Reigning premiers Richmond are locked in for two Friday night blockbusters at the MCG, with the AFL unveiling the schedule for Rounds 7 and 8.
The Tigers will face fellow premiership fancies the Western Bulldogs, before their grand-final rematch with Geelong in the second of back-to-back prime-time games at their home fortress.
Richmond were victorious in both games against Geelong in the Queensland hub last year, and the teams last played each other at the MCG in the 2019 preliminary final, which the Tigers won by 19 points.
After six-straight Thursday night games to kick-start the season, the AFL has reverted to a traditional Friday night match to open the weekend.
All match-ups have been locked in for the season, but the AFL will operate on a rolling fixture to deal with COVID-19 complications and to ensure big games are slotted in the best timeslots.
"A flexible fixturing approach has provided us with an opportunity to optimise our scheduling of primetime slots in each round," AFL broadcasting manager Travis Auld said.
"The clubs featured in the next block have been strongly influenced by their form in the early part of the season."
The AFL will release the schedule for Rounds 9 and 10 in two weeks.
Round 8
Friday, April 30
Richmond vs. Western Bulldogs, MCG
Saturday, May 1
Collingwood vs. Gold Coast Suns, MCG
Adelaide vs. GWS Giants, Adelaide Oval
St Kilda vs. Hawthorn, Marvel Stadium
Sydney Swans vs. Geelong Cats, SCG
Brisbane Lions vs. Port Adelaide, Gabba
Sunday, May 2
North Melbourne vs. Melbourne, Blundstone Arena
Essendon vs. Carlton, MCG
West Coast Eagles vs. Fremantle, Optus Stadium
Round 8
Friday, May 7
Richmond vs. Geelong Cats, MCG
Saturday, May 8
GWS Giants vs. Essendon, GIANTS Stadium
Gold Coast Suns vs. St Kilda, Metricon Stadium
North Melbourne vs. Collingwood, Marvel Stadium
Melbourne vs. Sydney Swans, MCG
Port Adelaide vs. Adelaide, Adelaide Oval
Sunday, May 9
Hawthorn vs. West Coast, MCG
Western Bulldogs vs. Carlton, Marvel Stadium
Fremantle vs. Brisbane Lions, Optus Stadium