Fremantle’s affiliate club Peel Thunder will kick off their WAFL flag defence on live TV, with a blockbuster clash scheduled under lights on Saturday 18 March against East Perth.

The Seven Network will broadcast the season opener, which features the reigning premiers taking on the Royals as the rivalry builds between the WAFL’s two affiliate sides.

It’s not the only clash between Peel and East Perth scheduled for live TV, with their round seven clash leading into the first Western Derby of 2017 also broadcast on the Seven network.

Thunder fans eager to see the premiership side back on Mandurah soil will have to wait for round two, with Peel’s home opener scheduled for Saturday 25 March against East Fremantle at Rushton Park.

Peel’s byes come in rounds six, 13 and 20, with an additional league-wide bye between rounds 10 and 11.

The Thunder’s round 13 bye coincides with Fremantle’s, ensuring the full squad will have at least a 14-day rest in the middle of the season.

Peel’s regular season wraps up on Saturday 26 August against South Fremantle at Rushton Park, a fixture that also coincides with the final round of the AFL home and away season.

In 2016, the total WAFL TV audience grew by 25% to 875,074. On average, 38,047 people tuned into each WAFL game on the Seven Network, which was a 20% increase on the previous year’s average audience.

WA Football Commission CEO Gavin Taylor said the 2017 fixture aimed to grow and enhance the WAFL competition.

“There were a significant number of variables considered in developing the fixture including fan feedback, club byes, feature rounds, achieving a home and away flow for each club, equalisation measures and maximising broadcast opportunities on the Seven Network,” Mr Taylor said.

“With the combination of a competitive fixture and the excellent coverage by the Seven Network and our other media partners, 2017 promises to be an exciting season which will continue to grow and enhance the WAFL competition and its clubs.”

The WAFC are conducting a survey for members of WA-based AFL clubs regarding attendance at WAFL games in 2017. To have your say and to go in the running to win a 2016 Fremantle Dockers team-signed guernsey, click here.

To view the 2017 WAFL fixture, click here.