Plus, Geelong Falcons have crowned their best and fairests ... Picture: Martin Keep/AFL Photos/via Getty Images Perhaps the ...

Essendon are expected to meet the Suns on the Gold Coast in opening round before playing the emerging Hawks at the MCG in round one, a tough start to the season.

The AFL has denied it's cashing in on the fiery Hawthorn-Ken Hinkley rivalry, despite placing them head to head in next year's Gather Round fixture.