Melbourne’s high-stakes 2020 AFL season will begin with an imposing trip to Perth to face a West Coast side bolstered by the acquisition of Tim Kelly.

The AFL has confirmed the round-one fixture for next season, with the Eagles and Demons set to cap off the weekend in a Sunday twilight clash at Optus Stadium.

No team will be under greater scrutiny than the Dees after they went from being preliminary-finalists in 2018 to finishing 17th on the ladder this year.

The Eagles loom as a major threat next season with Kelly bolstering an already potent midfield led by Luke Shuey, Elliot Yeo, Andrew Gaff and Nic Naitanui.

Premiers Richmond will again launch the season against Carlton in a Thursday night clash likely to attract more than 90,000 fans to the MCG.

Expectations are high for the Blues after they showed strong improvement in the second half of last season under David Teague.

Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs will face off on the Friday night at Marvel Stadium.

Essendon host Fremantle at the same venue on Saturday afternoon, Adelaide host Sydney and Gold Coast take on Port Adelaide at Metricon Stadium.

It was confirmed earlier in the week that GWS will host a Saturday night double-header against Geelong in both AFL and AFLW at Giants Stadium.

North Melbourne and St Kilda open proceedings on Sunday before Hawthorn host Brisbane in one of just two MCG games for the opening round.

AFL ROUND 1 2020 FIXTURE (all times AEDT)

* THURSDAY, March 19

Richmond v Carlton at MCG, 7.25pm

FRIDAY, March 20

Western Bulldogs v Collingwood at Marvel Stadium, 7.50pm

SATURDAY, March 21

Essendon v Fremantle at Marvel Stadium, 1.45pm

Adelaide v Sydney at Adelaide Oval, 4.35pm

GWS v Geelong at Giants Stadium, 7.25pm

Gold Coast v Port Adelaide at Metricon Stadium, 7.25pm

SUNDAY, March 22

North Melbourne v St Kilda at Marvel Stadium, 1.10pm

Hawthorn v Brisbane at MCG, 3.20pm

West Coast v Melbourne at Optus Stadium, 6.20pm