St Kilda will finalise its preparations for the 2017 season by facing Port Adelaide, Carlton and Sydney in the rebadged AFL pre-season competition – the JLT Community Series – in late February and early March next year.
The summer competition will commence on February 16 with a Thursday night fixture featuring arch rivals Collingwood and Essendon at Etihad Stadium.
The Saints won’t play in the first week of the four-week format, but will play across the final three weeks starting with a Thursday night clash against the Power at Etihad Stadium on February 23.
A number of suburban Melbourne venues will host matches across the competition, with North Melbourne’s headquarters Arden Street and the Western Bulldogs’ Whitten Oval included in the program.
St Kilda will also be exposed to a ground from yesteryear when the Saints face Carlton at Ikon Park in the third week on Saturday March 4.
Before Alan Richardson’s side faces Melbourne in the opening round of the season proper, the Saints will travel up to Albury to round out their preparations with a clash against 2016 grand finalists Sydney at the Lavington Sports Ground.
St Kilda’s JLT Community Series Fixtures
Thursday, February 23
St Kilda v Port Adelaide
Etihad Stadium at 7.40pm
Saturday, March 4
St Kilda v Carlton
Ikon Park at 2.05pm
Sunday, March 12
St Kilda v Sydney
Lavington Sports Ground at 7.10pm
