PORT ADELAIDE will start its 2019 AFL season against the Demons at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The AFL has released the Round 1 fixture ahead of the full fixture release, which is expected in the coming days.

The Power will take on Melbourne at the “home of football” on Saturday 23 March at 1:45 AEDT.

Port boasts an aggregate 12-10 win/loss record in 22 round 1 matches in its AFL history, with seven wins and four losses at home and five wins and six losses away.

But the Power will fancy its chances in 2019 given it has beaten Melbourne in 20 of the sides’ 33 meetings.

The last and only time the sides have faced off in an opening round fixture was also at the MCG in Ken Hinkley’s first official match as coach of Port Adelaide in 2013.

On that day Jay Schulz booted four goals and Angus Monfries and Paul Stewart three each.

Brad Ebert had 30 disposals and Hamish Hartlett had 29 and two goals as the Power ran out 79-point winners.

It was Port Adelaide’s biggest win against Melbourne at the MCG, and second biggest winning margin against the Demons, behind only an 89-point drubbing at Football Park in Round 17, 2007.

The Power will be hoping for a repeat to kick-off its 2019 season.

Round 1 2019
Melbourne v Port Adelaide
MCG
Saturday 23 March 2019
1:45 AEDT

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