The Western Bulldogs will play seven Friday night matches and one Thursday night match in 2017, reflecting the increase in TV audience numbers this year and the Club’s standing as the most watched AFL team in 2016.
The season opens with an away blockbuster against Collingwood on Friday night at the MCG, followed by a grand final re-match against the Swans at Etihad Stadium in Round 2, also on a Friday night
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Under the AFL’s ‘weighted’ fixture rule, the Bulldogs will have return fixtures against two top six teams from 2016 (GWS, Sydney), two middle six teams (West Coast, North Melbourne) and one bottom six team (Brisbane).
The team travels interstate on seven occasions in 2017 (six in 2016), with two trips each to Western Australia and Queensland among those matches.
Furthermore, the Club will play in Cairns for the fourth consecutive season, as well as playing North Melbourne in the first Good Friday fixture in AFL/VFL history.
“There are many positives in the 2017 fixture particularly for our fans, members and sponsors with the additional Friday night games and the opportunities for greater exposure to a broader audience during the home and away season for our football team,” Bulldogs CEO Gary Kent said.
“We acknowledge the complexities and compromises the AFL deals with in developing a fixture.
“In 2017 we will play in Ballarat, we return to Cairns for the fourth consecutive year, feature on Good Friday and will play in more Friday night games in a season (7), than we have previously.
“We believe it provides our members and fans with some attractive games to attend, and also some great exposure for our sponsors in those prime time slots.”
