The format for the opening three rounds of the 2013 competition, which includes the six groups of three teams for round one, is the same as the one introduced in 2011.
The AFL said round 1 had been split across two weekends to ensure that all six match-ups of three teams were played in twilight / night conditions in the late summer period, for the opening shortened games.
All clubs will then play two full-scale matches across the weekends of 1-3 March and 8-9 March, with the leading two teams to contest the NAB Cup Grand Final on either 15 March or 16 March.
Freo’s second round fixture will be against Mick Malthouse’s Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Saturday 2 March at 7.40pm (EST).
The club’s third round contest will be played against the Western Bulldogs in Northam, which is about 100 kilometres north-east of Perth in the Avon Valley.
The game begins at 3.30pm on Saturday 9 March.
2013 NAB Cup Fixture
The shortened matches in round one will again comprise two 20-minute halves (approximately) across a three-hour window for the three matches. All matches across the three rounds (two shortened games and two full games) will count equally for four points and percentage.
"The shortened format enables clubs to use their senior players as they see fit for the opening to the season, as well as offering the flexibility to provide opportunities for new players and rookies that is such a key feature of the NAB Cup,” AFL general manager broadcasting, scheduling and legal affairs Simon Lethlean said.
"As we introduced for the 2012 competition, we have now fixtured each club's matches for both rounds two and three of the NAB Cup, so clubs are aware of their travel schedule and can fully plan their preparation and training workload as they build up to the start of the premiership season.
Fox Footy will exclusively cover all of the round 1 matches of the NAB Cup live, six matches live in round two and five matches live in round three, while the NAB Cup Grand Final would be broadcast live by both Fox Footy and the Seven Network.
