The AFL is banking on Collingwood and Carlton being primetime kings once again, while North Melbourne have been banished from the spotlight as the league released the full 2026 fixture on Thursday.

The Magpies have emerged as primetime darlings, appearing on either a Thursday or Friday in six of their opening 10 rounds. Collingwood will face Adelaide in round one at the MCG – a highly anticipated grudge match that will likely mark the return of Izak Rankine for the first time since his suspension for using homophobic language against a Pies opponent the last time they met.

The Blues have four of the first seven Thursday night matches and Good Friday match against North Melbourne. That includes new Swan Charlie Curnow’s first-up match against his old side in the opening round clash betw

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