VERDICT
The Bulldogs play four of their first five matches at Etihad Stadium, and five of their last six, among a total of 14 appearances at the Docklands ground. They have only four night games, with none on Friday night. Their biggest home games will be against Geelong, Richmond and Essendon. The Dogs face two 2012 finalists - Adelaide and West Coast - twice, with other return bouts against the Brisbane Lions, Richmond and Melbourne. They have only five six-day breaks, but seven games outside Victoria (including a home game in Darwin).

CLUB REACTION
"2013 presents a demanding schedule - but the reality is, to improve, our team needs to be put up against the best sides in the competition and this fixture provides that opportunity. We are disappointed that our games aren't as accessible to our members and fans from a free-to-air viewpoint and in particular the prime time Friday night slot. However, we are pleased to have more consistency in our home game slots [with] the convenient time slots of Saturday and Sunday afternoons for the most part. We will now focus on best preparing for those challenges and capitalising on the opportunities." - Western Bulldogs CEO Simon Garlick.

CLUB HIGHLIGHTS
  • To play 14 matches at Etihad Stadium, including the first three matches of the season and five of the last six.
  • Will again play an interstate home match, hosting Port Adelaide at TIO Stadium, Darwin, in round 10.
  • Scheduled to play seven matches outside Victoria, including trips to Canberra's Manuka Oval in round 15 to meet GWS and Launceston's Aurora Stadium in round 17 to face Hawthorn.
  • Home draw includes Saturday night matches against the Geelong Cats (round five) and Richmond (round 13), plus a Sunday afternoon clash with Essendon (round 16).
  • Must face only two of the 2012 finalists twice - Adelaide and West Coast.
  • Will not travel in consecutive weeks at any stage of the season, and will play in Melbourne for the final round after travelling in round 23, 2012.

To download a pdf version of the 2013 fixture, click here.

RDDATEOPPONENTVENUEH/A LOCAL TIME
1Saturday, March 30 Brisbane LionsEtihad StadiumHome1.40pm
2Saturday, April 6 FremantleEtihad StadiumHome2.10pm
3Sunday, April 14 RichmondEtihad StadiumAway1.10pm
4Sunday, April 21 Adelaide CrowsAAMI StadiumAway2.45pm
5Saturday, April 27 Geelong CatsEtihad StadiumHome7.40pm
6Sunday, May 5 West Coast EaglesPatersons StadiumAway2.40pm
7Saturday, May 11 North MelbourneEtihad StadiumHome4.40pm
8Saturday, May 18 Gold Coast SUNSMetricon StadiumAway4.40pm
9Saturday, May 25 St KildaEtihad StadiumAway4.40pm
10Saturday, June 1 Port AdelaideTIO StadiumHome7.10pm
11Bye    
12Sunday, June 16 CollingwoodEtihad StadiumAway4.40pm
13Saturday, June 22 RichmondEtihad StadiumHome7.40pm
14Saturday, June 29 MelbourneMCGAway7.40pm
15Saturday, July 6 GWS GIANTSManuka OvalAway1.45pm
16Sunday, July 14 EssendonEtihad StadiumHome3.15pm
17Saturday, July 20 HawthornAurora StadiumAway1.45pm
18Sunday, July 28 West Coast EaglesEtihad StadiumHome3.15pm
19Sunday, August 4 Sydney SwansEtihad StadiumHome1.10pm
20Saturday, August 10 CarltonEtihad StadiumAway4.40pm
21Sunday, August 18 Adelaide CrowsEtihad StadiumHome4.40pm
22Sunday, August 25 Brisbane LionsGabbaAway4.40pm
23TBCMelbourneEtihad StadiumHomeTBC