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AFL fixture release: Round 21 Optus Stadium double-header as West Coast host Melbourne, Fremantle play Brisbane

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Jordan McArdleThe West Australian
West Coast will host Melbourne next weekend as part of a double-header at Optus Stadium.
Camera IconWest Coast will host Melbourne next weekend as part of a double-header at Optus Stadium. Credit: Daniel Wilkins/The West Australian

WA footy fans will be treated to two games in as many days at Optus Stadium next weekend in the highlight of the AFL’s round 21 fixture reveal.

Perth’s weekend double-header sees West Coast host Melbourne under lights on Saturday night, from 5.40pm, before Fremantle takes on Brisbane the following afternoon at 3.10pm.

The rare occurrence is a result of the Dockers and Lions moving their round-eight tussle, originally scheduled for Optus Stadium, to the Gabba after WA’s coronavirus scare forced the port club to flee the State.

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The Eagles-Demons match will be crucial to both sides’ finals ambitions with West Coast, currently seventh, looking to cement their top-eight spot and third-placed Melbourne hoping to arrest late-season form slump.

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The round kicks off with premiership fancies Western Bulldogs hosting Essendon at Marvel Stadium on Friday night, one of three games at the Docklands venue across three days.

Fremantle and Brisbane will clash at Optus Stadium next Sunday.
Camera IconFremantle and Brisbane will clash at Optus Stadium next Sunday. Credit: Bradley Kanaris/AFL Photos/via AFL Photos

Collingwood will play for AFL premiership points in Tasmania for the first time, with their clash against Hawthorn shifted to Launceston.

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein announced the Hawks’ home match, slated to be played at the MCG, would instead be held at University of Tasmania Stadium.

The Magpies have never played a regular-season match in the Apple Isle, last setting foot there for a pre-season fixture against the Hawks in 2015.

The Apple Isle has already hosted several additional matches this year due to coronavirus border closures wreaking havoc with the schedule.

Six of the nine matches have times locked in, with the three Victorian matches on Saturday - at the MCG, GHMBA Stadium and Marvel Stadium - still up in the air.

“We are pleased to be able to confirm details for six of the nine matches for Round 21,” AFL fixtures boss Travis Auld said.

“We thank the Queensland Government for enabling teams currently based in Queensland to travel to – and play matches – in Victoria, in line with protocols approved by the Queensland Government.

“There are some key match-ups in Round 21 that will shape the top eight as we near the completion of the home-and-away season.

“We are pleased Showdown 50 between the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide will take place at Adelaide Oval and we are looking forward to celebrating the annual Pride Game between St Kilda and the Sydney Swans.

“While the fixture for the 2021 season remains a week-to-week proposition, we will continue to make changes that best navigate the current environment, progresses our season and helps protect the health and safety of those in our game and the wider community.”

- with AAP

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