A round one RAC Derby headlines Fremantle’s 2023 NAB AFL Women’s campaign, with the Fremantle Oval blockbuster to open the season on Sunday 3 September.
The game is one of five Fremantle will play at their home ground, also taking on Hawthorn in round three, North Melbourne in round six, St Kilda in round eight and Sydney in round 10.
Fremantle will head to Victoria for all five of their away games. They will take on Collingwood in round two at Victoria Park, Essendon at Windy Hill in round four, Richmond in round five at IKON Park, Geelong in round seven at GMHBA Stadium and Melbourne in round nine at Casey Fields.
The season is packed with a number of firsts for the Club, including the first AFLW clash with Essendon.
It will be the first time Fremantle have played at Windy Hill in either the AFLW or AFL, and the clashes with Sydney and St Kilda will be their first ever games at Fremantle Oval.
The draw sees Fremantle take on the Season 7 premiers Melbourne, as well as finalists Richmond, Geelong, Collingwood and North Melbourne.
Fremantle finished 12th in Season 7, and will face five teams that also did not qualify for finals in Essendon (10th), St Kilda (13th), Hawthorn (15th), West Coast (16th) and Sydney (18th).
Fremantle CEO Simon Garlick said the Club was pleased to have the 2023 AFLW season in its sights.
“It’s always an exciting time when the fixture is revealed, the season is just under two months away and our AFLW pre-season is in full swing,” Garlick said.
“The RAC Derby is always a big occasion and to take on our local rivals in round one will only add to it.
“We are eight seasons into the AFL Women’s competition, and we are still making history. As such we look forward to taking on Essendon for the first ever Fremantle Dockers game played at Windy Hill, as well as seeing Sydney and St Kilda play at Fremantle Oval for the first time.
“All five of our home games are at Fremantle Oval, and we can’t wait to see the Purple Army flooding the streets of Freo and taking in the atmosphere at the famous ground.”
Head of AFLW Bob Murphy also welcomed the fixture and said Fremantle would look to have an extended stay in Melbourne between rounds four and five.
“It’s great for our players to have certainty around the fixture as they continue to work hard on their pre-season preparations,” Murphy said.
“As well as our five home games at Fremantle Oval, we have consistency with five away games in Victoria.
“To reduce our travel load, we are planning to stay in Melbourne between rounds four and five for our clashes with Essendon and Richmond.
“We have played some of our best football in our previous extended stays away from home, in what has also been embraced as a bonding experience by our players. We have no doubt that will remain the case when we head interstate this year.”
