An 84-year anomaly headlines a number of fixture quirks which form part of Carlton’s 2019 outlook.

Once in a lifetime

For the first time in 84 years, Carlton will play Collingwood and Essendon just once each in next year’s home-and-away season.

Not since 1935 have the Blues played solitary games against both the Pies and Bombers: however, the 2019 season will see that trend bucked.

Carlton hosts Collingwood in Round 8, with the Richard Pratt Cup up for grabs. The Blues then face the Bombers three weeks later.

In 1935, the Blues defeated Collingwood in Round 9, before backing it up with a win over Essendon in Round 10. They marked Carlton’s 43rd wins against both of the old enemies.

An Easter return

Carlton returns to Easter Sunday football in 2019, coming up against the Western Bulldogs.

It’ll be the Blues first game on Easter Sunday in five years, when they also came up against the Dogs at Marvel Stadium in Round 5.

On that day, Chris Judd lasted 10 minutes in his return game, injuring his hamstring after being activated as sub in the third quarter.

Print Carlton's 2019 fixture

Blues bid farewell to Brisbane

While the Blues travel interstate six times in 2019 (including four times in the opening nine games), a trip to Brisbane won’t be among them.

2005 was the last time Carlton didn’t play a game at the Gabba, with 13 games against the Lions and the Gold Coast Suns’ first ever match since then.

However, Carlton’s solitary game against the Lions will be in Round 12 at Marvel Stadium.

Blues, Cats bide their time

Carlton and Geelong will have played five teams twice before they come up against each other for the first time next year. 

The Blues and Cats won't meet until the final game of the season, with Carlton to return to GMHBA Stadium for the second time in as many years. It ended a 21-year wait when they played at the venue in Round 10 in the season just gone.

Milestones aplenty

Marc Murphy will spend his pre-season with a firm eye on the season opener for another special reason, with the veteran in line to play his 250th game against the Tigers.

That game is also sure to notch up a significant club milestone, with Carlton to blood its 1200th player. Tom De Koning is the 1199th after his debut in Round 22 of the 2018 season.

It’s a year which promises a number of special milestones for the Blues, with new joint captains Sam Docherty (Round 8 vs. Collingwood) and Patrick Cripps (Round 20 against West Coast) in line to play their 100th games.

Other significant moments could be a double milestone for Dale Thomas, who could play his 250th AFL game (Round 12) and his 100th club game (Round 20 vs. West Coast).