A Thursday night rematch of the 2017 grand final will launch the AFL's Easter holiday round with reigning premier Richmond being sent to Adelaide for the Tigers' first away game of 2018.

And St Kilda will play Good Friday football for the first time, replacing the Western Bulldogs as North Melbourne's opponent.

The Crows and Tigers meet again early in 2018. Credit:AAP

The Kangaroos will host the twilight clash at Etihad Stadium on Good Friday, rewarded for the resources they dedicated to this year's historic game. As mooted by Fairfax Media last week, the Saints put forward a new request to play on the previously football-free religious holiday and have been successful.

The Crows, who open their season on Friday, March 23, against Essendon at Etihad Stadium, requested an opponent with a large supporter base for their first Adelaide Oval clash after opening last season with a home game against Greater Western Sydney.