Hawks pitch for Launceston Anzac Day clash

Ahead of the men’s fixture release, which the AFL envisions to be later this month, the Hawks say they are also keen to build on their match honouring emergency services workers. They have hosted Collingwood in the three years since the fundraiser for the Emergency Services Foundation was founded.

This year’s round 21 match was held before an empty stadium at the MCG during Melbourne’s sixth lockdown. At one point, it was shifted to Launceston, meaning the Magpies would have featured for the first time in a home-and-away match in Tasmania, but that plan was scuppered when a new COVID-19 case in the Apple Isle forced the sold-out clash to return to the MCG.

The Hawks have requested a major Melbourne-based opponent for that game, helping to attract a healthy attendance in a year when they are not expected to be serious finals contenders.

The Magpies remain the ideal opponents despite the Pies facing the first year of a rebuild under new coach Craig McRae. But their drawing power, regardless of the state of their list and pre-season expectations, remains high, and they are at the top of a wish list that features several clubs.

The Brisbane Lions have requested their Easter Thursday clash against the Magpies return to the Gabba, the Magpies and Essendon continue to have the blockbuster Anzac Day clash at the MCG, while Carlton and the Magpies are keen to meet twice a year.

The league has also yet to unveil the AFLW fixture, which has complications because Western Australia’s border will not open to all states for several months.

The season, already delayed, is slated to start between January 6-9, meaning Fremantle and West Coast may be forced on the road in the early stages of the season. WA’s border is currently open to Queensland and South Australia, so another option is for the Eagles and Dockers to play the three teams spread across those two states and have a Perth derby to at least get their season going.

That the WA border is expected to open in late January means â€" at this point â€" the men’s Dockers and Eagles can host early season matches and quarantine will not be needed for visiting teams.

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Jon Pierik is a sports journalist at The Age. He covers AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.Connect via Twitter or email.

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