Magpies eye first-up Demons clash

COLLINGWOOD has requested a Round 1 blockbuster against Melbourne in a move that would allow the Demons to retain hosting rights for the Queen’s Birthday match next year.

And Geelong wants to take on Carlton at home next season for the first time in 21 years. Geelong’s formal fixture submission to the league asked for a clash against the Blues in a prime Saturday timeslot in the early part of the season.

The Magpies considered reclaiming hosting rights for the Queens’s Birthday Monday blockbuster but will instead seek a Round 1 battle against Melbourne as part of a gate-sharing agreement, similar to the Anzac Day deal with Essendon.

The season-opener would give Melbourne an immediate shot at redemption against Collingwood, after blowing its finals hopes in Saturday’s 16-point shock loss to the Pies.

The Melbourne match will kickstart a softer draw for the Pies in 2018 as Collingwood looks to break into the eight for the first time in five years under coach Nathan Buckley.

Importantly, the Queen’s Birthday peace plan will also ensure Melbourne continues to host Neale Daniher’s Big Freeze at the G event on the June 11 public holiday next year. The Demons have helped build the fundraiser into one of the most popular events on the calendar, helping raise more than $15 million for motor neurone disease research.