The April 1 fixture is a rare MCG home game for the Marvel Stadium-based Saints,in a clear indication the club is aiming for a crowd well in excess of 50,000.
There is some poignancy that it will be played before the Shane Warne Stand,named afterthe cricket great who was one of the Saints’ most famous and ardent fans. The Saints will wear a commemorative guernsey for the game.
There will be plenty of interest early in the season on the Saints,who sensationallydumped Brett Ratten as coach in favour of the man who led them within a whisker of flags in 2009-10 in Ross Lyon.
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Saints chief Simon Lethlean said the club would “honour our past while embracing our future” in their landmark season.
“In our 150th year,we’re looking forward to celebrating the contributions of everyone,not only our players,but all those who have helped make this club what it is today,” Lethlean said.
“Over the past century and a half we have fielded some of the greatest and most iconic players to ever take the field and have created a community of dedicated and unwavering fans who make the club a truly special place.