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AFL welcomes back Thursday night lights

Shayne HopeAAP
Port Adelaide will host Geelong as Thursday night AFL games return in round 13.
Camera IconPort Adelaide will host Geelong as Thursday night AFL games return in round 13. Credit: AAP

AFL premiership contenders Port Adelaide and Geelong will clash in the first of three Thursday night fixtures when the marquee timeslot returns to the competition's schedule in June.

The AFL on Thursday confirmed its fixture for rounds 13-15, with the Power-Cats encounter at Adelaide Oval one of the highlights.

West Coast host Richmond on a Thursday night in round 14, then Brisbane meet Geelong in round 15.

Most clubs playing on Thursday nights will be coming off a bye, however, the Lions (five days) and Cats (six) will do battle after short breaks.

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"Thursday night primetime footy returns with three huge match ups across three different states," AFL broadcast and scheduling boss Marcus King said.

"With the support of the AFLPA and clubs, we can utilise up to one five-day break per club subject to certain parameters and this has helped in achieving and optimising this next block of Thursday matches."

The Game AFL 2024

Round 13 also features the return of the 'Big Freeze' feature match between Melbourne and Collingwood.

It will be played at the MCG on the Queen's Birthday Monday for the first time since 2019, having been wiped off the calendar last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Round 13 will also see St Kilda play a home game against Adelaide in Cairns, which hosted four matches during the coronavirus-affected 2020 season.

"It is great for the fans of St Kilda and the Crows, as well as fans in Queensland, to attend and host a Saturday night fixture at Cazalys Stadium," King said.

Rounds 13 and 14 will feature standalone Sunday clashes and conclude a three-round bye period, which sees six clubs each week have a break.

Regular nine-match rounds resume in round 15, with the schedule from round 16 onwards still to be determined.

ROUND 13

Thursday, June 10

Port Adelaide v Geelong, Adelaide Oval, 7.10pm ACST

Friday, June 11

Sydney v Hawthorn, SCG, 7.50pm AEST

Saturday, June 12

Fremantle v Gold Coast, Optus Stadium, 2.15pm AWST

St Kilda v Adelaide, Cazalys Stadium, 7.25pm AEST

Sunday, June 13

North Melbourne v Greater Western Sydney, Blundstone Arena, 3.20pm AEST

Monday, June 14

Melbourne v Collingwood, MCG, 3.20pm AEST

Byes: Brisbane, Carlton, Essendon, Richmond, West Coast, Western Bulldogs

ROUND 14

Thursday, June 17

West Coast v Richmond, Optus Stadium, 6.10pm AWST

Friday, June 18

Geelong v Western Bulldogs, GMHBA Stadium, 7.50pm AEST

Saturday, June 19

Gold Coast v Port Adelaide, Metricon Stadium, 1.45pm AEST

North Melbourne v Brisbane, Marvel Stadium, 4.35pm AEST

Greater Western Sydney v Carlton, Giants Stadium, 7.25pm AEST

Sunday, June 20

Hawthorn v Essendon, MCG, 3.20pm AEST

Byes: Adelaide, Collingwood, Fremantle, Melbourne, St Kilda, Sydney

ROUND 15

Thursday, June 24

Brisbane v Geelong, Gabba, 7.20pm AEST

Friday, June 25

Richmond v St Kilda, MCG, 7.50pm AEST

Saturday, June 26

North Melbourne v Gold Coast, Blundstone Arena, 1.45pm AEST

Collingwood v Fremantle, Marvel Stadium, 4.35pm AEST

Essendon v Melbourne, MCG, 7.25pm AEST

Port Adelaide v Sydney, Adelaide Oval, 7.10pm ACST

Sunday, June 27

Greater Western Sydney v Hawthorn, Giants Stadium, 1.10pm AEST

West Coast v Western Bulldogs, Optus Stadium, 1.20pm AWST

Carlton v Adelaide, Marvel Stadium, 4.40pm AEST

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