THE Fitzroy guernsey may have a significant resurgence next season with the Brisbane Lions planning to wear the traditional Lions' uniform at an unprecedented seven games in Victoria in 2009.

The Brisbane Lions have not only ditched their unpopular white clash jumper but have voted at board level to adopt only two jumpers — their home strip and the away Fitzroy strip, which the club plans to wear permanently in Melbourne and at Skilled Stadium.

AFL executive Gillon McLachlan said the decision contravened the league ruling that every club required a third, or clash strip. The Brisbane Lions' view is that the Fitzroy jumper clashes with none of their scheduled Victorian opponents next season.

The extra Melbourne games have come about partly at the expense of Carrara from where Brisbane has been excluded next season.

With Carlton, Richmond and St Kilda respectively scheduled to replace the three North Melbourne home games on the Gold Coast in 2009, those Melbourne-based clubs have all snubbed the Lions as a potential opponent, unwilling to give away any small home advantage.

As a result the Lions are expected to contest a record four away games at the MCG, two at Telstra Dome and one at Geelong. Carlton will take on Fremantle at the first Gold Coast game next season, with St Kilda expected to play Adelaide and Richmond likely to take on Melbourne.

The AFL appears bullish regarding Carlton's prospects, having scheduled the Blues six Friday night games along with the Thursday night season-opener against Richmond at the MCG.

The good news for the Demons is that they have been dealt significantly fewer Sunday games next season, although they will, in turn, sacrifice free-to-air games in exchange for avoiding the Sunday afternoon clashes they claim cost them in terms of attendances. Melbourne will also host one Friday night game.

The Kangaroos have been handed 10 Sunday games but have received a fillip in the form of an Anzac Day clash with Richmond at Telstra Dome following Collingwood versus Essendon.

Because Anzac Day falls on a Saturday next year four games in total — the other two contested outside Victoria — will take place on the public holiday.

Hawthorn will host three Melbourne derbies and a ground-breaking twilight match in Tasmania next season. The AFL premier looks set to play regular-competition matches at Launceston's Aurora Stadium against North Melbourne, St Kilda, West Coast and Brisbane after a pre-season NAB Cup match against Richmond.

It is understood that the Hawks will also host a twilight fixture for the first time at Aurora Stadium. The Hawks would not comment yesterday on fixture speculation but said it would be keen to see an increase in matches against Victorian and Melbourne-linked teams in Tasmania.

With LAUNCESTON EXAMINER