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.

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.

A high pressure system south of the Bight continues to move eastwards to be centred over the Tasman Sea Saturday morning. A trough of low pressure moves across the SA waters over the weekend. Another ...