Champion Data ranks the difficulty of each side's 2017 draw

With the opening round of the 2017 AFL season just two weeks away now, we've decided to break down each side's draw and check in with our old friends at Champion Data to see how tough they rate each club's fixture list. Starting with the club with the easiest draw in the competition, here are all 18 clubs and how their fixtures rate against the other sides. North Melbourne [caption id="attachment_9299" align="alignnone" width="640"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 30: Trent Dumont of the Kangaroos celebrates a goal during the 2016 AFL Round 19 match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the St Kilda Saints at Etihad Stadium on July 30, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Who they play twice: Western Bulldogs, St Kilda, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Fremantle Why it's difficult: The Roos have the easiest schedule in the entire league according to Champion Data, but they still have a tough start to the season playing West Coast, Geelong, GWS and the Bulldogs over the first four rounds. Why it's easy: North host three games in Tasmania and finish the season with games against St Kilda and Brisbane, as well as facing only the Western Bulldogs twice from last season's final top eight. Richmond [caption id="attachment_9953" align="alignnone" width="640"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 24: Dustin Martin of the Tigers calls for the ball during the round 18 AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Richmond Tigers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 24, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)[/caption] Who they play twice: GWS, St Kilda, Carlton, Fremantle, Brisbane Lions Why it's difficult: The Tigers must face Geelong, Hawthorn and GWS in the final few rounds of the season, which could see their season end prematurely. Why it's easy: Richmond play just one top eight side twice in 2017 (GWS), and play just one top eight side (West Coast) in the opening five rounds, which allows the Tigers a chance at a strong start. Carlton [caption id="attachment_10149" align="alignnone" width="640"] GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 09: Marc Murphy leads the Blues out for the start of the round three AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Carlton Blues at Metricon Stadium on April 9, 2016 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)[/caption] Who they play twice: Richmond, Melbourne, Essendon, Gold Coast, Sydney Why it's difficult: Like the Tigers, the Blues have a tough stretch of games to end the season, facing Geelong, Essendon, West Coast, Hawthorn and Sydney in the final five rounds. Why it's easy: Carlton don't play their first top eight side from 2016 until they meet Sydney at the MCG in round six. Port Adelaide [caption id="attachment_9036" align="alignnone" width="640"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 20: Travis Boak of the Power celebrates after kicking a goal during the round 22 AFL match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval on August 20, 2016 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images)[/caption] Who they play twice: GWS, St Kilda, Carlton, Fremantle, Brisbane Why it's difficult: Games against Sydney, Fremantle, Adelaide and GWS see the Power open the season with a tough month, and a trip to China in round 14 is still an unknown. Why it's easy: The Power play 12 games at Adelaide Oval, which should help Ken Hinkley's men a great deal in their quest for a finals berth. Essendon [caption id="attachment_9943" align="alignnone" width="640"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 16: Jobe Watson of the Bombers laughs during the AFL 2017 JLT Community Series match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Essendon Bombers at Etihad Stadium on February 16, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Who they play twice: Brisbane, Carlton, Adelaide, Collingwood, Fremantle Why it's difficult: The Bombers face a tough period following the ANZAC Day clash, with a five-day break before hosting Melbourne, travelling to Fremantle and playing Geelong in consecutive weeks. Why it's easy: If the returning Bombers can put themselves in final contention towards the end of the season, then they'll consider themselves a chance as they play just one top eight side (Adelaide) in the final month. Adelaide [caption id="attachment_9583" align="alignnone" width="640"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 14: Mitch McGovern and Tom Lynch of the Crows celebrates a goal during the 2016 AFL Round 21 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Adelaide Crows at Domain Stadium on August 14, 2016 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Who they play twice: Hawthorn, Port Adelaide, Essendon, Melbourne, Geelong Why it's difficult: Adelaide open and close with tough opponents in 2017, with matches against GWS and Hawthorn in the first two weeks of the season, before a match against Sydney and a trip to West Coast