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A historic first game of football at Perth Stadium will highlight the 2018 NAB AFL Women’s regular season, with the full fixture released on Friday.
Fremantle will play Collingwood to open football at the world-class venue in round two on Saturday 10 February, a day that will also feature open training for the men’s team followed by a photo and signing session.
The hotly anticipated home opener is just one of four home games scheduled, with Freo to play the remaining three at Fremantle Oval against Melbourne in round three, GWS in round five and Carlton in round seven.
It's in! A game at @NewPerthStadium highlights the #AFLW fixture in 2018
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) October 26, 2017
>> https://t.co/lVepkyQlov #foreverfreo #AFLW pic.twitter.com/D4OU5xj92d
Round one will see a repeat of Freo’s 2017 season opener, taking on the Western Bulldogs at VU Whitten Oval on Sunday 4 February.
Freo will also head interstate in rounds four to Brisbane and six to TIO Stadium in Darwin to face Adelaide.
Entry is free to all AFLW games in 2018, however, entry into Fremantle’s Perth Stadium clash with Collingwood will require a $2 ticket, with proceeds going to charity.
Ticketing for the event on Saturday 10 February will be via Ticketmaster, with Fremantle’s more than 1500 AFLW members having priority access.
Senior coach Michelle Cowan said that the playing group is thrilled to be among the first football players to run out on the Perth Stadium turf.
“It’s very exciting, February 10 we take on Collingwood and looking forward to a great spectacle and one where we get a lot of members out to support us,” Cowan said.
“It’s an incredible facility for our fans and players. For the girls to be playing there, it’s a really exciting time.
"It will be a great experience for them, it’s a magnificent state-of-the-art facility and to be playing there is a big deal.”
Cowan said she was excited to see AFLW football returning to Fremantle’s heartland at Fremantle Oval.
“There’s four home games for us and three at Fremantle Oval,” Cowan said.
“Our home opener at Fremantle Oval last year was really special for us. We had over 10,000 people come along to our games there and no doubt our members will be strong once again in their support.
“We have the most members in the AFLW competition and I'm excited for them to have four home games.”
Cowan added that the fixture only adds to her side’s drive to be ready for round one.
“Round one is 100 days away today,” Cowan said.
“We’ve got to make sure that between now and then we prepare really well to be ready for our opener against the Bulldogs.
"We also look forward to taking on the reigning premiers Adelaide in Friday night footy in Darwin.
“It will be a great trip for the group to get up there and we’ve got some incredible members in Darwin so we know they’ll be out to support us there.”