FREMANTLE and West Coast have been fixtured to play a Carlton Mid Derby at Patersons Stadium in a stand-alone Saturday night game on the first weekend of the 2013 AFL season.

Footy's fiercest rivals will battle it out in front of a packed house and a massive national television audience just 24 hours after the season gets underway when Adelaide host Essendon at AAMI Stadium on Friday, March 22.

The following weekend Richmond and Carlton will do battle in their now-traditional Thursday night contest at the MCG.

And the monster round one will come to an end when Geelong and Hawthorn meet at the 'G on Easter Monday.

"Scheduling opening round over two weeks enables us to showcase the start of the season on Friday and Saturday night in SA and WA in week one and then schedule the remainder of the matches over Easter in the second week, which will maximise exposure opportunities for the commencement of 2013 Toyota AFL Premiership Season," the League's general manager broadcasting, scheduling and legal affairs, Simon Lethlean told AFL.com.au.

If Adelaide or Essendon qualify for the NAB Cup Grand Final, the pre-season decider will be held on Friday, March 15 to ensure both clubs have a seven-day break before they kick-off the premiership season.

If the Crows and Bombers don't qualify, the NAB Cup Grand Final will be held on Saturday, March 16.

The full 2013 premiership season fixture will be released later this month.

ROUND 1, 2013: AS REVEALED SO FAR
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
Monday, April 1: Geelong v Hawthorn at the MCG

Follow Adam McNicol on Twitter: @AFL_AdamMcNicol