East Fremantle will once again call the WACA Ground home this season.
The men’s league side will play eight games of the 2023 season at the Ground, with the reserves and colts playing seven times.
A new addition this year is women’s games at the Ground, with the first of four fixtures this Saturday May 6.
It all kicked off on Saturday with East Fremantle hosting Perth at the WACA Ground, with the league side winning by 28 points.
The Sharks played at the WACA Ground in 2022 as part of a two-year deal due to the ongoing works at East Fremantle Oval.
Before that, they last played at the Ground in the 1994 qualifying final against West Perth.
WA Cricket CEO Christina Matthews was happy to see football returning to the WACA Ground.
“The Ground was lengthened as part of the WACA Ground Improvement Project so we’d be able to accommodate football games again and it’s wonderful to have East Fremantle return this year,” Matthews said.
“Our aim is to transform the WACA Ground to a year-round destination for sport, and hosting the WAFL here proves that we are well on our way to achieving that.
“The recent announcement of an additional $32.2 million in State Government funding will allow us to progress the WACA Ground Improvement Project and create a community hub for all.
“We are also passionate about supporting women in sport, so we are very excited to be able to host WAFLW games here for the first time.
“We encourage all East Fremantle members to get around the WACA Ground as their home away from home and we’re looking forward to the first round of games here on Saturday.”
WA Cricket and East Fremantle members can gain free entry to WAFL and WAFLW matches played at the WACA Ground with their current membership cards.
The action continues this Saturday May 6 with East Fremantle colts taking on West Perth from 9:10am, followed by the reserves at 11:40am, and the league game at 2:10pm.
WAFLW will then make its debut at the WACA Ground under lights with East Fremantle and Claremont kicking off from 5pm.
See the full fixture here.