Western Bulldogs' 2010 fixture

THE WESTERN Bulldogs will celebrate Brad Johnson's 350th milestone in round one with a blockbuster clash against fellow 2009 preliminary finalist Collingwood at Etihad Stadium.

The Dogs will kick off their season with the first of 13 games at the Docklands venue on Sunday afternoon.

Throughout the year they'll avoid playing at Etihad Stadium more than four times in a row, will not face back-to-back interstate trips and will grace the MCG three times.

While the Dogs will travel six times again, they'll go just once in the first seven rounds (versus the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba in round four).

There will be one venture to both Perth and Adelaide (versus West Coast in round 13 and Adelaide in round 19), and another to take on the Sydney Swans at the SCG in round 21.

Their two interstate home games are scheduled for round eight (versus the Swans at Canberra's Manuka Oval) and round 16 (versus Port Adelaide at Darwin's TIO Stadium).

All up, the Dogs' interstate trips are neatly staggered across the season, although two in the final four rounds is less than desirable.

Fans will be treated to four big home games in the first six rounds against Collingwood, Hawthorn, Adelaide and St Kilda.

The Bulldogs meet each of the 2009 grand finalists only once - in round six against St Kilda, and Geelong in round 20.

Five Friday night, two Saturday afternoon, four Saturday night, six Sunday afternoon and four Sunday twilight matches make up the Dogs' fixture.

They are guaranteed a home match against Essendon at Etihad Stadium in round 22.

The Dogs will be broadcast on free-to-air television at least 13 times - an increase of two on 2009 - with round 22's coverage to be decided ahead of the final home-and-away weekend.