The inaugural women’s western derby at Optus Stadium this summer will receive national free-to-air television exposure, with a chance for the AFLW crowd record to be eclipsed.

While men’s derby clashes have long been restricted to pay-TV audiences around the nation, the historic match between the Fremantle and West Coast AFLW outfits will be telecast live around Australia by Channel 7.

The round two game will be played at 4.10pm on Saturday, February 15. It has been designated as a home fixture for the Eagles, meaning the Dockers will play five of their eight regular-season games in Perth.

West Coast will get four home games and have to travel interstate four times. The Eagles, making their debut in the competition, will play their first game for competition points against Collingwood at Victoria Park on Sunday, February 9.

Entering their fourth season in the league, the Dockers will begin their campaign at home, when they host Geelong at Fremantle Oval later the same day.

While they have been weakened by the defection of players to West Coast, including star midfielder Dana Hooker, Fremantle have been provided with a tremendous platform with their first three games in Perth.

The first AFLW western derby will be a ticketed event for operational reasons, with the entry fee likely to be a small donation.

The novelty factor is likely to draw a huge crowd to the 60,000-capacity Burswood venue.

If more than 53,034 fans attend it will break the record set in this year’s AFLW grand final and set a new mark for the highest attendance at a women’s domestic sporting match in Australia.

The players are likely to have to contend with not only the hot weather, but a rock-hard playing surface. The Optus Stadium turf will be a cricket outfield during the Big Bash League which precedes the derby.

The grand final will be held during round five of the AFL season, with the competition expanding to eight home-and-away games before a three-week finals series. The top three sides in each seven-team conference will qualify for the finals.

West Coast head of female football Adam Selwood was happy to get the Magpies first up.

“Big club, they’ve been in the competition for three years,” Selwood said.

“To play at Victoria Park, where our inaugural men’s team played many years ago, is exciting.”

Fremantle AFLW manager Darryn Fry said the Dockers would set themselves to again go unbeaten at Fremantle Oval.

“Fremantle Oval is our heartland and it’s where our girls really love to play,” Fry said.