The AFLW has announced a series of changes to the 2021 season fixtures following Western Australian border decisions.

The Western Australian state government have upgraded the border restrictions for both Queensland and South Australia, which will mean teams can't travel from those states unless extraordinary circumstances permit.

It's understood the AFL isn't classified as an extraordinary circumstance, meaning the two Western Australian sides are set to spend even more time on the road this season.

Round 1 games impacted were the Fremantle-Adelaide clash at Fremantle Oval on Saturday, January 8, while the West Coast Eagles were set to go up against the Brisbane Lions in Perth the following day.

Other future home games for the Eagles and Dockers have also had to be moved in the revised schedule.

The only games themselves which have been switched are the two mentioned above, with a simple swap for Round 8 when Adelaide were supposed to play Brisbane.

Instead, the Western derby will now be played in Round 1 alongside Adelaide and Brisbane, with the formerly scheduled Round 1 clashes to be played in Round 8.

The Western derby will take place at Fremantle Oval, while the Adelaide-Brisbane clash will take place in South Australia.

The move had robbed the Western derby a chance of being played at Optus Stadium, given the stadium is still in cricket mode.

AFLW general manager Nicole Livingstone said the changes provide certainty.

“While COVID-19 continues to impact our community, we will continue to make changes that best manage the current environment, progresses our season and protects the health and safety of those in our game and the wider community,” Ms. Livingstone said.

“We’re really looking forward to the season kicking off next Friday night in what shapes up to be a blockbuster opening round. With this fixture update, Round One will now see a WA Derby at Fremantle Oval and a re-match of the 2021 Grand Final between the Adelaide Crows and Brisbane Lions at Noarlunga Oval.

“We continue to work closely with each stakeholder to ensure the best possible outcome for everyone in the game. As we have done over the course of the pandemic, we will be led by and work closely with respective governments, all AFL Clubs and other key stakeholders while ensuring the health and safety of the community remains paramount.”

Impacted AFLW matches

Round 1
Fremantle Dockers vs West Coast Eagles: Saturday, January 8, 8:50pm (AEDT) at Fremantle Oval.
Adelaide Crows vs. Brisbane Lions: Sunday, January 9, 2:10pm (AEDT) at Flinders University Stadium

Round 2
West Coast Eagles vs Gold Coast Suns will take place at Victoria University Whitten Oval on Sunday, January 16 at 12.40pm local time.
Fremantle Dockers vs GWS Giants will take place at Victoria University Whitten Oval on Sunday, January 16 at 5.10pm local time.

Round 3
West Coast Eagles vs Adelaide Crows will be played at Swinburne Centre Punt Road Oval on Saturday, January 22 at 12.40pm local time.

Round 8
The Round 1 matches between the West Coast Eagles, Fremantle, Adelaide Crows and Brisbane Lions have been postponed to Round 8.

West Coast Eagles vs Brisbane Lions will take place at Mineral Resources Park (WA) on Saturday February 26, at 9:10pm (AEDT).

Fremantle vs. Adelaide Crows will be played at Fremantle Oval on Sunday February 27, at 3:10pm (AEDT).