The Western Bulldogs will only face each of the top four 2012 Premiership contenders once next season according to the AFL as they begin to release the basis of the 2013 fixture.
With the aim of levelling the inequity in the home and away season the Bulldogs, alongside the remaining nine non-finalists, will also only go head to head with two of the 2012 top eight teams for a return meeting throughout the year.
The full 2013 fixture is set to be released before the end of October according to AFL General Manager Broadcasting, Scheduling and Legal Affairs Simon Lethlean.
“The AFL’s arrangements with its broadcasters contain many specific scheduling obligations in relation to free to air and subscription television broadcast of Victorian and non-Victorian Clubs, match selection priorities for broadcasters as well as certain strategic imperatives for expansion markets,” Mr Lethlean said.
“Other considerations for the AFL are: AFL and AFL Club contractual obligations with stadia; Player welfare issues/six-day break minimums; Travel considerations for Clubs; Maximising attendances; Continuation of “blockbuster” and “themed” matches; Maintaining consistency of start times and Expansion market objectives.”
“For the period where clubs have their byes between rounds 11-13, the AFL will again schedule three rounds of six matches to provide as much continuity as possible for fans, and with the goal of a team from each state competing in a match in each week through that period.”
The Bulldogs season will kick off against Brisbane Lions on Easter Saturday at Etihad Stadium in an afternoon showdown with the exact time yet to be released.
