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While every game is vital, some hold extra significance upon any fixture release, with milestones, matches against old teams and historical firsts.

NMFC.com.au looks at the matches fans will be most excited for in 2016.

The season-opener/return bout

Round 1 v Adelaide – Saturday, March 26 – 7.25pm, Etihad Stadium
Players, coaches and supporters alike will have bad memories of last year’s season-opener against the Crows; a 77-point loss at Adelaide Oval had the critics writing North off within a couple of hours of its 2015 campaign starting.

In 2016, the Roos will boast the home ground advantage, while the travelling team will hope to kick-start Don Pyke’s tenure as coach in the perfect manner.

Todd Goldstein will also line up for his 150^th game.

Round 14 v Adelaide – Thursday, June 23 – 7.20pm, Adelaide Oval
Thirteen weeks later, North will get its first taste of the Thursday night experiment, taking on the Crows under lights at Adelaide Oval.

Brad Scott’s team has played just twice at the venue, defeated convincingly on both occasions in front of a unrelenting home crowd.

The milestone men

Several of North’s stars are set to celebrate milestones throughout 2016, presuming they stay fit.

Todd Goldstein’s 150^th: Round 1 v Adelaide – Saturday, March 26 – 7.25pm, Etihad Stadium
Drew Petrie’s 300^th: Round 7 v St Kilda – Sunday, May 8 – 3.20pm, Etihad Stadium
Andrew Swallow’s 200^th: Round 14 v Adelaide – Thursday, June 23 – 7.20pm, Adelaide Oval
Brent Harvey’s 427^th: Round 19 v St Kilda – Saturday, July 30 – 7.25pm, Etihad Stadium

Goldstein is a near certainty to take his place in round one after a huge 2015, while Petrie and Harvey have been remarkably durable in recent years, meaning playing every game up until their milestones is not beyond them.

Swallow missed two games due to a thumb injury this year, but aside from an achilles injury in 2013, has barely missed a game since 2009.

Friday night at the SCG

Round 10 v Sydney – Friday, May 27 – 7.50pm, SCG
While the Roos played at ANZ Stadium on a Friday night for the 2014 Preliminary Final, it’s been 23 years since they took on the Swans in the same time-slot at the SCG.

Back then, in 1992, the likes of Wayne Carey, Wayne Schwass and Anthony Stevens were the stars of the show, as North defeated Sydney by 49 points.

The 2016 version will have extra significance, with the Roos to don a special guernsey for Indigenous Round as the teams meet for the first time since the 2015 semi-final.

Tassie history

Round 11 v Richmond – Friday, June 3 – 7.50pm, Blundstone Arena
Footy has come a long way in Hobart over the past four seasons, highlighted by a blockbuster round 11 clash against the Tigers on football’s biggest stage – Friday night football – the first time Friday night footy will be played in the state’s history.

The corresponding fixture between the sides this season drew a sell-out crowd, and in prime-time another big turn-out will be expected.

Just as significant is the fact it will be the first time the teams met since this year’s Elimination Final. Richmond will be seeking revenge, with North aiming to rub further salt into the wounds.

Taking on the best/Jed’s return

Round 13 v Hawthorn – Friday, June 17 – 7.50pm, Etihad Stadium
Round 21 v Hawthorn – Saturday, August 13 – 2.10pm, MCG

To be the best, you have to beat the best, and North will have every opportunity in 2016 as it takes on the reigning premier twice in two months.

While Jed Anderson will need to prove himself during the pre-season, he’ll be desperate to win a regular spot in the side to take on his old team.

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2016 Fixture

* All times listed are local.

2016 Timeslots