Richmond will return to centre stage in 2018 after the AFL rewarded them for their grand final win with a slew of high-profile games in the season fixture announced on Tuesday.
The Tigers will kick the season off and unfurl their premiership flag at the MCG in a now-standard fixture against Carlton, on Thursday night.
And Adelaide won't have to wait long to have a crack at Richmond, with the Crows to host a Thursday night grand final rematch in round two at Adelaide Oval.
The Tigers didn't feature on Friday night once this season after their disastrous 2016 campaign, but Damien Hardwick's men will play five Friday night games and three Thursday night matches next year.
"We've seen it over the last few years where the teams that perform get put into the Thursday/Friday night slots and that changes from year to year," AFL fixturing boss Travis Auld said.
"So Richmond is the big beneficiary (this year).
"They weren't exactly rapt when they got dropped off to zero this year ... but the best way to get back into those slots is to start winning.
"Adelaide also benefit (with five Friday night games) and then there's a lot of excitement around teams like Essendon (four) and Geelong (three), so they get their fair share this year."
Sydney also received five Friday night games, but Carlton, who finished 16th and are expected to struggle again in 2018, were bizarrely handed four Friday night matches in addition to their season-opener on a Thursday night.
A key part of formulating the fixture is the 'weighted rule', which breaks the 2017 ladder into six groups -- top, middle and bottom six.
Greater Western Sydney and the Swans have been handed tough draws as they are the only teams to play three top-six sides twice.
Sydney also have the most six-day breaks with eight, while Gold Coast have the least with three.
Good Friday footy will continue but North Melbourne will take on St Kilda instead of the Western Bulldogs.
"We made it clear that we wouldn't lock in two teams and we've been true to our word there," Auld said.
The Bulldogs will seek an explanation from the AFL over the snub.
The 2018 grand final will be held on Saturday September 29, with the AFL to discuss further whether to leave it as a traditional afternoon match or move it to a twilight start.
Several games will be significant for players who will take on their old clubs for the first time:
* Geelong's Gary Ablett will face the Suns at Metricon Stadium in round 11.
* Adelaide's Bryce Gibbs will go up against Carlton at Adelaide Oval in round seven.
* Melbourne's Jake Lever will face the Crows for the first time after his acrimonious exit in round 10 in Alice Springs.
* Essendon's Jake Stringer will meet the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium in round three.
* Brisbane's Luke Hodge will go up against Hawthorn in round nine at the Gabba.
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