Melbourne Knights will usher in a new era in the National Premier League with a blockbuster season opener against Northcote City under lights on March 14.
The Knights will likely unveil boom recruit Antun Kovacic, a former player with the club during its NSL years.
The central defender has since played in the A-League with the Melbourne Victory and Newcastle Jets and represented South Korean club Ulsan Hyundai in the Asian Champions League.
The inaugural NPL season will be launched in a Thursday night showcase between powerhouses Heidelberg United and South Melbourne.
The opening round is to be spread over four days with the Green Gully Cavaliers against Werribee City at Green Gully Reserve on Saturday afternoon.
The season will finish mid-September with the Victoria champion to contest the nationwide NPL finals, from September 20 to October 5.
In the NPL1 fixture released last week, Saturday afternoon games dominate the schedule for district clubs St Albans Saints and Sunshine George Cross.
The Saints first face Springvale White Eagles, while the Georgies will have hosting rights against Brunswick City.
The state leagues season will start two weeks later, on March 28.
Westgate will start the state league 1 campaign with a standalone Friday night fixture against Fawkner Blues at Ardeer Reserve.
Western Suburbs faces Altona East Phoenix, Sydenham Park versus Preston, Keilor Park visits Moreland City and Cairnlea plays Sunbury United.
