Fremantle set for Gabba trip

Fremantle's scheduled round 8 home game against Brisbane at Optus Stadium has been shifted to the Gabba, after Perth's latest COVID scare.

The round 21 fixture between the clubs will now be played in Perth as part of a fixture swap.

The Dockers will remain in Queensland after the Lions contest before heading to Victoria to play their round 9 match against Essendon, then heading back to Perth for their round 10 clash with Sydney.

Fremantle Football Club CEO Simon Garlick said the decision was the right outcome for both the Club and the AFL competition.

“The current COVID-19 situation in WA doesn’t yet allow for the certainty of crowds in attendance at Optus Stadium this weekend,” Garlick said.

“For two consecutive weeks we have played with no supporters in the stands and this fixture swap gives us the best chance to play in front of our faithful members and fans in full voice later in the season.

“From a football perspective, these last two games we’ve had at Optus Stadium mean that travelling a week ahead of schedule is not an issue.

“It gives us a chance to go on the road as a group, take on a quality opponent and significantly increase our chances of an unaffected home game in the back end of our fixture.

The date and time remains the same for the Brisbane-Fremantle clash, to be played as the final game of the round on Sunday at 4:40 AEST.