“Overall, we are pleased with the 2014 fixture,” Gunston said.
“It provides the club with some great opportunities from a football and commercial perspective and rewards our fans with a balanced mix of blockbuster games, interstate travel and free to air TV coverage.”
“We were the most watched club in season 2013 and we feel six Friday night and six Saturday night games, as well as fifteen guaranteed free-to-air TV games is fantastic recognition of the teams exciting brand of football and the strong support we receive across the country.”
Essendon will face traditional rivals Collingwood, Carlton and Richmond at the MCG across a number of new timeslots.
“It’s exciting to play Collingwood in our traditional ANZAC Day clash on a Friday afternoon in Round 6, our Round 11 game against Richmond will coincide with National Reconciliation Week and celebrate the ten-year anniversary of the Long Walk at the Dreamtime at the G’ game, and we’re looking forward to being part of Sunday night football against Carlton in Round 3, a game which falls on the first weekend of school holidays.”
The Bombers face a tough opening month of football, with games against last season’s grand finalists wedged either side of the Sunday night showdown against the Blues.
“There’s no bigger challenge for our first home game of the season than facing reigning premiers Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium in Round 2. It’s a challenge the club is certainly excited about and I’m confident the game will be a sell-out,” Gunston said.
“We then face the toughest road trip in the competition when we head to Perth to play Fremantle in Round 4.”
Essendon will play five interstate games in 2014. The Bombers will travel to Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, as well as two games in Sydney.
“We receive tremendous support from the Essendon family whenever we play interstate. Our passionate interstate members and supporters witnessed some incredible football last season, and I’m sure that will be the case again in 2014.”
“The club is happy to be heading back to Queensland for the first time since 2012 when we meet the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba in Round 8.
“In the back half of the season we play the Crows at the redeveloped Adelaide Oval in Round 16, and have two trips to Sydney to play the Giants in Round 12 and the Swans in Round 19.
“Overall the Club feels it has received a fair and reasonable draw and we look forward to kick-starting the 2014 campaign against the Kangaroos.”
