The Swans' first match in the 2010 NAB Cup competition will be against Carlton at Blacktown Olympic Park, it was announced on Tuesday morning.
 
The round one clash is scheduled for Saturday, February 20 and will be broadcast nationally on Network Ten.
 
The pre-season competition will begin on Friday February 12 with four round one matches to be played on each of the opening two weekends, leading up to the grand final to be played on Saturday March 13.
 
“It is great to have another first class facility in Sydney which will allow us to play NAB Cup matches in the Greater Sydney Region", Swans Chief Executive Andrew Ireland said of the Blacktown stadium.

“Without a facility like this our club would have had to again play many of the NAB series matches away from home which is far from ideal.

“The opportunity for all our Sydney members and supporters to see our team take on Carlton at this time of the year is a real bonus and makes for an exciting start to the football season in 2010.”
 
“This will be the first time the home of Team GWS will host elite level football. This is a terrific way to bring the elite AFL competition to the greater West of Sydney,” said Dale Holmes, General Manager, AFL NSW/ACT.
 
“Hosting the NAB Cup at the Blacktown Olympic Park provides us with the opportunity to really showcase the venue at the highest level. The facility can accommodate up to 10,000 patrons and plans are now underway to deliver not only a great sporting event but a night of entertainment for the whole family.”
 
The pre-season fixture also features matches across the country with games to be played in Canberra and Launceston outside the traditional capital cities, while Regional Challenge matches will be taken to venues that don’t normally host AFL football. As part of the NAB Challenge, a match will be played in Yea in country Victoria to support those areas devastated by this year’s bushfires.