How to Follow the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers: A Perth AFL Fan's Guide

Perth is the only city in Australia that fields two AFL clubs in the same stadium, and that rivalry between the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers gives the city a unique football heartbeat. Whether you have barracked for one side since childhood or have just arrived in WA and want to pick a team, following AFL in Perth is one of the great local sporting experiences. Both clubs play the bulk of their home games at Optus Stadium in Burswood, one of the finest sports venues in the country, with a capacity of around 60,000.

Tickets for home games are available through the Ticketmaster platform, which is linked directly from each club's official website at westcoasteagles.com.au and fremantlefc.com.au. Membership packages are the most cost-effective way to attend multiple matches during the season, and both clubs offer a range of tiers from basic reserved seat access through to full club memberships with exclusive benefits. Memberships open in the second half of each calendar year for the following season, so it is worth signing up to each club's newsletter to catch the announcement.

If you cannot make it to the ground, every AFL match is broadcast on free-to-air television via Channel 7 and Foxtel, with the AFL's own streaming service, AFL Live Pass, available for games not shown in your local market. Perth matches are generally well served on free-to-air given the strong local interest, but a subscription gives you coverage of every game every round. Local radio call is available on SEN 1116 and ABC Radio, and both broadcasters provide full pre-match, in-game and post-match coverage throughout the season.

The AFL home-and-away season runs from March through to September, with finals played through to the Grand Final in late September. Perth crowds at Optus Stadium are well supported by great public transport, with dedicated train services running from the city to Burswood Station on match days. The Transperth journey planner at transperth.wa.gov.au is the best place to plan your trip. Both the Eagles and the Dockers run strong community and junior programs, so even if you are not yet sure which shade of blue is yours, getting along to a game is the best way to find out.

Sources: West Coast Eagles Fremantle Dockers Optus Stadium

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