Fremantle have been scheduled to play four Saturday night games, two Saturday afternoon games and fewer Sunday games at home next year at Optus Stadium in the 2019 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.

The fixtures, which were released by the AFL on Thursday, include Saturday night clashes for the annual Len Hall Tribute Game against the Western Bulldogs in round six on 27 April and a home Western Derby in round 16 on 6 July.

Fremantle’s home games also feature clashes against big drawing Victorian clubs Richmond, Essendon, Geelong and Carlton at Optus Stadium.

The club has secured a reduction in Sunday home games, with only five Sunday matches in 2019 compared to seven in 2018 and a later and fan friendly start time for each of these games, set for 3.20pm.

Fremantle host Brisbane in round 10 for the Sig Doug Nicholls Round, with the AFL’s Indigenous celebrations extended to two rounds in 2019.

In addition to the two traditional Western Derbies, Fremantle have been scheduled to play another four clubs twice, Port Adelaide, Essendon, Western Bulldogs and St Kilda.

Of Fremantle’s 10 away trips, there are five to Melbourne, two to Adelaide and one each to the Gold Coast, Canberra and Launceston.

There are six 6-day breaks in Fremantle’s fixture, with no consecutive 6-day breaks between games and no 5-day breaks.

The club’s opening round game of the 2019 season, which was announced by the AFL at the weekend, is against North Melbourne at Optus Stadium on Sunday 24 March.

CEO Steve Rosich said the club was pleased with the overall shape of Fremantle’s fixture for the 2019 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.

“A key focus of our submission to the AFL for the 2019 fixture was that we be allocated an even spread of games in different time slots plus more night games at home at Optus Stadium,” Rosich said.

“As a result, we are delighted that we will play four home games under lights at Optus Stadium next season, including a Saturday night clash against the Western Bulldogs for our annual Len Hall Tribute Game plus an additional three night games and two afternoon matches in the Saturday timeslot as well.

“Our country members, in particular, will welcome the fact that we have been able to secure a reduction in Sunday home games at Optus Stadium, down from seven matches in 2018 to five at home in 2019.

“We are also confident all of our members and supporters will be excited by the prospect of home ground blockbuster clashes at Optus Stadium against big drawing Victorian clubs in Richmond, Essendon, Geelong and Carlton.

“From a football operations perspective, we have six 6-day breaks and three long-haul away games in Tasmania, Queensland and Canberra.

“One less 6-day break would have been more ideal but on balance this is countered by the fact that we have no five-day breaks and no back-to-back 6-day breaks.

“Overall we are really pleased with the outcome we were able to achieve via the AFL’s fixture submission process.”

Fremantle’s Fixture

Round 1 v North Melbourne, Sunday 24 March, Optus Stadium at 3.20pm

Round 2 v Gold Coast, Sunday 31 March, Metricon Stadium at 3.40pm

Round 3 v St Kilda, Sunday 7 April, Optus Stadium at 3.20pm

Round 4 v West Coast, Saturday 13 April, Optus Stadium at 6.10pm

Round 5 v GWS, Saturday 20 April, UNSW Canberra Oval at 1.45pm

Round 6 v Western Bulldogs, Saturday 27 April, Optus Stadium at 6.10pm

Round 7 v Adelaide Crows, Sunday 5 May, Adelaide Oval at 4.10pm

Round 8 v Richmond, Sunday 12 May, Optus Stadium at 3.20pm

Round 9 v Essendon, Saturday 18 May, Marvel Stadium at 7.25pm

Round 10 v Brisbane, Sunday 26 May, Optus Stadium at 3.20pm

Round 11 v Collingwood, Saturday 1 June, MCG at 1.45pm

Round 12 - Bye

Round 13 v Port Adelaide, Saturday 15 June, Optus Stadium at 2.35pm

Round 14 v Melbourne, Saturday 22 June, MCG at 1.45pm

Round 15 v Carlton, Sunday 30 June, Optus Stadium at 3.20pm

Round 16 v West Coast, Saturday 6 July, Optus Stadium at 6.10pm

Round 17 v Hawthorn, Saturday 13 July, University of Tasmania Stadium at 2.10pm

Round 18 v Sydney, Saturday 20 July, Optus Stadium at 6.10pm

Round 19 v Western Bulldogs, Sunday 28 July, Marvel Stadium at 1.10pm

Round 20 v Geelong, Saturday 3 August, Optus Stadium at 2.35pm

Round 21 v St Kilda, Sunday 11 August, Marvel Stadium at 1.10pm

Round 22 v Essendon, Saturday 17 August, Optus Stadium at 6.10pm

Round 23 v Port Adelaide TBC, Adelaide Oval