It’s never easy to tell which teams have been handed the best fixture from the AFL six months out from the season starting.

But Collingwood have been given no cause to complain by the league after the 2027 draw revealed a schedule that will have Craig McRae, Nick Daicos and even president Barry Carp dancing down Olympic Boulevard.

The Pies have the fourth-easiest fixture in the AFL by the percentage of their double-up opponents, with twin games against expected battlers Essendon and Richmond as well as non-finalist St Kilda.

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Double-ups against reigning Grand Finalists Brisbane and Fremantle, including a Round 2 reunion for Lachie Neale with his old Lions teammates at the Gabba, presents as a tougher assignment.

“I can’t wait to see Lachie Neale go back to the Gabba. I’ve got that circled in red texta,” Sam Edmund said on Fox Footy’s Fixture on Fox, while describing the likely reception the three-time premiership great will receive from the Lions faithful as “hostile”.

“Every set of supporters get into their players who leave, and Brisbane, they make a bit of noise up there.”

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Meanwhile, dual blockbusters against old foes Carlton should see the MCG packed on both occasions, especially if the Blues can pick up where they left off with a stunning end to 2026 under caretaker-turned-full time coach Josh Fraser.

As an added boost, the Pies leave Melbourne only six times, including a Friday night Gather Round clash with Sydney at the Adelaide Oval, leaving a whopping 14 games at the MCG – including a Round 1 ‘away’ match against Marvel Stadium tenant the Saints.

With McRae’s men looking to rise back into the eight after a thrilling wildcard final loss ended their 2026 season, former great David King believes they’ve been given a golden chance to do just that.

“It’s almost like the AFL want Collingwood to go well,” King said.

“The fourth-easiest draw in the competition, 14 games at the MCG – they’ve gone 16 wins two years ago back to 12 and two draws last season, so there’s a little bit of pressure on.”

Lachie Neale will play old team Brisbane in Round 2 at the Gabba.Source: Supplied Source Unknown

The cherry on top is another season as the AFL’s prime time kings.

After ten home-and-away games in 2026 on Thursday or Friday night – plus their traditional Anzac Day and King’s Birthday marquee matches – the Pies have a further six by Round 12 alone.

With clashes with premiership contenders the Lions, Dockers, Geelong and Adelaide in the final eight rounds, which will be scheduled mid-year, that could easily swell into double digits should the Magpies have even another middling campaign.

“We’re going to see a lot of them, there’s no doubt about that,” King said.

“11 prime time opportunities, Thursday Friday Saturday night, so they’d want to be good.”

However, King also believes the Pies’ prime time exposure could backfire badly on the AFL.

Not only are the Pies one of the most intriguing teams heading into 2027, having added to an already ageing team with the acquisition of 33-year old Neale and 31-year old Jesse Hogan during the trade period; but they have become staunchly defence-first in recent seasons, ranking sixth for points against in 2026 but tenth for points for.

“For me, this is a bit of a risk from the AFL,” King said.

“This is a potential error, that we’re going to see a lot of Collingwood, if they don’t stack up.

Reigning Brownlow Medallist Nick Daicos celebrates a goal. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

“I’m just not sure all their games were the most watchable last year. They play a brand of footy that can look great, that can look pretty humdrum for a little while.

“11 times (on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night) is a lot.

“They are Collingwood, and they’ve got a huge supporter base, we all understand that.

“We cannot wait to see Lachie Neale in his new colours, and Jesse Hogan to give some real substance to that full forward position. Who knows?”

The Pies’ season begins with a Saturday night clash against St Kilda at the MCG on March 20, and will be broadcast live and exclusive on Fox Footy’s Super Saturday.

COLLINGWOOD’S FULL 2027 FIXTURE

Round 1: St Kilda at the MCG (Saturday March 20, 7.40pm)

Round 2: Brisbane Lions at the Gabba (Thursday March 25, 7.50pm)

Round 3: Fremantle at the MCG (Thursday April 1, 7.30pm)

Round 4: Sydney Swans at Adelaide Oval (Friday April 9, 7.40pm)

Round 5: Carlton at the MCG (Thursday April 15, 7.30pm)

Round 6: Essendon at the MCG (Sunday April 25, 3.15pm)

Round 7: West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium (Saturday May 1, 7.35pm)

Round 8: Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium (Friday May 7, 7.40pm)

Round 9: North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium (Sunday May 16, 6.10pm)

Round 10: Richmond at the MCG (Saturday May 22, 7.35pm)

Round 11: Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval (Saturday May 29, 7.35pm)

Round 12: Hawthorn at the MCG (Friday June 4, 7.40pm)

Round 13: Melbourne at the MCG (Monday June 14, 3.15pm)

Round 14: BYE

Round 15: Gold Coast Suns at People First Stadium (Saturday June 26, 7.35pm)

Round 16: GWS Giants at the MCG (Saturday July 3, 4.35pm)

Round 17: Brisbane Lions at the MCG

Round 18: Geelong at the MCG

Round 19: Essendon at the MCG

Round 20: Fremantle at Optus Stadium

Round 21: Carlton at the MCG

Round 22: Adelaide Crows at the MCG

Round 23: St Kilda at Marvel Stadium

Round 24: Richmond at the MCG