South Fremantle 2017 WAFL fixtures released

SOUTH Fremantle's 2017 McDonald's WAFL Premiership Season begins with a bang against Subiaco at Fremantle Community Bank Oval in a twilight Round 1 fixture.

The Bulldogs will take on a Lions team that has played in the past three WAFL grand finals on Saturday March 18 at Fremantle Community Bank Oval with the twilight bounce down time of 4.15pm.

South Fremantle is coming off a strong 2016 season where the Bulldogs made the finals for the first time since 2011, and went on to beat West Perth in a qualifying final before losing to the grand final teams Subiaco and Peel Thunder the next two weeks.

Now coming into 2017, South Fremantle has maintained the majority of its squad while welcoming back Jarrod Garlett and Jermaine Miller-Lewis from the AFL, and Cory Dell'Olio from his suspension in 2016.

The 2017 McDonald's WAFL Premiership Season fixture has now been released.

It includes some standout events for the Bulldogs with not only the Round 1 twilight blockbuster, but another 4.15pm clash at the port against West Perth in Round 4.

Then an Easter Saturday there is a clash with Claremont marking South Fremantle's first game at the redeveloped Claremont Oval.

A week later South Fremantle hosts East Fremantle in the now traditional Anzac Derby while the Sharks will host the Foundation Derby on WA Day on Monday June 5. The final derby of 2017 takes place in Round 20 at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

South Fremantle again takes on Claremont in the annual NAIDOC Round clash with the 2017 edition to be held at Claremont Oval on Saturday July 8.

Following a bye in Round 22, South Fremantle's season ends against reigning premiers Peel Thunder at Bendigo Bank Stadium.

The state game for 2017 will be against Victoria in Melbourne on Saturday May 27.

South Fremantle plays Claremont three times in 2017 along with East Fremantle, Peel Thunder and West Perth.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs face East Perth, Perth, Subiaco and Swan Districts twice each.

South Fremantle will take part in one broadcast game on Channel 7 and another two on 7mate.

The Channel 7 broadcast match is against Perth in Round 14 at Fremantle Community Bank Oval. The two on 7mate are against East Fremantle in Round 6 and Claremont in Round 16.

The 2017 season will feature 23 rounds, with 18 games and the finals series to be televised live on the Seven Network. More than 78 per cent of games have been scheduled in the traditional Saturday afternoon timeslot.

WA Football Commission chief executive Gavin Taylor said the 2017 fixture aimed to grow and enhance the WAFL competition by promoting competitive matches, supporting special feature rounds and offering prime-time television coverage.

"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 7 Network," Taylor said.

"The WAFL clubs do a terrific job with activities for fans and families at their games. The fans have a unique chance to get up close to the action, see some of WA’s best talent on display, listen to the coaches and enjoy a kick on the ground at the breaks."

Taylor also acknowledged WAFL broadcast partners AHG, Kennards, REIWA, McDonald’s and the Seven Network upon entering the third year of a partnership to broadcast WAFL games on free-to-air television.

In 2016, the total WAFL TV audience grew by 25 per cent to 875,074, which saw the competition ranked first for viewer growth out of all televised WA winter sports teams or competitions.

On average, 38,047 people tuned into each WAFL game on the Seven Network, which was a 20 per cent increase on the previous year’s average audience.

Taylor said it was also exciting that the Seven Network had confirmed Dennis Cometti would be involved with the WAFL as a special commentator in 2017.

"To have somebody of Dennis’ calibre involved with our premier state league, where it all began for him as a commentator, is terrific news for the competition," 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."

2017 WAFL Fixtures