The curtain raiser is set to return for the Northern Blues in 2019 following the release of the VFL fixture for next season.
While still to be confirmed, the Blues could have as many as six curtain raisers, to be played at both the MCG and Marvel Stadium.
Confirmation will come in the new year, with Northern’s games in Rounds 8, 9, 11, 18, 19 and 20 potentially coming at the AFL grounds. Five of those are expected to come prior to Carlton matches.
The Blues will kick their season off in Round 2 with a trip down the highway, taking on Geelong at GMHBA Stadium after having a bye on the opening weekend of the season.
With a raft of re-signings and some exciting talent arriving, @jfraser17 provides an update on what's in store for @NBluesFC.#BoundByBlue
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) December 4, 2018
Northern’s first home game will be against Werribee in Round 4 at Preston City Oval, in what will be one of four home games at Cramer Street.
That also includes a return of the Battle of Bell Street on Queen’s Birthday weekend, with Northern to host local rivals Coburg on Sunday 9 June.
The Blues will have double-up fixtures against Collingwood, Geelong, North Melbourne and Sandringham: the games against the Pies (Round 4) and North (Round 17) will come at Victoria Park and Arden Street respectively.
Alex Johnson will be representing @NBluesFC in 2019! #BoundByBlue
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) November 30, 2018
Northern will have to wait until the penultimate game of the season to take on the reigning premiers, not playing Box Hill until Round 20. That game is scheduled for Marvel Stadium or Box Hill City Oval, pending arrival.
With 15 teams in the competition, the Blues will have three byes including Round 1. The other two will come in Round 6 as well as Round 12, with the latter in line with Carlton’s bye in the AFL.
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Round | Game | Venue | Date | Time |
1 | BYE | |||
2 | Geelong vs. Northern Blues | GMHBA Stadium | Sunday 14 April | 1pm |
3 | Collingwood vs. Northern Blues | Victoria Park | Saturday 20 April | 2pm |
4 | Northern Blues vs. Werribee | Preston City Oval | Saturday 27 April | 2pm |
5 | Northern Blues vs. North Melbourne | Preston City Oval | Sunday 5 May | 2:30pm |
6 | BYE | |||
7 | Northern Blues vs. Frankston | Preston City Oval | Saturday 18 May | 2pm |
8 | Sandringham vs. Northern Blues | Marvel Stadium* | Sunday 26 May | 11:40am |
9 | Essendon vs. Northern Blues | Windy Hill | Sunday 2 June | 11:40am |
10 | Northern Blues vs. Coburg | Preston City Oval | Sunday 9 June | 1pm |
11 | Northern Blues vs. Footscray | Marvel Stadium* | Saturday 15 June | 2pm |
12 | BYE | |||
13 | Northern Blues vs. Geelong | Ikon Park | Saturday 29 June | 2pm |
14 | Casey Demons vs. Northern Blues | Casey Fields | Saturday 6 July | 2pm |
15 | Port Melbourne vs. Northern Blues | Adcon Stadium | Saturday 13 July | 2pm |
16 | Northern Blues vs. Williamstown | Ikon Park | Sunday 21 July | 11am |
17 | North Melbourne vs. Northern Blues | Arden Street | Saturday 27 July | 2pm |
18 | Northern Blues vs. Collingwood | Marvel Stadium* | Sunday 4 August | 11:40am |
19 | Richmond vs. Northern Blues | MCG* | Sunday 11 August | 11:40am |
20 | Box Hill Hawks vs. Northern Blues | Marvel Stadium | Sunday 18 August | 12:30pm |
21 | Northern Blues vs. Sandringham | Ikon Park | Sunday 25 August | 1pm |