The GIANTS will open their 2021 campaign at GIANTS Stadium against St Kilda.

The clash to be held on Sunday, March 21 will begin at 3.20pm and will be shown nationally on the Seven Network.

After the 2020 season saw heavy restrictions on fans being able to attend games, the season opener is the perfect opportunity for GIANTS members to get a first-hand look at the team after a big summer on the training track.

It’s a tough test for the GIANTS first up, with St Kilda coming off a finals appearance which saw them defeat the Bulldogs in the first weekend before going down to eventual Premier Richmond in the semi-final.

It could be the first appearance for a number of new faces in both jumpers with Jesse Hogan (Fremantle) and Braydon Preuss (Melbourne) crossing to the GIANTS while Brad Crouch (Adelaide), Jack Higgins (Richmond) and James Frawley (Hawthorn) joining the Saints.

The GIANTS will also be hoping a number of draftees are pushing for a debut following a strong Draft earlier this month.

It’ll be the first time the Saints have played at GIANTS stadium since 2018 - a venue they have never won at.

The season officially opens on Thursday, March 18 with Carlton and Richmond meeting in the traditional slot before Collingwood and the Bulldogs meet the following night.

Saturday will see four big games including Melbourne hosting Fremantle, Adelaide taking on Geelong, traditional rivals Essendon and Hawthorn going head to head as well as Brisbane and Sydney clashing.

Sunday sees North Melbourne host Port in the early game with the Eagles and Gold Coast rounding out the opening weekend in Perth.

The rest of the 2021 AFL fixture will be released in the coming days.