While North Melbourne will only be scheduled for two games in its traditional Friday night slot, Chief Executive Officer Carl Dilena says the 2015 fixture is recognition of the club’s growing appeal to AFL fans.
The Kangaroos are set for seven Saturday night games, and just one Sunday twilight game next season.
“The AFL has seen the excitement the team can produce with an exciting brand of football, with the two Friday night and seven Saturday night games. Those are really strong TV viewing time-slots,” Dilena told NMFC.com.au.
“This year we drew bigger crowds and TV audiences, and as a result we’ve received a better fixture.”
View North's full fixture | View 2015 AFL fixture
North is set to face the top three placed sides from this year, Port Adelaide, Hawthorn and Sydney in Saturday night home games during the first half of the season.
It is also scheduled to take on perennial high-drawing teams Geelong and Carlton in the same timeslot in Rounds 15 and 18 respectively.
“To be drawn against quality opposition in prime-time games shows there’s plenty of interest around the team, and the success on the field this year will only further enhance that.”
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Among the other blockbuster games scheduled for 2015, North will be the away side (at Etihad Stadium) against the Bombers on a Friday night in Round 7, before hosting them at the same venue in Round 16.
“The good thing for our fans in Victoria is we get quality games like Hawthorn, Sydney, Port Adelaide and Essendon that are high-ranking sides, as home games in Melbourne.”
North will embrace the opportunity to play against the best.
“We’ve got two teams in the top six twice in Geelong and Fremantle. In the middle six we’ve got Essendon and Richmond, so it’s a slighter tougher draw reflective of where we finished on the ladder.
“Our fans will be able to enjoy some quality games, and our players will have the chance to go up against the best sides.”
Despite upping its allotment of Tasmanian games from two to three, the Kangaroos will again have eight interstate games in 2015.
“We’re really pleased that despite playing an extra game in Hobart, our Victorian supporters will be able to see the team in action 14 times, the same as 2014.”
