Fremantle defender Jordan Clark says the club's Opening Round snub "doesn't upset us" as they were forced to watch the beginning of the second consecutive season from the sidelines.
The second instalment of the AFL's Opening Round is in the books, but after a compromised start due to ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, Andrew Dillon's initiative has been thrust back into the limelight for all the wrong reasons.
The league was forced to postpone the Brisbane-Geelong clash to Round 3, while Gold Coast and Essendon will play twice in Round 24 after their game was moved to the final week of the home and away season.
The northern states' bias behind the venture is supposed to help grow and promote the game in Queensland and New South Wales.
In the two editions of Opening Round, stadiums have been packed and viewership has risen to record heights.
But should other clubs be kept on the sidelines for an extra week?
Clark, who is all for the AFL trying something different to continue building the game as the number one code in Australia, is thankful that the Dockers have extra time off for multiple reasons.
"I think it doesn't make a big difference by and large," Clark toldย Zero Hanger. "It doesn't change our preparation or upset us that we didn't play on the weekend.
"We still have the same amount of games as every other team so I think starting one week earlier is probably a little bit of a disadvantage over here in Perth, because it's so hot.
"So, the later we can push back playing in WA the better, I reckon."
The Dockers will travel 10 times across state lines as one of the most travelled sides in the competition in 2025.
Last year, Justin Longmuir's men led the league for "time in air", ranking above cross-town rivals West Coast, as well as Gold Coast and the Lions.
The Western Australian club has been on the front foot in restoring some semblance of competitive balance, making it clear to the league of the "toll" they face when travelling.
"I'll put my doctor's hat on, we do a lot of flying, we do a lot of travelling," Clark added.
"We spend a lot of time away from our family. We spend a lot of time away from our own beds in our homes.
"To have that extra two weeks off (in the pre-season), I think it's not much to ask. I think it's actually quite beneficial for our group to spend that time around family, friends.
"Naturally, you offer anyone at any job more days off, they're going to jump at it."
Following the AFL's league-wide review last year, both Fremantle and West Coast will get an extra home game in 2025, while North Melbourne will play "host" in Western Australia in Rounds 13 and 14.
