The WAFL has released its fixtures for 2017, with a grand final rematch coming early in round four between premiers Peel Thunder and Subiaco.
The season will open with a clash between East Perth and Peel Thunder on March 18.
![Dennis Cometti.](/web/20161218042440im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/1/1/7/y/2/5/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gtd8pt.png/1481939580985.jpg)
The 2017 season will feature 23 rounds, with 18 games and the finals series to be televised live on the Seven Network, with popular broadcaster Dennis Cometti back commentating local footy.
Nearly 80 per cent of the games have been scheduled in the traditional Saturday afternoon timeslot.
![Peel Thunder beat Subiaco to win the 2016 premiership.](/web/20161218042440im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/o/7/v/5/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gtd8pt.png/1481939580985.jpg)
West Australian Football Commission CEO Gavin Taylor said the 2017 fixtures had been planned with the aim of growing and enhancing the WAFL competition.
"The WAFL clubs do a terrific job with activities for fans and families at their games. The fans have a unique chance to get up close to the action, see some of WA's best talent on display, listen to the coaches and enjoy a kick on the ground at the breaks," he said.
In 2016 the WAFL TV audience grew by 25 per cent to 875,000. On average each televised match attracted 38,000 viewers.
Mr Taylor said it was good news Seven had confirmed Cometti would be involved as a special WAFL commentator for 2017.
"To have somebody of Dennis' calibre involved with our premier state league, where it all began for him as a commentator, is terrific news for the competition," he said.
KEY ROUNDS:
Round 1 – East Perth v Peel Thunder under lights, 7.10pm at Medibank Stadium, live on 7
Round 2 – Polly Farmer Trophy, East Perth v West Perth at HBF Arena, live on 7
Round 4 – The Fathering Project Round, GF rematch Subiaco v Peel Thunder at Medibank Stadium, live on 7
Round 6 – ANZAC Round, South Fremantle v East Fremantle at Fremantle Community Bank Oval, live on 7
Round 7 – Peel Thunder vs East Perth leading into the first AFL Western Derby of 2017, live on 7
Round 10 – Men's Health Round, Subiaco v East Fremantle at Medibank Stadium, live on 7
Round 11 – WA Day – 2 Monday games including East Perth v West Perth at Medibank Stadium, live on 7
Round 12 – Count Me In Round – Swan Districts v West Perth at Steel Blue Oval, live on 7
Round 16 – NAIDOC Round – Claremont v South Fremantle at Claremont Oval, live on 7
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