THE WAFL season will be shortened by two games to 18 matches from next year, saving the nine clubs and League about $170,000 annually.

Reducing the season from 23 to 21 rounds will also bring the length of the WAFL campaign into line with all other state leagues.

Next year's WAFL season will kick off over the Easter long weekend, with the season-decider still to be played the weekend before the AFL Grand Final.

The WAFC expects the fixture will be more financially sustainable due to reduced operations, statistics and umpiring costs.

It will also be fairer, with clubs to play each other twice and the remaining two games fixtured against teams from the same third of the ladder, or scheduled for traditional marquee match-ups.

"It is critical that we find the right balance with sustainability and equalisation, while still retaining the important historical clashes and respecting the heritage of the clubs and the competition," WAFC football operations manager Jon Haines said.

Each club will have three byes, with another general bye to be included if a state game is confirmed.

West Coast vented frustration with the WAFL fixture in July after alignment club East Perth faced three byes in seven weeks, claiming it hampered fringe players' push for AFL selection.

That issue could be eliminated if the Royals decide to break-off the alignment at the end of 2018 and the Eagles are granted permission to enter their own reserves team in the WAFL. 

West Coast and East Perth are due to meet at the end of the season to decide the future of the partnership.

If the Eagles enter their own side in the WAFL after next season it would coincide with the opening of their new training and administration facility at Lathlain Park.

West Coast has also campaigned strongly to be granted an AFLW licence when the competition is expanded in 2019.