St Kilda will finalise its preparations for the 2018 season with two hitouts against Melbourne rivals, after the AFL announced the JLT Community Series fixture on Thursday morning.

The Saints will face Carlton at Ikon Park on Wednesday, February 27, before meeting Melbourne at Casey Fields on Thursday, March 8, with both games under lights.

The AFL has reduced the number of pre-season fixtures from three games to two ahead of the potential introduction of AFLX.

All 18 clubs will have a bye during one of the two opening weekends, but each team will be in action in the final round from March 7-11.

Alan Richardson’s men defeated the Blues in the corresponding JLT Community Series clash last year, before winning the only clash between the two sides during the home and away season.

Melbourne ended a 14-game losing streak against St Kilda when they won the highly anticipated season opener, before adding a second victory in Round 21.

St Kilda’s first to fourth-year players will return for pre-season on November 8, with the remainder of the list reporting for duty two weeks later.

JLT Community Series Fixture:

St Kilda v Carlton at Ikon Park on Wednesday, February 27 at 7pm

St Kilda v Melbourne at Casey Fields on Thursday, March 8 at 7pm

All 18 games will be broadcast on Fox Footy and available via the AFL Live app.