The AFL has today advised all Clubs of amendments to the fixture for the 2022 NAB AFL Women’s Competition following updated Western Australian border restrictions as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

West Coast will now take on Fremantle at Fremantle Oval on Saturday, January 8 at 5:50pm (AWST), with the original West Coast Eagles vs. Brisbane Lions match now rescheduled to Round Eight.

The Eagles will then head to Victoria for a 21-day hub, playing the Gold Coast Suns in round two at Victoria University Whitten Oval, followed by the Adelaide Crows in round three at Swinburne Centre Punt Road Oval, St. Kilda at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval and Geelong at GMHBA Stadium in round five.

Following this, West Coast will return home to Western Australia, before clashing with Collingwood at Victoria Park for round six.

Three of the final four matches for the year will then be played at Mineral Resources Park, with round seven against Richmond on Saturday, February 19, preluding games against Brisbane Lions in round eight and Western Bulldogs in round nine.

The final match of the year is against the Kangaroos at Arden Street, at a time and date yet to be confirmed.

West Coast’s round one RAC Derby clash will be the team’s inaugural match under lights and is a positive for Western Australian fans able to catch the action.

The side are also looking forward to the hub experience, with Eagles players given a chance to experience life as a full-time footballer.

Community & Game Development General Manager Richard O’Connell is pleased the players will be provided this opportunity.

"We acknowledge the significant efforts of the AFL to map a course for the 2022 AFLW season," he said.

"Relocating to Victoria for Rounds 2, 3, 4, 5 and returning to Melbourne for Round 6 will be a real opportunity to bond as a collective and test our resilience on and off the field.

"Our players, staff and volunteers all have shown a positive willingness to sacrifice their personal lives to deliver the AFL’s season road map - knowing many Australian families, businesses and front line workers are doing it incredibly tough due the impacts of COVID.

"Twenty-one nights away is not ideal particularly for those players with careers and we profoundly thank their employers and families for their ongoing support.

"Opening our season in front of a WA crowd filled with families and friends is really valuable, recognising we won’t be able to do this again until Round 7 when we take on Richmond at Mineral Resources Park.

"We are excited at the season ahead, it’s certain to present challenges but we are building towards sustained success and know that we learn the most about ourselves when truly tested."

While AFL General Manager Women’s Football Nicole Livingstone said the adjustments made to the fixture provides certainty into the early part of the season and allows the competition to remain as adaptable as possible as the season progresses in a constantly changing environment.

“While COVID-19 continues to impact our community, we will continue to make changes that best manage the current environment, progresses our season and protects the health and safety of those in our game and the wider community,” Ms. Livingstone said.

“We’re really looking forward to the season kicking off next Friday night in what shapes up to be a blockbuster opening round. With this fixture update, Round One will now see a WA Derby at Fremantle Oval and a re-match of the 2021 Grand Final between the Adelaide Crows and Brisbane Lions at Noarlunga Oval.

“We continue to work closely with each stakeholder to ensure the best possible outcome for everyone in the game. As we have done over the course of the pandemic, we will be led by and work closely with respective governments, all AFL Clubs and other key stakeholders while ensuring the health and safety of the community remains paramount.”

Ms Livingstone thanked all clubs, players and the AFLPA, umpires, venues, governments, and broadcasters for the role they each continue to play.

Full Fixture below:

Round 1 – Saturday, January 8

Fremantle vs. West Coast Eagles, Fremantle Oval (WA) (Seven), 8:50pm (VIC), 5:50pm (AWST)

Round 2 – Sunday, January 16

West Coast Eagles vs. Gold Coast Suns, Victoria University Whitten Oval (VIC) (Foxtel), 12:40pm (VIC), 9:40am (AWST)

Round 3 – Saturday, January 22

West Coast Eagles vs. Adelaide Crows, Swinburne Centre Punt Road Oval (VIC) (Foxtel), 12:40pm (VIC), 9:40am (AWST)

Round 4 – Saturday, January 29

St. Kilda vs. West Coast Eagles, Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval (VIC) (Foxtel), 3:10pm (VIC), 12:10pm (AWST)

Round 5 – Friday, February 4

Geelong Cats vs. West Coast Eagles, GMHBA Stadium (VIC) (Foxtel), 7:10pm (VIC), 4:10pm (AWST)

Round 6 – Saturday, February 12

Collingwood vs. West Coast Eagles, Victoria Park (VIC) (Foxtel), 5:10pm (VIC), 2:10pm (AWST)

Round 7 – Saturday, February 19

West Coast Eagles vs. Richmond, Mineral Resources Park (WA) (Seven), 7:10pm (VIC), 4:10pm (AWST)

Round 8 – Saturday, February 26

West Coast Eagles vs. Brisbane Lions, Mineral Resources Park (WA) (Seven), 9.10pm (VIC) 6.10pm (AWST)

Round 9 – TBC

West Coast Eagles vs. Western Bulldogs, Mineral Resources Park (WA), Time & Date TBC

Round 10 – TBC

Kangaroos vs. West Coast Eagles, Arden Street (VIC), Time & Date TBC