in the final fortnight. Why it's easy: Despite playing two tough sides to start the season, the Crows then only play one (North Melbourne) in the next eight rounds. Gold Coast [caption id="attachment_10062" align="alignnone" width="640"] MACKAY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 26: Ben Ainsworth (R) of the Suns celebrates kicking a goal during the JLT Community Series AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Essendon Bombers at Harrup Park Country Club on February 26, 2017 in Mackay, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)[/caption] Who they play twice: Brisbane, Hawthorn, Carlton, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide Why it's difficult: A home game in China may not benefit them in their finals push, while matches against GWS, Hawthorn and Adelaide in the first five weeks could determine their season early. Why it's easy: The Suns finish the season with their final five games against sides that missed out of the finals in 2016 (Richmond, Fremantle, Brisbane, Essendon, Port Adelaide). Brisbane [caption id="attachment_10128" align="alignnone" width="640"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 17: Josh Schache of the Lions celebrates kicking a goal during the 2016 AFL Round 17 match between the Brisbane Lions and the GWS Giants at The Gabba on July 17, 2016 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Media)[/caption] Who they play twice: Gold Coast, Essendon, Richmond, Western Bulldogs, Port Adelaide Why it's difficult: Brisbane's pre-bye rounds are quite tough, as they face the Dogs, Power, Swans, Crows, Hawks and Pies before their week off in round 11. Why it's easy: The Lions have a soft draw to start the season, facing Gold Coast, Essendon, St Kilda and Richmond in their opening month. West Coast [caption id="attachment_9368" align="alignnone" width="640"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 19: Jack Darling of the Eagles celebrates a goal during the round 22 AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Hawthorn Hawks at Domain Stadium on August 19, 2016 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)[/caption] Who they play twice: Western Bulldogs, GWS, St Kilda, Port Adelaide, Fremantle Why it's difficult: The Eagles play two of the best sides from the previous season twice (Dogs, Giants), and only play at the MCG twice in the home and away season (Tigers, Hawks), which doesn't benefit them for finals experience. Why it's easy: Like the Dockers, West Coast play 12 matches at Subiaco and just have five six-day breaks. Sydney [caption id="attachment_10144" align="alignnone" width="640"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 31: Callum Mills of the Swans handpasses the ball during the 2016 AFL Round 19 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Sydney Swans at Domain Stadium on July 31, 2016 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Who they play twice: Western Bulldogs, GWS, Hawthorn, St Kilda, Carlton Why it's difficult: Last year's beaten grand finalists play the Dogs, Giants and Hawks twice, while eight Friday night matches and two Thursday games makes for some short breaks in between. Why it's easy: For the first time in a long time, Sydney will play all 11 home games at the SCG, and zero at ANZ Stadium, as well as their schedule being light after the bye rounds. Melbourne [caption id="attachment_9657" align="alignnone" width="640"] The Demons celebrate a goal during the round nine AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Brisbane Lions at Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 22, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia.[/caption] Who they play twice: Adelaide, North Melbourne, St Kilda, Collingwood, Carlton Why it's difficult: The Dees take two home games to Darwin in 2017 (Gold Coast, Adelaide), and selling games in the past have proven costly for some finals-like sides (just ask Richmond). Why it's easy: The Demons travel interstate for away games just four times in 2017, and play four games at Etihad all season. Collingwood [caption id="attachment_9898" align="alignnone" width="640"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 16: Jamie Elliott of the Magpies celebrates his first goal back from injury with teammates during the AFL 2017 JLT Community Series match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Essendon Bombers at Etihad Stadium on February 16, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Who they play twice: Essendon, Geelong, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide, Melbourne Why it's difficult: The Pies face the five best teams of last season (Dogs, Swans, Cats, Giants and Hawks) all inside the opening nine rounds in 2017. Why it's easy: Collingwood need to travel just five times throughout the regular season, and stay in Melbourne for the majority of their matches after the bye. Geelong [caption id="attachment_9679" align="alignnone" width="640"] GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 30: Mitch Duncan of the Cats celebrates a goal during the round six AFL