Optus Stadium to become the home of footy.

Perth will soon become the home of footy as the AFL today announced further plans for the Perth AFL Hub.

In an announcement today on AFL.com.au – Collingwood and Geelong will be heading west to verse West Coast and Fremantle.

Statement: It has also been confirmed that the Magpies and Cats will enter a WA hub for three weeks from round seven, with that fixture to be revealed in the coming days.

North Melbourne and Hawthorn are believed to be negotiating how to service their commercial deals to play matches in Tasmania. 

As of this Saturday, Optus Stadium is allowed to have 50% crowd capacity attend sporting games and events at the stadium, however, in a recent announcement, WA Premier Mark McGowan said on Monday that WA sports stadiums including Optus Stadium would be given permission for 100 percent crowd capacity from July 18 – making it a very attractive proposition for the AFL and of course for WA footy fans.

Richmond, Melbourne and Essendon will not be required to go to WA in that period, as those clubs either have or will have, played one of the WA teams, which would restrict fixture options. 

As for the Western Derby, the AFL is working closely with the WA government, and West Coast and the Fremantle, about scheduling the match for Sunday, July 19 – which could be in front of a capacity crowd at Optus Stadium. 

The AFL will on Thursday or Friday this week publicly release its round six and seven fixtures.

Update: AFL confirms Geelong and Collingwood will head to Perth hub.