The AFL has today released the dates and times for rounds 7 and 8 of the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.

Both of Fremantle’s games will be at Optus Stadium, with the round 7 match an away RAC Derby against the West Coast Eagles and the round 8 match a home game against the Brisbane Lions.

Round 7

West Coast v Fremantle RAC Derby

Optus Stadium

Sunday 2 May, 2.40pm

Round 8

Fremantle v Brisbane Lions

Optus Stadium

Sunday 9 May, 2.40pm

AFL Executive General Manager Broadcasting and Clubs Travis Auld said the rolling fixture provided flexibility in the scheduling of matches as the AFL continues to release timeslots in smaller blocks, having regard to the ongoing Covid uncertainty.

“We are off to a fantastic start to the 2021 season, so many storylines are starting to play out and so many more are yet to be written,” Mr Auld said.

“A flexible fixturing approach has provided us with an opportunity to optimise our scheduling of primetime slots in each round. The clubs featured in the next block have been strongly influenced by their form in the early part of the season.”

AFL Head of Broadcasting and Scheduling Marcus King said the confirmation of dates and times of the fixture in smaller blocks will continue for the short term, as the league tries to balance providing certainty for fans and clubs.

“As a community we are still navigating through the effects of the Covid pandemic and releasing dates and times of matches in smaller blocks helps to provide certainty for fans wanting to attend matches,” Mr King said.

“The dates and times were formulated having regard to current government advice and border restrictions and we believe we have been able to deliver an attractive fixture for fans both in venue and watching around the country.”

The AFL will aim to release rounds 9 and 10 post round 5.