West Coast Eagles receive consolation fixture request, Dockers return to Cairns for round 18

West Coast’s wish to play the first game of round 18 has been granted, with the Eagles set to take on North Melbourne on Thursday week.

The AFL granted West Coast’s request after rejecting their push to move the game to Optus Stadium.

SEE THE FULL FIXTURE BELOW

The Thursday night clash at Metricon Stadium will give West Coast as much time as possible to return home and start quarantine, as they prepare for a potential home final.

The club confirmed they will apply for exemptions from the WA Government, seeking similar quarantine conditions to those they were granted when returning from the Queensland hub earlier this season.

A seven-day break between Thursday’s clash with St Kilda and the North Melbourne game will also be a welcome change from West Coast’s condensed fixture period.

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The Eagles will host a final at Optus Stadium in the first week of finals if they finish first, second, fifth or sixth.

They are currently fifth, just half a game outside the top four.

Fremantle will clash with the Western Bulldogs at Cazalys Stadium on Sunday night, September 20.

The home-and-away season finishes with Collingwood taking on ladder leaders Port Adelaide at the Gabba on Monday night, September 21.

ROUND 18 FULL FIXTURE:

Thursday September 17

North Melbourne v West Coast at Metricon Stadium (7.10pm AEST)

Friday September 18

St Kilda v GWS at the Gabba (7.50pm AEST)

Saturday September 19

Essendon v Melbourne at Metricon Stadium (2.10pm AEST)

Adelaide v Richmond at Adelaide Oval (5.10pm AEST)

Brisbane v Carlton at the Gabba (7.40pm AEST)

Sunday September 20

Hawthorn v Gold Coast at Adelaide Oval (1.05pm AEST)

Sydney v Geelong at Metricon Stadium (3.35pm AEST)

Fremantle v Western Bulldogs at Cazalys Stadium (6.10pm AEST)

Monday September 21

Collingwood v Port Adelaide at the Gabba (7.15pm AEST)