Western Australian AFL supporters are bracing for a frustrating beginning to the 2024 season, with their home state set to host exactly zero matches during the competition's opening two weeks. This scheduling quirk means both the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers will be starting their campaigns entirely on the road.
The Asian Cup Takes Centre Stage at Optus Stadium
The core reason for this football freeze in the west is the prestigious women's Asian Cup tournament. Perth's premier venue, Optus Stadium, has been selected to host significant fixtures, including the Matildas' tournament opener on March 1 and a semi-final on March 17.
Despite the significant gap between these two football matches, strict tournament regulations have a major impact. The stadium must be handed over to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for its exclusive use at least 10 days before the first match and will not be available again until two days after the final match held there.
AFL's Workaround and the Ripple Effect
The AFL did have a potential solution to stage one game in Western Australia during this period. This involved North Melbourne's lucrative deal with the state government, which includes playing a game in Bunbury. However, the league has decided against this option for the opening round.
Instead, the plan is to wait until Round 2, when two games are scheduled for Optus Stadium. According to reports from 7NEWS Perth's Ryan Daniels, the likely matchups will see West Coast host the Kangaroos, while Fremantle appear set to face Melbourne. To fulfil its agreement, North Melbourne will return to Perth later in the year for a game in Bunbury and another in the city.
Broader Sporting Disruption Across Codes
The impact of the Asian Cup is not confined to the AFL. The NRL is also heavily affected, with several Sydney-based clubs left homeless for the opening three rounds. Key stadiums like CommBank, Accor, and Cbus Super Stadium are all being used by the football tournament.
Completing the trifecta of disrupted WA teams, the A-League's Perth Glory are also on the road for a month from late February. Their return to HBF Park is currently scheduled for March 22, marking a significant period where Perth's major sporting teams are largely absent from their home grounds.
