A string of games against crowd pulling Victorian teams at Domain Stadium are highlights of Fremantle’s 2017 fixture, in what will be the club’s final season at Subiaco.
2017 will mark the first time since 2002 that Collingwood, Geelong, Hawthorn, Richmond, Carlton and Essendon have all played in front of the Freo faithful in the same season, a year that also saw the home side win all six of those games.
In other marquee games at Domain Stadium, Fremantle host North Melbourne in the annual Len Hall Tribute Game under lights on Saturday 22 April, and West Coast in the Carlton Draught Derby in round 17 on Sunday 16 July.
The club’s final home and away fixture at Domain Stadium is slated for round 22 against Richmond on Sunday 20 August.
The club welcomed a reduction in six-day breaks and less long-haul travel after travelling to Launceston, Darwin and Queensland (twice) in 2016.
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CEO Steve Rosich described Fremantle’s 2017 fixture as “very positive for both our members and players”.
“Our members will eagerly anticipate the home games we’ve been scheduled to play at Domain Stadium against all the big drawing Victorian clubs,” Rosich said.
“From that perspective it’s probably one of the best fixtures we’ve ever had by being scheduled to play all the big Victorian clubs at home in the one season at Domain Stadium.
“Our players will also be buoyed by the AFL scheduling us to have only four six-day breaks in 2017 compared to recent seasons when we’ve had five or six.
“We also avoid having to travel for away games in the Northern Territory, Tasmania or the ACT. It’s also the first time since 2011 that we have not had to travel to Darwin or Launceston.
“Hats off to Travis Auld and his team at the AFL for acknowledging our concerns about six-day breaks and long-haul travel.”
