A Saturday night Len Hall Tribute Game on the eve of Anzac Day against North Melbourne highlights Fremantle’s opening six games of the 2021 Toyota Premiership Season.
The AFL announced the full fixture for the opening six rounds of the season on Monday, as well as each club’s opponents for rounds seven to 23.
It means Fremantle’s double up opponents have been revealed, playing Brisbane, West Coast, Carlton, Hawthorn and Sydney twice.
As well as the 6.10pm clash against North Melbourne on Saturday 24 April, Fremantle also have home games locked in against GWS in round two on Sunday 28 March at 3.10pm and against Hawthorn in round four on Sunday 11 April at 2.40pm.
After an ‘away’ RAC Derby against West Coast in round seven, Fremantle will also play at Optus Stadium against Brisbane in round eight, Sydney in round 10, Western Bulldogs in round 12, Gold Coast in round 13, before blockbuster clashes against Carlton in round 16, Geelong in round 18 and Richmond in round 20.
A mouth-watering home RAC Derby looms in round 22 as Fremantle’s final home game of the season.
As revealed by the AFL on Saturday, Fremantle will open the season away from home against Melbourne on Saturday 20 March at the MCG.
Away trips to Carlton in round three on Easter Sunday at Marvel Stadium and Adelaide in round five on Sunday 18 April at Adelaide Oval are also locked in.
Fremantle will also play away games against Essendon in round nine at Marvel Stadium, Port Adelaide in round 11 at Adelaide Oval, Collingwood in round 15 at Marvel Stadium, Hawthorn in round 17 at University of Tasmania Stadium, Sydney in round 19 at the SCG and Brisbane in round 21 at The Gabba and St Kilda in round 23 at Marvel Stadium.
Freo have a bye in round 14 following back-to-back games at Optus Stadium.
In total, there are 10 interstate trips, including five to Melbourne, two to Adelaide, one to Sydney, one to Brisbane and one to Launceston.
Fremantle CEO Simon Garlick said it was a fair fixture that gave the Club an opportunity to lock in some big games for its members and supporters.
“We are very excited to look ahead to the 2021 season and have our first six games locked in,” Garlick said.
“Our annual Len Hall Tribute Game against North Melbourne is a clear stand out from our opening block of fixtures. We’re excited this year’s game falls on the eve of Anzac Day and we can’t wait to once again see our players, members and supporters do justice to the occasion.
“As a result of our request to the AFL to play our annual Len Hall Tribute Game that weekend, we will once again travel in round one and play our first home game in round two against GWS on Sunday 28 March.
“While we have two Sunday afternoon games at home in rounds two and four, the floating fixture between rounds seven and 23 means we have the opportunity to secure some prime-time time slots for our remaining games at Optus Stadium later in the season.
“We are especially excited about having the chance to host the reigning premiers Richmond in round 20 as well as the likes of Carlton, Geelong, Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium.
“We are pleased for our players and staff that having back-to-back home games in rounds 12 and 13 before the bye in round 14, means players will be able to enjoy a three-week break without travel mid-season.
“As expected, our fixture does pose some challenges with 10 interstate trips. However, as our players and football department showed in 2020, I am confident we will put ourselves in a position to play our best football in any scenario, whether that be at home or away.”
