Fremantle is set to tackle Geelong in a blockbuster Monday night clash at Optus Stadium, according to Fox Footy.
The AFL is expected to announce the round eight fixtures tonight, with the Cats firming as the Dockers’ opponent, meaning West Coast will tackle Collingwood.
The round robin opponent swap comes following this Sunday’s round seven western derby, while Collingwood and Geelong face off this Thursday night.
As a result, the round nine fixtures would see the Eagles tackle Geelong and Fremantle come up against the Pies in the final round of the first WA hub.
Carlton and the Western Bulldogs are expected to be announced as the next Victorian-based clubs to head west.
“What we’re hearing is like everyone else, that Carlton and the Bulldogs are next in line,” Fremantle CEO Simon Garlick told 6PR this morning.
“The easiest way to look at it is a process of elimination, the sides that neither us or West Coast have played this year, and those who haven’t played each other (are next).
“The AFL wants to get them over to play three games basically so I know Richmond are part of that group, North Melbourne as well so we’re hearing probably what you guys are at the moment that Carlton the Bulldogs are the next cabs off the rank.”
Round eight is expected to run from Thursday July 23 through to Monday July 28, while rounds nine to 12 will be played across three weeks to condense the season.
So it looks Carlton & Western Bulldogs are the next 2 clubs coming to Perth followed by Richmond & North Melbourne.