Reigning premiers Richmond are locked in for two Friday night blockbusters at the MCG, with the AFL unveiling the schedule for rounds seven and eight.
The Tigers will face fellow premiership fancies the Western Bulldogs, before their grand-final rematch with Geelong in the second of back-to-back prime-time games at their home fortress.
Richmond were victorious in both games against Geelong in the Queensland hub last year, and the teams last played each other at the MCG in the 2019 preliminary final, which the Tigers won by 19 points.
After six-straight Thursday night games to kick-start the season, the AFL has reverted to a traditional Friday night match to open the weekend.
All match-ups have been locked in for the season, but the AFL will operate on a rolling fixture to deal with COVID-19 complications and to ensure big games are slotted in the best timeslots.
“A flexible fixturing approach has provided us with an opportunity to optimise our scheduling of primetime slots in each round,” AFL broadcasting manager Travis Auld said.
“The clubs featured in the next block have been strongly influenced by their form in the early part of the season.”
The AFL will release the schedule for rounds nine and 10 in two weeks.
Round Seven
Friday, April 30
Richmond v Western Bulldogs, MCG
Saturday, May 1
Collingwood v Gold Coast Suns, MCG
Adelaide v GWS Giants, Adelaide Oval
St Kilda v Hawthorn, Marvel Stadium
Sydney Swans v Geelong Cats, SCG
Brisbane Lions v Port Adelaide, Gabba
Sunday, May 2
North Melbourne v Melbourne, Blundstone Arena
Essendon v Carlton, MCG
West Coast Eagles v Fremantle, Optus Stadium
Round Eight
Friday, May 7
Richmond v Geelong Cats, MCG
Saturday, May 8
GWS Giants v Essendon, GIANTS Stadium
Gold Coast Suns v St Kilda, Metricon Stadium
North Melbourne v Collingwood, Marvel Stadium
Melbourne v Sydney Swans, MCG
Port Adelaide v Adelaide, Adelaide Oval
Sunday, May 9
Hawthorn v West Coast, MCG
Western Bulldogs v Carlton, Marvel Stadium
Fremantle v Brisbane Lions, Optus Stadium