Box Hill’s 2021 VFL fixture has been announced.

In what shapes as an exciting new era for state league football in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, the brown and gold will tackle 15 opponents across 16 home and away rounds, travel outside of Victoria to play for points for the first time since 2010 and square off against four teams for the first time in the Club’s history.

Select takeaways include Casey being the only team Sam Mitchell and his coaches will have to plan for twice – in rounds one and 14; back-to-back interstate matches in rounds nine and 10 against competition newcomers Sydney and Southport; first ever meetings with the Brisbane Lions and Aspley – both at home; a first clash against a standalone Carlton since 2002; and five of the first seven rounds of the season at home.

The Club will have three byes – rounds eight, 12 and 18 – and to date only rounds one and two of the 2021 season have a day and venue confirmed.

As there are more teams than fixtured rounds, there are six opponents Box Hill will not meet unless paired off come finals: Essendon, Footscray, Geelong, Gold Coast, GWS Giants and Williamstown.