The AFL has announced the fixture for the 2013 AFL season with Essendon to play in the season opener against Adelaide on Friday March 22.

Essendon will take on St. Kilda in round four in a contest set to be full of emotion with the signing of Brendon Goddard to the Bombers during the off-season.

A few days after that round four clash with the Saints the Bombers will get ready to tackle Collingwood in the annual ANZAC Day blockbuster.

Essendon will also play Carlton on June 7 to commemorate the 140th anniversary of the club's first match, which was against the Blues on that date in 1873.

The Dons travel interstate five times throughout the season include two trips to Western Australia. 

During 2013 Essendon will play GWS, West Coast, Carlton, Collingwood and Richmond twice with nine of the last ten games to be played in Victoria.

Again the 'Dreamtime at the G clash with Richmond will be the showpiece game of the Indigenous-themed round nine.

The Bombers are scheduled to meet only two of the 2012 finalists twice - against Collingwood and West Coast.

Click here to view the Bombers 2013 fixture.