THE ROOS travel interstate six times in 2009 but don't leave Victoria until round 12.

They play 11 matches at Etihad Stadium, formerly Telstra Dome, and four at the MCG, and should look to capitalise on their Melbourne-weighted start to next season if they hope to be a major contender come the finals.

North Melbourne opens its season with two matches at the home of football, against Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs.

Then comes five straight home matches at Telstra Dome – four against some of Melbourne's biggest clubs – in what looms as a crucial period of their season.

In fact, eight of the Roos' nine matches between rounds three and 11 are at Etihad, giving them a great chance establish themselves in the top eight ahead of the halfway mark of the year.

North had its woes on the road in 2008 but won’t have to worry about boarding a flight until it takes on Adelaide at AAMI Stadium in round 12.

From there the Roos can leave their suitcases half-packed, given their busy schedule in the second half of the year.

Trips to the SCG (round 14), Aurora Stadium (round 15), the Gabba (round 17), Subiaco Oval (round 20) and AAMI Stadium again (round 22) make for a challenging run home.

Dean Laidley won't mind his draw against 2008's other top eight sides, with the Roos to square off twice against St Kilda, Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs – quality sides but ones they have a decent record against.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.