Fremantle to light up Mandurah in 2016

2016 Membership

Fremantle to light up Mandurah in 2016

FREMANTLE will launch its 2016 campaign with a NAB Challenge match against Richmond at Bendigo Bank Stadium on Friday, February 19.

It will be the second year in a row that Bendigo Bank Stadium has hosted a NAB Challenge fixture, following West Coast’s 31-point triumph over Carlton earlier this year in front of approximately 10,000.

Given the alignment between Fremantle and Peel Thunder, there will be plenty of Dockers players who are familiar with the Mandurah ground, which is regarded as one of the best in the WAFL competition.

It could also pave the way for Richmond young gun Kamdyn McIntosh to play on his home turf as a former Pinjarra and Peel Thunder product.

In an unusual quirk of fate, the hosts of the last two NAB Challenge games at Bendigo Bank Stadium have gone on to play in the AFL Grand Final later that year.

Fremantle last played at Bendigo Bank Stadium in 2013, when it thumped the Western Bulldogs by 109 points, before going on to play in the Grand Final against Hawthorn, while West Coast backed up its NAB Challenge campaign with a Grand Final appearance against the Hawks this year.

The Dockers will not play a NAB Challenge game outside WA next year, with games against Adelaide at Mount Barker and against Geelong at Domain Stadium.

Bouncedown for the clash is 4.10pm, while tickets are yet to be determined.