The next box to be ticked on the AFL's off-season to-do list is the 2011 draw.

So far, the league has kept its powder dry ahead of an expected announcement late next week, and here are a few items that BPL expects, and would like to see, when the fixture is released.

• Two grand final re-matches

It was never quite explained to the satisfaction of anyone why we had to wait 13 rounds into 2010 for Geelong and St Kilda to reprise their thrilling grand final from the year before. The AFL spin was something along the lines of ‘the longer the wait, the greater the anticipation' but that didn't wash.

It doesn't have to be in round one, but Collingwood and St Kilda have developed a great rivalry and they should meet in the opening month of the season, and again some time in the lead-up to the finals.

• Cats v Kangaroos - twice

There hasn't been so much intrigue between these two clubs since Doug Wade switched from Geelong to North under the 10-year rule (and taking heartbroken Geelong supporters with him for the ride). The first coaching match-up between the two Scott brothers will become a prime-time special on Channel Seven, presumably with a zany Neil Kearney type feature, in which he interviews, their mum, their mates, their teachers etc.

• Geelong v Essendon, early in the season

Once Mark Thompson makes his return to Essendon official, this becomes a marquee fixture. The two clubs have moved to defuse suggestions that they have been feuding, based on Brendan McCartney's confirmed defection and the strong likelihood that Thompson will follow, but the proof for this sort of thing is when they meet in a home-and-away match for the first time. We're predicting pyrotechnics.

• Gold Coast home opener

Actually, the Coasters will have two home openers. Their first game in the red shorts, is likely to be round two at the Gabba, while construction finishes at Carrara. Once it does at the end of May, they'll play their true home opener and they have requested a large-drawing Victorian based club as their opponent. Surely it will be Gary Ablett's old mob, the Cats. If not, then make it Campbell Brown's first outing against Hawthorn.

• Adelaide v Hawthorn, round one

A bit of mail suggests that Adelaide will mark the 20th anniversary of its first AFL game, in which it beat Hawthorn by 86 points, with another game against the Hawks. Let's hope this one is a bit closer.

* Round One

The AFL has a bit of thinking to do here. The Carlton-Richmond clashes that have opened the season since 2008 have contained plenty of drama - Chris Judd and Ben Cousins playing their first games for their new clubs - but the games themselves have been rubbish. Do they still deserve to kick-start the season? Is it time to give North Melbourne or the Western Bulldogs a blockbuster of their own?

• Friday night footy

Melbourne, North Melbourne and Richmond would appear to be on the up. Will that be reflected in more prime-time appearances? And who makes way for them? We'd like to see less St Kilda and less Essendon on Friday nights, but the Hird appeal in particular will mean the Dons will make plenty of appearances, even if they're no good.