The 2023 AFL season fixture has been released, with some blockbuster matches set to keep us entertained across the 24 round season.

'Gather Round' looms as the major addition on the footy calendar, with an extra round of football set to be played entirely in South Australia in April.

While each season has plenty of marquee matchups that are must see, including the traditional ANZAC Day clash and Dreamtime at the G game, the 2023 season will also feature plenty of games with their own storylines.

As the fixture drops for season 2023, we've had a look at some of the can't miss clashes set to entertain us next year.

North Melbourne vs Port Adelaide

Round 9, May 13, 2.10pm - Blundstone Arena

Jason Horne-Francis' first clash against hisย former team looms as one of the most anticipated clashes of the 2023 season. The 19-year-old was drafted by North Melbourne in 2020 with their prized No.1 pick, their first in the clubs history. Horne-Francis went on to play 17 games for the Kangaroos in his debut season before spectacularly requesting a trade back to South Australia at the conclusion of the season.

It's fair to say North fans weren't pleased with Horne-Francis' decision after spending just one year at the club, and now set to give him quite the frosty reception when they face off in Tasmania.

Port Adelaide recruit Jason Horne-Francis. Image via Port Adelaide Twitter

St Kilda vs Fremantleย 

Round 1, March 19, 4:40pm - Marvel Stadium

Round 1 gives Ross Lyon not only the opportunity to get off to a flying start with his new St Kilda side, but to claim the four points over his old club. Lyon returns to the Saints after a previous stint with the club from 2007-2011, when he coached the club to grand final appearances in both 2009 and 2010. The coach left the club in controversial circumstances at the conclusion of the 2011 season, heading west to take the role at Fremantle, before being welcomed back with open arms at Moorabbin in 2022.

The sacking of Brett Ratten just months after signing a new contract left a sour taste in the mouths of a few Saints fans, with the Round 1 match up giving their returning coach a chance to prove himself to the Saints faithful and his old mates in purple.

St Kilda has announced Ross Lyon is returning as senior coach (Image: St Kilda Football Club)

Geelong vs Sydney

Round 6, April 22, 7:25pm - GMHBA Stadium

The grand final rematch is always a highly anticipated event and 2023 should prove no different. Geelong smashed Sydney to the tune of 81-points in the season decider in 2022, leaving the Swans with plenty of soul searching to do over summer. The Cats head into the new year without veteran star Joel Selwood but with several additions in trade period, while the Swans had a rather quiet off-season, leaving fans with plenty to look forward to when these two meet again.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Callum Mills of the Swans looks dejected after a loss during the 2022 Toyota AFL Grand Final match between the Geelong Cats and the Sydney Swans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 24, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Fremantle vs Western Bulldogsย 

Round 6, April 21, 8.10pm - Optus Stadium

Rory Lobb dominated headlines in both the season and trade period as many speculated he was set to depart the Dockers and head to Victoria, with a deal finally being done that saw the ruckman sign with the Bulldogs. Lobb made no secret of his desire to leave Fremantle, nearly signing a deal in the 2021 trade period to return to GWS, but his move in 2022 was part of a series of dominoes that saw Luke Jackson join the club.

Lobb's return West in new colours is sure to excite, but the memory of Fremantle ending the Bulldogs' season early in 2022's elimination final means that these two meet, there is sure to be lots of feeling in the contest.

Western Bulldogs' Rory Lobb and Liam Jones during the 2023 AFL-preseason (Image: Western Bulldogs Twitter)

North Melbourne vs Hawthorn

Round 3, April 1, 1:45pm - University of Tasmania Stadium

These two rebuilding teams haven't exactly been headline acts in recent years, with the two clubs combining for a total of ten games won in the 2022 season. It will be an interesting watch when these two meet for the first time though, not just to see the emerging young talent the two clubs have on display, but to see the master and his protege go head-to-head for the first time. Sam Mitchell took the reins at Hawthorn following Alastair Clarkson's wildly successful tenure, coaching his first full season in 2022, while Clarkson was appointed senior coach at Arden Street in August.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 24: Alastair Clarkson and Sam Mitchell of the Hawks celebrate in the rooms after winning the round 14 AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Essendon Bombers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 24, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

North Melbourne vs Carltonย 

Round 4, April 7, 4:20pm - Marvel Stadium

On paper this clash may look like one between a potential finals contender and 2022's wooden spooners, but with Carlton given the nod to take on North on Good Friday, a new story will emerge in the contest. North have had their fair share of Good Friday partners, with both St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs pulled from the marquee slot, with perennial powerhouse Carlton given the opportunity to prove their worth under the lights at Marvel and add another big match to their season calendar. The clash also looms as the potential first on-field AFL meeting of McKay brothers Harry and Ben, though we won't hold our breath to see them both lineup under the lights of Marvel.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 08: Ben McKay of the Kangaroos runs with the ball during the round eight AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Collingwood Magpies at Marvel Stadium on May 08, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Carlton vs Collingwoodย 

Round 10, May 21, 3.20pm - MCG

The last meeting between these old foes has surely left many Carlton fans with sleepless nights and thoughts of what could have been, with the Pies' thrilling Round 23 win seeing the Blues fall out of finals contention.

Collingwood went on to make a preliminary final, while the Blues were forced to watch from the sidelines despite sitting inside the top eight for most of the season. These two have plenty of history and as two likely finals contenders next season, their Round 10 meeting sure to entertain.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 21: Zac Williams of the Blues (L) and Adam Saad of the Blues look dejected as Jordan De Goey of the Magpies and Nick Daicos of the Magpies celebrate on the final siren after winning the round 23 AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Collingwood Magpies at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 21, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Collingwood v Melbourne

Round 13, June 12, 3.20pm - MCG

Brodie Grundy's first meeting against his old Collingwood teammates is scheduled for the newly named King's Birthday clash at the MCG, giving the former Pie plenty of time to get used to his new colours.

Grundy's long-term deal at Collingwood saw expectations that he would be a Pie for life, only for the club to put him on the trade table at the conclusion of the 2022 season. The ruck battle will be one to watch between these two, with the Grundy-Max Gawn combo producing plenty of excitement in the lead-up to the season.

Melbourne's Brodie Grundy after being traded from Collingwood (Image: Melbourne FC Twitter)

Adelaide v Port Adelaideย 

Round 3, April 1, 7pm - Adelaide Oval

These two always know how to put on a show when the Showdown rolls around, and this year should be no different. Despite the two clubs being at different points in their journey to claim the premiership flag, there should still be plenty of spark between these two South Australian rivals.

Western Bulldogs vs Brisbane

Round 3, March 30, 7.20pm - Marvel Stadium

Another cracking contest set up among the walls of 2022's trade period as Josh Dunkley getting his wish to head north and join Brisbane. The Bulldogs were reluctant to say goodbye to their best and fairest winner, with the deal between the two clubs struck late on deadline day.

Dunkley's departure from the club is sure to be met with a frosty reception from Bulldogs fans when the Lions run out on Marvel Stadium in Round 3, with the two finals contenders given an opportunity to continue their off-field back-and-forth on the ground under primetime lights.

Max Gawn, Josh Dunkley and Aaron Naughton during the 2022 AFL Round 1 match between Melbourne and Western Bulldogs (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media)