The Cats not only get to return to their fortress at GMHBA Stadium, but play three straight home games to finish the season - against the Giants, St Kilda and Melbourne. Geelong will also host Essendon on its own dunghill for the first time in 28 years. The Cats have nine games at GMHBA and six at the MCG. They leave the state just five times, including a clash in Hobart against North Melbourne. Geelong plays North twice, as do the Bulldogs. The Blues leave Melbourne once for the first 10 rounds - a trip to the Gold Coast - and only five interstate games, including two in Sydney and one in Adelaide.