With St Kilda returning to training over the weekend, the countdown to the 2018 season is on.

There is only 75 sleeps between now and the opening game of the season against Brisbane at Etihad Stadium.

Before then, the Saints will taste AFLX for the first time in the middle of February.

Less than two weeks later, St Kilda will face Carlton in the first of two JLT Community Series fixtures, before closing out their preparations with a hitout against Melbourne in early March.

Both games will be played at suburban grounds under lights, with the Saints returning to Ikon Park for the second year in succession and then Casey Fields against the Demons.

Key Dates before Round 1:

January 22 – 27

Pre-season Training Camp in Geelong

February 12 – 13

Community Camp on the Mornington Peninsula

Friday, February 16

AFLX at Etihad Stadium – five 20-minute games against Carlton, Essendon, Hawthorn, Melbourne and North Melbourne.

Wednesday, February 28

JLT Community Series Game 1 v Carlton at Ikon Park

Thursday, March 8

JLT Community Series Game 2 v Melbourne at Casey Fields

Friday, March 9

St Kilda Family Day

Saturday, March 24

Round 1 v Brisbane at Etihad Stadium