The Fremantle Dockers have been scheduled to play a string of blockbuster home games in the first Toyota AFL Premiership Season at Perth Stadium against big drawing clubs, including clashes with Collingwood, Carlton, Hawthorn, St Kilda, the Western Bulldogs and Adelaide.

Confirmation of Fremantle’s fixture today by the AFL follows last week’s announcement by the league that the club will play four of its first six games at home at Perth Stadium in 2018, including a blockbuster round two clash with Essendon at the stadium on Saturday 31 March, Freo’s first ever home derby at the new venue in round six on Sunday 29 April and an historic “away” game against the Gold Coast Suns in round three on Saturday 7 April.

The bonus round three encounter with the Suns at Perth Stadium means Fremantle will play a total of 13 games at home in 2018.

It will also be first time either Fremantle or West Coast have played an “away” game at home against an interstate side for premiership points in an AFL season.

The blockbuster home games against big drawing opponents at Perth Stadium in 2018 include the Western Bulldogs under lights in the round five Len Hall Game on Saturday 21 April, St Kilda in round eight on Saturday 12 May, Adelaide in round 12 on Sunday 10 June, Hawthorn in round 19 on Sunday 29 July, Carlton in round 21 on Sunday 12 August and Collingwood in round 23 in the final qualifying home game (date TBC).

The club is also scheduled to play home games at Perth Stadium against North Melbourne in round 10 on Sunday 27 May, Brisbane in round 15 on Sunday 1 July and Port Adelaide in round 17 on Sunday 15 July.

Fremantle take on Port Adelaide in the club’s round one season opener at Adelaide Oval on Saturday 24 March.

Freo’s away game schedule is headed by a round seven clash with 2017 Premiers Richmond at the MCG, Collingwood at the MCG in round 11, Carlton at Etihad Stadium in round 13, Essendon at Etihad Stadium in round 18 and Geelong at the newly rebadged GMHBA Stadium in round 22.

The club’s away fixture also includes trips to Canberra, in what could be former GWS Giant Nathan Wilson’s first game against his old club in round four at UNSW Canberra Oval, and to Sydney to play the Swans at the SCG in round nine.

While Fremantle have to travel to Darwin in round 17 to play Melbourne at TIO Stadium, the club has avoided additional long-haul trips to either Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Hobart or Launceston.

The only top six team from 2017 that Fremantle plays twice in 2018 is West Coast in round six (home) and round 20 on Sunday 5 August (away).

In terms of six-day breaks, Fremantle have five, including one after an away game and three against teams also coming off six day breaks.

2018 fixture summary