The AFL unveiled its 2014 AFL Fixture yesterday and Carlton CEO Greg Swann welcomed the Blues’ draw.

Here’s a recap on the key features for Carlton:
• The Blues kick off Round 1 against Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium
• Carlton will partake in three Sunday night games, including blockbusters against Collingwood and Essendon
• In total, the Blues will play four-day matches, four twilight matches and 13 night matches.
• Carlton will play return clashes against Collingwood, Essendon, Geelong, Port Adelaide and St Kilda

We have scoured both mainstream and social media platforms to gauge reaction to Carlton’s road ahead for 2014. Here’s what is being said:

AFL Fixture – Find out how your club fared
“CARLTON – GOOD. Avoids horror draw, playing only two of a possible three games against top-six sides.? Play first nine games in Melbourne. Will host Collingwood in Round 7 in first clash between Dale Thomas and his old side.” – Jay Clark, Herald Sun

Test for Blues, Tigers get off Lightly
"Coach Mick Malthouse and his football department will need to plot their course through the season carefully in terms of preparation, too. Carlton has been dealt six-day breaks between games no fewer than eight occasions, higher than the AFL average, and has the even more difficult hurdle of consecutive six-day breaks three different times during the season.

“But it's not a complete catastrophe for Malthouse's side, which, in a trade-off, has drawn only five road trips, including only one to Perth.” – Rohan Connonlly, The Age. 

Eagles, Swans emerge well-placed as fixture bids to share the spoils
“The Thursday and Friday fixtures are as fan-friendly as possible, scheduled for the start of the season when anticipation is high and then for school holidays and the eve of public holidays, when the need to "get the kids home to bed" isn't as pressing.

“And there are some beauties among them:  Essendon-Carlton and Collingwood-Carlton on Sunday nights, Richmond-Carlton, Adelaide-Collingwood, Sydney Swans-Geelong and Fremantle-Carlton among the Thursday nights.

“These might be experiments, but they are grand experiments all the same.” – Ashley Browne, AFL.com.au