The 2027 AFL fixture has been released. So, to whet your appetite for the upcoming season, we've picked out the five must-watch games from the opening month of action.
Get the popcorn ready and get set to enjoy these absolute belters in the new year.
5. Port Adelaide vs. Western Bulldogs - Round 4, Adelaide Oval, Sunday, April 8, 7:40pm (AEDT)
Make no mistake, when Zak Butters returns to Adelaide Oval to face his old mob for the first time since departing, it's going to be incredibly spicy.
In a move that shocked absolutely nobody, Butters left Port Adelaide during the 2026 trade period, inking a long-term deal with the Western Bulldogs. It's a brutal blow for the Power, and his ex-teammates will be sure to give him a hard time when they share the field in Round 4. You just know it's going to be on for young and old!
The AFL also made the move to schedule this blockbuster game as the closer to next year's Gather Round. It means far more bodies will be in Adelaide that weekend and a greater number of eyeballs on the clash.
4. Hawthorn vs. Geelong - Round 2, MCG, Monday, March 29, 3:15pm (AEDT)
The traditional Easter Monday clash between the Hawks and Cats is always on our shortlist of early season must-watch games, and next year will be no exception.
Both of these clubs are in the premiership window. Both clubs have added high-profile players this offseason. Both clubs have fanbases that bring an electric energy to Easter Monday at the MCG.
This one is also set to be a fascinating coaching battle between Chris Scott and Sam Mitchell, two of the game's best tacticians, who will go head-to-head just as much as the players on the field.
3. Fremantle vs. Western Bulldogs - Round 1, Optus Stadium, Thursday, March 18, 8:10pm (AEDT)
This Round 1 game in the west is simply oozing with intrigue.
Of course, the question on everyone's mind is how the Dockers back up after having this year's premiership ripped away from them in harrowing circumstances. Does it galvanise the club? Will we see 'Wharfie Time'? Surely not!
For the Bulldogs, they landed the biggest fish of the off-season in superstar midfielder Zak Butters. This will be the first opportunity to watch him play in his new colours, lining up in the middle alongside skipper Marcus Bontempelli and Ed Richards.
2. Brisbane vs. Collingwood - Round 2, Gabba, Thursday, March 25, 7:50pm (AEDT)
Reigning premier Brisbane will unfurl its latest flag in Round 2 when it hosts Collingwood in its first home game of the season, a clash that has blockbuster written all over it.
The Lions are looking to become just the second team ever to win four consecutive flags (joining, you guessed it, Collingwood from 1927 to 1930) but will be doing it without superstar midfielder Lachie Neale. The two-time Brownlow medallist departed for the Magpies this offseason, making this early season contest between the two clubs extra intriguing.
Plus, any opportunity to watch current Brownlow medallist Nick Daicos play footy is reason in itself to tune in!
1. Hawthorn vs. Brisbane - Round 1, MCG, Friday, March 19, 7:40pm (AEDT)
Thankfully we don't have to wait long for the Hawks and Lions -- quite possibly the competition's two best teams -- to square off in 2027. And if this game delivers even 70% of what these sides dished up in this year's epic preliminary final, then we're in for an absolute treat!
Many have labelled Brisbane's thrilling win over Hawthorn this past September as the greatest game of footy played this century. That in itself should be enough of a reason for their next clash to simply be must-watch.
There will be extra intrigue with both teams given this clash falls in Round 1. For the Lions, they will be looking to navigate life without both superstar midfielder Lachie Neale and master coach Chris Fagan, while the Hawks will be attempting to integrate recruits Zach Merrett and Ben King into their line-up.