West Coast is primed to start the 2017 season in flying fashion after the AFL released its official fixture, while Fremantle will experience a searching beginning to its new campaign.
The Eagles play North Melbourne (away), St Kilda (home) and Richmond (away) in their first three games and will likely start favourite in each of them.
![The Eagles and Dockers will do battle for the first time in 2017 in round six.](/web/20161030233911im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/z/r/4/v/c/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gsbpst.png/1477527330608.jpg)
On the other hand, the Dockers' first four games come against Geelong (home), Port Adelaide (away), reigning premiers the Western Bulldogs (home) and likely improver Melbourne (away).
At the opposite end of the year, the Eagles close with an away clash against likely top-four side GWS and then finals fancies the Crows at Domain Stadium.
Fremantle's finish to the season is potentially easier, with Richmond at home in round 22 and then Essendon away in round 23, although the Bombers will be vastly better in 2017 after a drug suspension-ruined 2016.
The first Western Derby of the season comes in round six on Saturday, April 29, and is a home match for West Coast, with the Dockers getting their opportunity to host the Eagles in round 17 on July 16 - a Sunday afternoon.
Domain Stadium's farewell to home-and-away football ahead of the move to the new Perth Stadium is set to be the Eagles' clash with Adelaide in round 23, with the time and day yet to be revealed.
The Dockers also play Geelong, North Melbourne, Essendon and Richmond twice, while the Eagles will meet St Kilda, Port Adelaide, the Western Bulldogs and GWS both home and away.
Fremantle has no Thursday, Friday or Monday night games and six day games, nine twilight games and six night games - although the "floating" round 23 fixture, when finalised, will change that equation.
West Coast has two Thursday night games at home, plus one Friday night match at Domain Stadium. The Eagles have seven day games, seven night games and seven twilight fixtures.
West Coast hosts Sydney on Thursday, April 13, the Western Bulldogs on Friday, May 12, and also Geelong on Thursday, June 15. The second of those Thursday games comes after the Eagles' bye, while the first is off just a five-day break, backing up from a match against Richmond at the MCG.
Both WA sides have two games scheduled at the MCG during the regular season.
Five Eagles fixtures to note:
Round five - Sam Mitchell faces Hawthorn at the MCG, Sunday April 23
Round six - Western Derby v Fremantle, Saturday April 29
Round eight - premiers Western Bulldogs come to Perth, Friday May 12
Round 17, Western Derby v Fremantle, Sunday July 16
Round 23, Domain Stadium's last home-and-away match, TBC
Five Dockers fixtures to note:
Round three - premiers Western Bulldogs come to Perth, Saturday April 8
Round six - Western Derby v West Coast, Saturday April 29
Round 11 - Collingwood at Domain, Sunday June 4
Round 17, Western Derby v Fremantle, Sunday July 16
Round 18 - Hawthorn at Domain, Saturday July 22