WEST COAST and Fremantle's move to the new Perth Stadium could be delayed if a fair deal can't be struck with the venue's operators and Western Australian government.
While the state-of-the-art venue at Burswood is about a year way from completion, both WA clubs are yet to agree to terms to play there.
Eagles chief executive Trevor Nisbett says all parties are 'making some headway' but added time is running out to get a deal done in time for the 2018 season.
"There will come a time when it'll become extremely difficult for both clubs to transition," Nisbett told Perth radio station 6PR.
"We're very mindful of that, in all the negotiation we're pushing up because we want to get to a final resolution (where we can) at least agree we can play at the stadium.
"Once we've done that we can work out all the other detail, but it's extremely complex."
The challenge comes after the Western Australian Football Commission lost out to the operators of Sydney's ANZ Stadium, VenuesLive, to run the brand new 60,000-seat arena.
"Having viewed the stadium, it's a magnificent stadium; it's going to be terrific," Nisbett said.
"But we have to keep negotiating because we're not there yet.
"We'll keep going until we get a resolution as will VenuesLive and the State."
The move from the old, and increasingly out-of-date Subiaco Oval, is meant to provide fans with a more comfortable viewing experience, but Nisbett appears determined to ensure that doesn't come at cost to fans.
"That's a priority for both of us," Nisbett said.
"We have to look after our members to make sure it's not exorbitant to go to the football.
"That's been in the back of our minds with all the negotiations, so we have to try and look after the people who’ve supported both the clubs through their history."
An artist's impression of the finished stadium.