Footscray will open the 2018 Peter Jackson VFL season by the bay on Saturday, April 7 against Sandringham at Trevor Barker Beach Oval, it was announced on Friday.

The Dogs will play their first home game of the season at VU Whitten Oval in Round 2 against Coburg, one of six games scheduled at the Club’s spiritual home, and will play consecutive home games there just once, in Round 8 against Collingwood and Round 9 against Essendon.

Venues for games against Box Hill in Round 14, and two games against North Melbourne in Rounds 12 and 19 have yet to be confirmed.

With no Friday night games scheduled competition wide in 2018, the Bulldogs will play the majority of their games on Saturday, with only two games under lights, against Richmond in Round 5 and Essendon in Round 9, both at home.

Click here for the full schedule.