A SHOWCASE home game for Nick Riewoldt’s likely 300th match, a Saturday afternoon MCG clash with Collingwood to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1966 Premiership, an historic and inaugural Pride Match against the Swans and fewer Sunday twilight home games are key features of St Kilda’s improved 2016 fixture.

CEO Matt Finnis said the club’s improved on-field performance last season helped deliver a better fixture for the fans, team and club.

“This fixture is very good for the Saints from both football and fan perspectives and it gives us more opportunity to succeed on and off the field,” Finnis said. 

“It’s particularly exciting that our season gets off to a flying start with blockbuster home games in Round 2 against the Western Bulldogs and Round 3 against Collingwood.

“All going well, the Round 2 clash will serve both as a 300-game celebration for Nick Riewoldt and as the selected game to raise awareness and funds for Maddie Riewoldt's Vision (MRV).

“What a game this will be – a celebration of a club legend and the chance to educate people about the illness that so sadly claimed his sister’s life.

“The following week we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of our 1966 Premiership win against Collingwood with a Saturday afternoon clash at the MCG. I know a huge crowd will be there, including players from that historic win and hopefully we can record another one-point victory against the Pies.”

RELATED: 2016 fixture highlights

Finnis said the club was especially looking forward to showcasing the team in five big Saturday night clashes and that fans would welcome 11 exciting ‘home’ games including seven against Victorian opponents Collingwood, Essendon, Carlton, North Melbourne, Melbourne, the Western Bulldogs and Geelong.

“Saints fans will definitely be happy that we only have one Sunday twilight home game compared to four last season so that will also be a popular result. We are pleased the AFL has recognised that we did more than our fair share of heavy lifting on that front in 2015,” he said.

“From a pure football perspective, we welcome no back-to-back six-day breaks or interstate travel and think this fixture provides our young team with every opportunity to continue developing and hopefully win more games. 

“Our club loves playing in front of our big Tasmanian supporter base so the Launceston clash against the reigning premier will also be both a big challenge and a great opportunity.”

In an historic occasion, St Kilda will play the Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium in Round 21 in the inaugural AFL Pride game and Finnis said the club looked forward to announcing more details about the game in the near future.

“St Kilda is the right club to showcase this important Pride game because, like the suburb where we were born, we are a place where everyone is equal and truly welcome,” he said. 

As previously announced, St Kilda will not play a match in New Zealand but the club is in positive discussions about growing the game there and capitalising on the growing support for AFL in Auckland in particular.

Finnis said the club was disappointed at receiving no Friday night games and would be pushing hard to mount a strong case for the following season.

“We need our 2016 on-field performances to effectively bang down the door at the AFL and say ‘we deserve to be on the big stage on Friday night’,” he said.