match between the Geelong Cats and the Gold Coast Suns at Simonds Stadium on April 30, 2016 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)[/caption] Who they play twice: Fremantle, Hawthorn, Collingwood, Adelaide, GWS Why it's difficult: The Cats play just seven games at Simonds Stadium this season as the club tries to finish it's redevelopment ahead of 2018. Why it's easy: Geelong end the season with their final five games in Victoria, and host their two toughest opponents in that period (Swans, Giants) at Simonds Stadium. Fremantle [caption id="attachment_9748" align="alignnone" width="640"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 17: Nat Fyfe of the Dockers handballs to Lachie Neale during the Round 4 AFL match between North Melbourne v Fremantle at Etihad Stadium on April 17, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)[/caption] Who they play twice: Geelong, North Melbourne, West Coast, Essendon, Richmond Why it's difficult: Early matches against Geelong, Port Adelaide, Western Bulldogs and Melbourne will see just how far the Dockers have come in the off-season. Why it's easy: The Dockers play 12 matches at Subiaco and have just four six-day breaks during the season, which is massive news for one of the clubs that travel the most. Western Bulldogs [caption id="attachment_10297" align="alignnone" width="640"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 01: Tory Dickson of the Bulldogs is congratulated by Lachie Hunter after kicking a goal during the 2016 AFL Grand Final match between the Sydney Swans and the Western Bulldogs at Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 1, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] Who they play twice: Sydney, North Melbourne, Brisbane, GWS, West Coast Why it's difficult: The Dogs travel the most of any Melbourne-based side in 2017, with seven trips interstate, as well as a home game in Cairns and a trip to Ballarat. Why it's easy: The reigning premiers love the limelight and they've been well backed by the AFL, with seven Friday night matches and one Thursday game rewarding their 2016 season. St Kilda [caption id="attachment_9800" align="alignnone" width="640"] MELBOURNE, VICTORIA - JUNE 12: Luke Dunstan of the Saints is tackled by Matthew Wright of the Blues during the round 12 AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Carlton Blues at Etihad Stadium on June 12, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Who they play twice: Sydney, West Coast, North Melbourne, Melbourne, Richmond Why it's difficult: The Saints play Geelong, Hawthorn, GWS, Sydney and the Western Bulldogs between rounds 5-10, before travelling to Adelaide in round 12 after their bye. Why it's easy: The Saints play a whopping 14 games at Etihad Stadium this season as they look to finally climb up into the eight. GWS [caption id="attachment_9330" align="alignnone" width="640"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 06: Shane Mumford hand passes during a Greater Western Sydney Giants AFL training session at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre on September 6, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption] Who they play twice: Sydney, Western Bulldogs, Richmond, West Coast, Geelong Why it's difficult: Like the Eagles, the Giants have just one game at the MCG all season (against Richmond), meaning they'll have little experience on the big stage come finals time. Why it's easy: Three Friday night and three Saturday night matches are what the Giants deserve after a massive 2016 season, and a soft pre-bye period (Pies, Tigers, Eagles, Bombers, Blues) could hold them in good stead for a strong finish. Hawthorn [caption id="attachment_10199" align="alignnone" width="640"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 05: Jarryd Roughead of the Hawks celebrates winning the AFL 2nd Qualifying Final match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Geelong Cats at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 5, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] Who they play twice: Adelaide, Geelong, Collingwood, Sydney, Gold Coast Why it's difficult: The Hawks play three finallists from 2016 twice (Adelaide, Geelong and Sydney), while a round 23 clash with the Dogs could have huge implications. Why it's easy: They start their season with eight of their opening nine matches at either the MCG or in Launceston.

Champion Data ranks the difficulty of each side’s 2017 draw

Melbourne

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

Latest News

AFL Tribunal: Young Giant to miss Round 7

AFL injuries: Geelong provide update on important forward, Roos youngster available

AFL fumbles: Small moments can become big problems

Top 2027 prospect Tasmania should look at

Elijah Hollands’ brother, father send heartfelt messages

FOLLOW US

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	SYD	6	5	1	20	173.3
2	FRE	6	5	1	20	142.7
3	HAW	6	5	1	20	118.2
4	GC	6	4	2	16	126.9
5	NMFC	6	4	2	16	120.8
6	GEEL	6	4	2	16	116.1
7	WB	6	4	2	16	102
8	MELB	6	4	2	16	94.2
9	BL	6	3	3	12	111.7
10	ADEL	6	3	3	12	105.3