Swans to face GWS in Easter Saturday opener
The Sydney Swans will launch their premiership defence with a round 1 match away to GWS at ANZ Stadium
The Sydney Swans' premiership defence will begin with a round 1 clash against cross-town rival GWS on Easter Saturday night next year.
The Swans will be the away team when the two sides clash at ANZ Stadium on the second weekend of a split round 1.
The AFL confirmed earlier this week that the round 1 meeting between the Swans and GWS would be the first of two Sydney Derbies scheduled for 2013.
Given the first-up away fixture, it's been reported the Swans will likely have a round 2 unfurling of the 2012 premiership flag ahead of a home match at the SCG.
The Swans will host Geelong on Friday night at the SCG in round 4, before traveling across to Westpac Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand to face St Kilda in an ANZAC Day clash on Thursday, April 25.
The Swans other known fixtures at this point are against Hawthorn at the MCG in round 7, Carlton on Friday night at the SCG in round 14, and another Grand Final rematch against the Hawks in round 23 at ANZ Stadium.
The AFL will release the full fixture at the end of October.
ROUND 1, 2013
Friday, March 22
Adelaide v Essendon at AAMI Stadium
Saturday, March 23
Fremantle v West Coast at Patersons Stadium
Thursday, March 28
Carlton v Richmond at the MCG
Saturday, March 30
Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium
Gold Coast v St Kilda at Metricon Stadium
Greater Western Sydney v Sydney Swans at ANZ Stadium
Sunday, March 31
Melbourne v Port Adelaide at the MCG
North Melbourne v Collingwood at Etihad Stadium
Monday, April 1
Hawthorn v Geelong at the MCG
