Fans will only have to wait until round 3 next year for the 2015 grand final rematch between Labrador and Morningside, one of the many highlights of the 2016 QAFL fixture released today.
While 79 of the 90 home and away games will be played at the traditional Saturday 2:00pm time slot, next years fixture also includes one Friday night game, eight Sunday games, and two Saturday twilight games.
Before Labrador can focus on their mouthwatering grand final rematch, they will have to contend with Wilston Grange in an opening round blockbuster.
The Tigers are on the road for the first two weeks, but will be happy to see that three of their last four games are at home.
The Gorillas have a huge opening fortnight, coming up against the Western Magpies in round 2 at Chelmer, who will be keen to get some revenge on the Wilston Grange outfit that knocked them out of the finals this year.
Sandgate are presented with a fantastic opportunity to get the ball rolling early in the year, with rounds 2-4 all being played at Lemke Road.
After the success of the previous two years, the Hawks and Wilston Grange will once again play each other on ANZAC Day eve, which falls on a Sunday night in 2016.
UQ may only run out onto Field 9 once in the first month, but have a great run home, with rounds 13 to 15 all being played at St Lucia.
After a 38-point win at home in round 1 this year, Palm Beach Currumbin will be hoping it’s the same story in 2016 when they take on the Red Lions at home.
Surfers Paradise could be early front-runners next year, with their first two games at Sir Bruce Small Oval, including the local derby against Broadbeach in round 2.
The Cats will start 2016 as 2015 ended when they take on Morningside in round 1, the team who beat them in the first elimination final this year.
It’ll be battle of the birds in round 1, when Mt Gravatt kick off their season against the Western Magpies at Dittmer Park.
The four-week finals series gets underway on August 27, with the grand final scheduled for September 17.
To view the full 2016 QAFL fixture, click here: 2016 QAFL Fixture
Also announced today was the fixture for the Alpha Sport Pre-Season Cup.
The Cup will consist of 32 teams from the QAFL, QFA North and QFA South, QAFA competitions.
The three-week knockout event, starting on Saturday March 5, will be played across South-East Queensland.
Teams have been selected based on 2015 results, and are split into four pools of eight teams each.
Each team will compete in their pool, with winners moving through to the next week of the competition, concluding with the grand final on March 19.
The Alpha Sport Pre-Season Cup will give teams an opportunity to play against rivals in their current competition, and other teams across different divisions.
To view the Alpha Sport Pre-Season Cup fixture, click here: 2016 Alpha Sports Preseason Cup Draw
Fixtures for the QWAFL, QFA and QAFA (A) competitions will be released in January, with the QAFA (B), Colts and QWAFA fixtures to follow.
By Andrew Wiles
Follow @andrewjwiles
