The AFL broke new ground when the Western Bulldogs hosted North Melbourne on Good Friday this year and now the Canberra Demons will follow suit.
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The Demons will host the Southport Sharks on Good Friday in an historic NEAFL season opener at Margaret Donoghoe Oval in Queanbeyan on March 30, 2018.
The stand-alone fixture will serve as the lone game in round one, with all remaining clubs to begin their NEAFL campaigns the following weekend.
Demons general manager Shaun Young says the clash is a "huge boost" for the club as Canberra look to build on a promising season.
"We are thrilled to host the first ever NEAFL Good Friday match in 2018," Young said.
"The opportunity to play a standalone season opener against one of our competition rivals will be a big boost for our fans and supporters, in what is shaping as an important contest to begin our new season."
Southport football manager Jarrod Field says the fixture will be a "big challenge" for the Sharks but one he knows they are itching to be a part of.
"The Sharks are proud to be involved in a historic match for the NEAFL and kicking off our season against tough opposition on their home turf," Field said.
The full NEAFL fixture will be published on December 1.
