West Coast have been rewarded for their stunning improvement under Daisy Pearce with a bumper opening-night fixture against Gold Coast to start the AFLW season.
The fixtures for the new AFLW season were released on Friday morning after a delay, before the season’s launch in the middle of August.
And the Eagles will use Leederville Oval to launch their season, against the Suns on August 14, after the success of last year’s western derby at the venue.
That game will be played immediately after the season-opener between Carlton and Collingwood, which opens the 10th anniversary season as a nod to the competition’s first-ever game.
Pearce’s Eagles then head to Windy Hill to take on Essendon in their second game of the season and will stay in Melbourne to take on St Kilda the following week, before they return to their Mineral Resources Park base to host Port Adelaide.
It is Fremantle’s turn to host the derby at Fremantle Oval on September 14, which is a Sunday evening.
The Dockers will also feature in a showpiece clash with Carlton at Ikon Park on the eve of the AFL grand final, one of four games across Melbourne on Victoria’s public holiday.
Lisa Webb’s side will then stay in Melbourne to play a Thursday night primetime clash with Hawthorn the following week.
The double-ups in Victoria is a significant win for both West Australian clubs and will be a significant reduction in their travel.
More to come.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/fremantle-dockers/aflw-fixtures-west-coast-eagles-and-fremantle-dockers-schedule-revealed-for-aflw-season–c-18864807
