VERDICT

The Swans are almost certain to kick off their premiership defence with two wins, facing Greater Western Sydney and Gold Coast in the opening fortnight.

It gets harder from there, though, as they'll have to face Collingwood, Geelong and Hawthorn twice.

Unlike their Grand Final opponent the Hawks, however, the Swans will get two return matches against non-finalists from 2012, including the Giants.

They have a high number of six-day breaks (seven), including back-to-back between rounds three and five.

The defending champs will get primetime exposure in three Friday night clashes, and will play in the first ever home and away season game in New Zealand, against St Kilda.

CLUB HIGHLIGHTS
  • To meet local rival GWS in a twilight season opener at ANZ Stadium on Easter Saturday. Return encounter against the Giants to be played in round 16 at the SCG.
  • Will travel to Hobart in round three to play North Melbourne in a Saturday afternoon clash at Blundstone Arena.
  • To unveil the 2012 premiership flag against Gold Coast in round two. Also scheduled to play two Friday night matches at the SCG, against Geelong in round four and Carlton in round 14.
  • Will feature in the first match for premiership points outside Australia, in round five, journeying to Westpac Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand, to meet St Kilda in an Anzac Day clash.
  • To encounter 2012 Toyota AFL Grand Final opponent Hawthorn on two occasions, in round seven at the MCG and round 23 at ANZ Stadium.
  • Will play at home for the final round, against Hawthorn at ANZ Stadium, after travelling in round 23 last season.

To download a pdf version of the 2013 fixture, click here.

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL

RDDATEOPPONENTVENUEH/A LOCAL TIME
1Saturday, March 30 GWS GIANTSANZ StadiumAway4.40pm
2Saturday, April 6 Gold Coast SUNSSCGHome1.45pm
3Saturday, April 13 North MelbourneBlundstone ArenaAway1.45pm
4Friday, April 19 Geelong CatsSCGHome7.50pm
5Thursday, April 25 St KildaWestpac StadiumAway7.40pm
6Sunday, May 5 Brisbane LionsSCGHome1.10pm
7Saturday, May 11 HawthornMCGAway7.40pm
8Saturday, May 18 FremantleSCGHome7.40pm
9Friday, May 24 CollingwoodMCGAway7.50pm
10Saturday, June 1 EssendonSCGHome4.40pm
11Saturday, June 8 Adelaide CrowsAAMI StadiumAway4.10pm
12Bye    
13Saturday, June 22 Port AdelaideAAMI StadiumAway1.10pm
14Friday, June 28 CarltonSCGHome7.50pm
15Sunday, July 7 MelbourneMCGAway1.10pm
16Sunday, July 14 GWS GIANTSSCGHome1.10pm
17Sunday, July 21 West Coast EaglesPatersons StadiumAway2.40pm
18Sunday, July 28 RichmondSCGHome4.40pm
19Sunday, August 4 Western BulldogsEtihad StadiumAway1.10pm
20Saturday, August 10 CollingwoodANZ StadiumHome7.40pm
21Sunday, August 18 St KildaSCGHome3.15pm
22Saturday, August 24 Geelong CatsSimonds StadiumAway4.40pm
23TBCHawthornANZ StadiumHomeTBC