Essendon will play six home games during the day and five at night in season 2003 - a much better balanced draw than this season, according to Essendon chief executive Peter Jackson. Essendon supporters made it clear that nine night home games in 2002 were just too many, particularly for families. The AFL released the official 2003 fixture today with the Bombers to kick off the season against the reigning Premiers the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Saturday, 29th March.

""We are pleased that we are playing five night home games and six day home games. We played nine night home games this season and our supporters, particularly families, made it very clear to us that it was too many. We needed a draw that catered for all our supporters and 2003 provides us with a far better balance,"" Jackson said. ""The 2002 draw affected our membership and therefore had a significant impact financially. We lobbied the AFL on behalf of our supporters and I'm sure they will be satisfied with the result. We now need our supporters to vote with their feet, become members and send a very clear message to the AFL.""

Essendon will host the blockbuster against Collingwood on Anzac Day at the MCG and also face the Sydney Swans at Stadium Australia again. The Bombers will travel interstate four times in 2003 and only make the road trip to Perth once to play Fremantle in Round 6. The team will still play 12 night games this season, however only five are home games. ""We are still playing 12 night games in total this season so the broadcasters obviously see us as an important part of the mix,"" Jackson said.

Essendon's 2003 Fixture::

Round 1 - Saturday, 29th March (night) v Brisbane Lions (Gabba) - Away
Round 2 - Saturday, 5th April v Melbourne (MCG) - Home
Round 3 - Friday, 11th April (night) v Carlton (MCG) - Home
Round 4 - Saturday, 19th April (night) v Western Bulldogs (The Dome) - Away
Round 5 - Friday, 25th April v Collingwood (MCG) - Home
Round 6 - Sunday, 4th May v Fremantle (Subiaco) - Away
Round 7 - Saturday, 10th May v Richmond (MCG) - Away
Round 8 - Friday, 16th May (night) v Hawthorn (MCG) - Away
Round 9 - Friday, 23rd May (night) v Port Adelaide (The Dome) - Home
Round 10 - Sunday, 1st June v West Coast (The Dome) - Home
Round 11 - Saturday, 7th June (night) v Sydney (Stadium Australia) - Away
Round 12 - Saturday, 13th June (night) v Kangaroos (The Dome) - Home
Round 13 - Friday, 27th June (night) v Geelong (The Dome) - Home
Round 14 - Friday, 4th July (night) v St.Kilda (The Dome) - Away
Round 15 - Friday, 11th July (night) v Adelaide (AAMI Stadium) - Away
Round 16 - Saturday, 19th July (night) v Brisbane Lions (The Dome) - Home
Round 17 - Saturday, 26th July v Melbourne (MCG) - Away
Round 18 - Saturday, 2nd August v Carlton (MCG) - Away
Round 19 - Sunday, 10th August v Western Bulldogs (The Dome) - Home
Round 20 - Sunday, 17th August v Richmond (MCG) - Home
Round 21 - Saturday, 23rd August v Fremantle (The Dome) - Home
Round 22 - Friday, 29th August (night) v Collingwood (MCG) - Away