The AFL’s scheduling of the annual Len Hall Game on Anzac Day for the eighth time since its inception in 1996 allows Fremantle to build on the tradition that has developed around one of the club’s marquee Subiaco Oval games.
Fremantle kicks off its season at home against Adelaide at Subiaco Oval on Sunday 28 March in the annual Starlight Purple Haze Game.
In the first half of the season, in addition to the away Derby against West Coast (round 6), Fremantle plays home games at Subiaco Oval against Geelong (round 3); Richmond (round 5, Len Hall Game); Collingwood (round 8) and North Melbourne (round 10).
A string of blockbuster home games is also scheduled for the second half of the season, including St Kilda (round 12); West Coast (round 18, home Derby); Sydney (round 20) and Carlton (round 22).
“There are a range of issues that you examine each year when the fixtures are released but our members and supporters can look forward to quality encounters at home against some of the AFL’s heavyweights in season 2010,” Fremantle chief executive officer Steve Rosich said today.
“A Friday night blockbuster against Collingwood will undoubtedly prove a great spectacle and provide tremendous opportunity to showcase our club.
“The scheduling of the Len Hall Game on Anzac Day under lights at Subiaco Oval is a great way to commemorate and recognise the Anzac spirit. It is now a marquee game for us and also allows the club to build on the tradition associated with what has become an annual highlight of our home fixtures.”
Although Fremantle does not have to travel to Skilled Stadium to play Geelong, as has been the case for the past three seasons, three of the club’s away games include Brisbane at the Gabba (round 7), Sydney at the SCG (round 9) and Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium, Tasmania (round 21).
In addition to the 12 games it plays at Subiaco Oval, Fremantle is also scheduled to play six matches at Etihad Stadium in 2010.
“The 2010 fixture does present some challenges to our coaching team and the playing group, most notably the scheduling of six games at Etihad Stadium,” Rosich said.
“But it also means that we can set ourselves for playing at the one venue in Melbourne in 2010 as opposed to a range of venues, including Skilled Stadium and the MCG.
“Having said that it is disappointing that we are not scheduled to play at the MCG in 2010 after twice playing there in 2009.
“It was part of our fixture submission to play 50 per cent of our Melbourne games at the MCG.
“We have advised the AFL of our disappointment and we understand that this outcome is a result of not playing MCG tenants Collingwood and Melbourne in away games.”
Fremantle is scheduled to play its first 2010 NAB Cup game against Melbourne at Subiaco Oval on Sunday 21 February at 5.40pm.
The winner of that encounter will play the winner of the round 1 clash between Geelong and North Melbourne on Sunday 28 February at Etihad Stadium.
Fremantle’s 2010 fixtures
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