Fremantle’s 2016 Toyota AFL fixture is highlighted by a raft of marquee games at Domain Stadium, including a prime time Friday game plus four Saturday matches all under lights against opponents that include Geelong, Richmond and Essendon.
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After a round one away game against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium to kick off its season, Fremantle plays its first home game at Domain Stadium in 2016 on Saturday 2 April against Gold Coast in the annual Starlight Purple Haze Game.
The hype around the round two clash with the Suns will be the prospect of Freo’s newest recruit Harley Bennell taking on his former Gold Coast team mates, including Gary Ablett.
Fremantle’s Friday night game at Domain Stadium is against Geelong in round 17, while its Saturday night rivals at home include Richmond in round nine and Essendon in round 11. The annual Len Hall Game is scheduled for Anzac Day eve on Sunday 24 April in round five against Carlton.
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Fremantle’s fixture at Domain Stadium also includes three home games in a row - Sydney in round 19, West Coast in round 20, and Adelaide in round 21. The Crows’ game is followed by an away game against the GWS Giants in round 22 before Freo return home to play the Western Bulldogs in the last round of the season.
While the club will travel only once (round 22) in its last five games of the home and away season, Freo will play six of the top eight teams from 2015 in the first nine rounds of season 2016.
Fremantle CEO Steve Rosich said the club was pleased with elements of the 2016 fixture, including a slight reduction in the number of six-day breaks between games – down from seven in 2015 to five next season.
“We know that homes games at Domain Stadium against marquee opponents such as Sydney, Geelong, Richmond, Essendon West Coast and Carlton are always well received by our members and supporters,” Rosich said.
“Given that we achieved a membership record in excess of 51,500 members in 2015 and that all of our 11 home games at Domain Stadium were effectively sell outs, we are anticipating similar levels of interest in membership and the prospect of a record number of people attending home games in 2016.”
Rosich welcomed the AFL’s decision to introduce a week off between the end of the home and away season and the start of the 2016 finals series.
“We were both surprised and pleased to learn today that the AFL has instituted a bye between the home and away season and the start of the finals series,” he said.
“We support this new initiative and our football staff and players will be working hard to ensure that we are part of this AFL first by plaing finals in 2016."
The downside is the away game fixture, where Fremantle will play only four games in Melbourne, including just one visit to the MCG in round 14 for a Friday night clash with Collingwood, plus games at Etihad Stadium in round four against North Melbourne and St Kilda in round 10.
The AFL has also burdened Fremantle with one of its most demanding away game travel schedules in recent seasons, including games in Darwin (Melbourne, round 16); Launceston (Hawthorn, round eight); Brisbane (Lions, round 12); Gold Coast (Suns, round 18) and Sydney (GWS, round 22).
“While we are pleased that the AFL responded positively to our request for a reduction in the number of six-day breaks, we are very disappointed that we have been scheduled to play only four games in Melbourne and the affect of this is that we play four games across Queensland, Tasmania and the Northern Territory, Rosich said.
“Given that we have one of the most demanding travel schedules in the league, we believe the AFL has placed an unfair burden on the club by scheduling so many games in venues that require much longer flight times than Perth to Melbourne and return for example.
“Ultimately though, to get to where we want to as a club, we have to win wherever we are scheduled to play, and we look forward to the challenge that our away fixture presents.
“We also recognise that having only four games in Melbourne is unusual and, as such, the club has reduced the price of Melbourne membership packages accordingly.”
Fremantle’s membership and fan development manager Alana Bandy confirmed that Melbourne members who had already purchased their membership for 2016 would receive a partial refund.
“As we will only be playing four games in Melbourne in 2016 we have reduced the price of our Melbourne memberships,” Bandy said.
“Members who have already paid for their 2016 Melbourne memberships will receive an automatic refund. The amended prices for new members or members yet to renew will be available from Thursday.”
New prices are: Adult, $120; Concession, $95; Junior, $35; Family (2 adults & 2 children), $300.
Bandy said that in 2016 in addition to membership packages available to people in Queensland and South Australia, the club would also be offering memberships in NSW, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.
“Members receive a ticket to one game in their State or Territory plus all the benefits of being a Fremantle member,” she said.
