SUMMARY
After two successful performances in practice matches, the Fremantle Dockers are finally kicking off their inaugural AFLW campaign, going up against the Western Bulldogs. The heavily favoured Bulldogs will pose as a test for Fremantle in their first AFLW clash, with many pundits predicting both sides as contenders for the top two at the end of the seven week home and away season. Fremantle will showcase the best from the west as they look to keep building momentum and take their first official AFLW victory away from home.

WHERE AND WHEN
VU Whitten Oval, Saturday 4 February, 7:40pm EDT

BROADCAST INFORMATION
Broadcast live nationally Channel 7 and Fox Footy

THE SIX POINTS

  1. Saturday’s match is the third official match scheduled for the opening round of the inaugural AFLW season, preceded by Carlton vs Collingwood and Adelaide vs Greater Western Sydney.
  2. For those who played in the exhibition matches in 2016, Saturday could be seen as a rematch. The Bulldogs defeated Western Australia by 13 points in an exhibition on 5 June 2016, and many members of Fremantle’s all-WA side are likely to seek redemption.
  3. Both teams have built some serious momentum going into Saturday’s match. Fremantle have won twice in practice matches against Adelaide in Darwin by 22 points and the WA State Talent Academy at Fremantle Oval by 109 points. The Bulldogs claimed a 10-point victory over Collingwood.
  4. AFLW fans who didn’t watch Fremantle or the Bulldogs in the pre-season will be able to catch several players who made the switch from other sports to AFLW. This includes Gemma Houghton (basketball) as well as Bulldogs players Laura Bailey and Brooke Lochland, whom both returned to Australia in 2014 after time on the international speed skating circuit.
  5. Bulldogs marquee player Katie Brennan has been described as one of the game’s most influential players, kicking more than 150 goals over three seasons in VFLW. Fremantle forward Amy Lavell will be competition for Brennan after Lavell finished the 2016 WAWFL season as leading goal kicker.
  6. Defensive pressure will be on the agenda for both teams as they try to keep each team’s respective key forwards at bay and keep the momentum going with a winning streak dating back to the pre-season matches.

IT’S A BIG WEEK FOR… AFLW. All eyes will be on everyone involved in the AFLW, players and coaches alike, as the very first weekend of women’s football kicks off.

HOW TO WATCH FREMANTLE'S UPCOMING AFLW GAMES
Round 1. Western Bulldogs v Fremantle, 4:40pm (WST) Saturday 4 February at VU Whitten Oval
Broadcast live nationally Channel 7mate and Fox Footy

Round 2. Fremantle v Brisbane, 4:05pm (WST) Sunday 12 February (WST) at Fremantle Oval
With free entry, there's every reason to get down to Fremantle Oval to support Freo in their first game at home!

AFLW ticketing information

AFLW fixture and broadcast information