Adelaide and Essendon will meet in the opening match of the 2013 AFL season on March 22, the league confirmed on Monday.

The Crows will host the Bombers in a Friday night match to kick off a round one split across two weekends.

Fremantle and West Coast will meet in a derby on March 23, while Richmond and Carlton will do battle a few days later in their now-traditional Thursday night contest at the MCG.

The full 2013 draw is expected to be released later this month.