Victorian-based fans will get to see the Brisbane Lions play live six times throughout the 2014 AFL Premiership season – an improvement on the five from last season.

The Lions will face North Melbourne, the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, and Richmond and Collingwood at the MCG, before closing out the season with a tough road trip to Geelong for the second consecutive year.

When it was revealed last week that the Lions would be playing away matches against Hawthorn in Tasmania and St Kilda in New Zealand, members were understandably concerned that the Club might once again be short-changed in Victoria.

However, the match in Wellington essentially replaced any travel to Sydney, which meant the Lions were able to maintain the six games.

Lions CEO Malcolm Holmes said the Club lobbied hard to ensure that Victorian members got the best possible result – particularly considering the unfavourable 2013 draw.  

“We’re pleased to see an increase in our Victorian matches from five last year to six in 2014,” Holmes said.

“These matches are critical for our Club in maintaining a strong Victorian-based of supporters, which is made up primarily of the old Fitzroy faithful.”

The schedule was far from perfect however, with Victorian-based fans forced to wait until Round 9 before being able to watch their team live for the first time in the regular season.

As a small consolation, they will get to be the first to see the Lions take to the field for the first time under new Senior Coach Justin Leppitsch in the Club’s first NAB Challenge match at Etihad Stadium on Thursday 13 February.

“Obviously we would have preferred a better spread of games down there, but at least there’s an opportunity to for our fans to see the team during the pre-season,” Holmes said.

“We’re also starting to plan a range of events in Victoria, which we hope will give fans a chance to get even more involved.”