The Tigers will face fellow premiership fancies the Western Bulldogs, before their grand-final rematch with Geelong in the second of back-to-back prime-time games at their home fortress.

Richmond were victorious in both games against Geelong in the Queensland hub last year, and the teams last played each other at the MCG in the 2019 preliminary final, which the Tigers won by 19 points.

After six-straight Thursday night games to kick-start the season, the AFL has reverted to a traditional Friday night match to open the weekend.

All match-ups have been locked in for the season, but the AFL will operate on a rolling fixture to deal with COVID-19 complications and to ensure big games are slotted in the best timeslots.

"A flexible fixturing approach has provided us with an opportunity to optimise our scheduling of primetime slots in each round," AFL broadcasting manager Travis Auld said.

"The clubs featured in the next block have been strongly influenced by their form in the early part of the season."

The AFL will release the schedule for rounds nine and 10 in two weeks.

Round Seven

Friday, April 30

Richmond v Western Bulldogs, MCG

Saturday, May 1

Collingwood v Gold Coast Suns, MCG

Adelaide v GWS Giants, Adelaide Oval

St Kilda v Hawthorn, Marvel Stadium

Sydney Swans v Geelong Cats, SCG

Brisbane Lions v Port Adelaide, Gabba

Sunday, May 2

North Melbourne v Melbourne, Blundstone Arena

Essendon v Carlton, MCG

West Coast Eagles v Fremantle, Optus Stadium

Round Eight

Friday, May 7

Richmond v Geelong Cats, MCG

Saturday, May 8

GWS Giants v Essendon, GIANTS Stadium

Gold Coast Suns v St Kilda, Metricon Stadium

North Melbourne v Collingwood, Marvel Stadium

Melbourne v Sydney Swans, MCG

Port Adelaide v Adelaide, Adelaide Oval

Sunday, May 9

Hawthorn v West Coast, MCG

Western Bulldogs v Carlton, Marvel Stadium

Fremantle v Brisbane Lions, Optus Stadium

Australian Associated Press