Manuka Oval is set to host an AFL season opener for the first time in the ground's history when the GWS Giants kickstart their campaign in Canberra next year.
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Fairfax Media understands the AFL is on the verge of finalising Canberra as a round-one venue for the Giants' clash against rivals the Western Bulldogs on March 25.
The marquee event will be the first of three premiership fixtures in the capital while Collingwood will play in Canberra for the first time in 17 years in a pre-season game.
The start of the AFL season will coincide with the Sydney Royal Easter Show, which prevents the Giants from using their Homebush base from March 23 to April 3.
It's believed the schedule clash opened the door for Canberra to swoop on a round-one game as part of the ACT government's 10-year deal with the Giants.
The Giants have lost just one of their past nine games in Canberra and will renew their rivalry with the Bulldogs on a Sunday afternoon to start the season.
The remaining two fixtures to be played at Manuka Oval will be finalised in the coming days and GWS chief executive flagged the prospect of trying to lure Hawthorn to the capital.
The Giants have already started negotiations with the government to extend a 10-year, $23 million partnership beyond the end of 2021.
The future of Manuka Oval will likely play a big role in a new deal and a Canberra bid for a Big Bash League cricket licence could pave the way for significant upgrades at the venue.
Details of the Big Bash plans could emerge in the coming weeks, but it is likely cricket and AFL could partner in plans to improve Manuka Oval and increase its capacity.
The Giants have built a solid base in Canberra and have attracted sell-out crowds to three of their past four games in the city.
Landing Collingwood as a pre-season opponent for a Thursday-night game on March 1 will be a massive boost and the AFLW is expected to confirm Manuka Oval as a venue on friday for a GWS game.
"It's been 17 years since Collingwood played in the ACT and we have no doubt their large supporter base will enjoy coming to [Manuka] Oval," Matthews said
"We've had a number of sell-out crowds at [Manuka] Oval in recent years and this match will be another big occasion in the nation's capital."
The Bulldogs have become regular visitors to Canberra in recent years, playing eight games at Manuka Oval since 2008.
Four of those have been against the Giants, but the GWS side is keen to expand its support in the capital by luring new sides to the city.
The Giants have hosted eight of the AFL's 18 clubs at Manuka Oval since striking a deal to play three premiership games and one pre-season fixture in Canberra until 2021.
The remaining two fixtures for 2018 will be finalised in the coming days, but the game against the Bulldogs will be the perfect way to kickstart the season with a rivarly battle.
The Bulldogs knocked the Giants out of premiership contention in a preliminary final last year and tempers flared this season when Toby Greene escaped suspension after a 'foot in the face' incident.
The round-one game will set up a blockbuster two weeks in Canberra, with the ACT Brumbies and Canberra Raiders to play their first home games on March 17-18.
AFL PRE-SEASON
March 1: GWS Giants v Collingwood at Manuka Oval, 7.10pm.
AFL ROUND ONE
March 25: GWS Giants v Western Bulldogs at Manuka Oval, time TBA.
