“The AFL has done a good job in balancing the various demands of the competition and from our perspective it is a very good draw,” Chief Executive Campbell Rose said.
The Bulldogs will play 14 games at Etihad Stadium in 2010 and have secured another 5 Friday night games for the coming season.
Also, the Western Bulldogs will again play home games in both Canberra (Round 8) and Darwin (Round 16) next season.
“We are constantly trying to build our brand across the country and these interstate fixtures allow us to bring our Club to the people of the ACT, Southern NSW and the Northern Territory. In saying that we are also pleased to be travelling only once in the opening five rounds,” Rose said.
General Manager of Football James Fantasia today also expressed his satisfaction with the 2010 fixture.
“With 5 Friday night games, 2 of which are home matches, the Western Bulldogs brand is beginning to get the exposure it rightly deserves, particularly given the style and quality of football we are playing,” Fantasia said.
The Club are also thrilled to open their season with a blockbuster home game at Etihad Stadium against Collingwood, on what will be an unforgettable day for the Western Bulldogs.
“Our season begins with a home fixture against Collingwood in Captain Brad Johnson’s 350th game and we see this as a fantastic opportunity for us to celebrate one of the greatest players to ever wear the Red, White and Blue,” Rose said.
In a further bonus for Western Bulldogs supporters at least 13 games will be televised on free to air television - an increase of two from last season - with round 22's coverage to be decided ahead of the final home-and-away round.
Key Points
-Round 1 home game against Collingwood (Brad Johnsons 350th AFL game)
-5 Friday night games: 2 HOME games (Adelaide and St Kilda), 3 AWAY
-Strong HOME games in opening 6 rounds against Collingwood, Hawthorn and St Kilda
-HOME games in Darwin and Canberra
-Only 1 interstate game in the first 7 rounds
-4 out of the first 6 games HOME matches
-Only 1 trip to Western Australia
-Round 22 match in Melbourne
-Minimum of 13 matches broadcast on free to air television
