Western Bulldogs full 2018 fixture and expert analysis

THE Western Bulldogs will renew their budding rivalry with the GWS Giants in a blockbuster start to the 2018 season. EVERY GAME + PROS AND CONS

THE Western Bulldogs will renew their budding rivalry with the GWS Giants in a blockbuster start to the 2018 season.

After their thrilling preliminary final in 2016 the two teams staged one of the most controversial matches of the 2017 season, starring arch-villain Toby Greene.

He will be again by the centre of attention when the Dogs kick off 2018 against the Giants in Canberra on Sunday, March 25 next year.

The Bulldogs have four more Sunday games than they did in 2016 and four fewer Friday nights, and have also missed out on the Good Friday game against North Melbourne.

JON RALPH: BLUES’ FIXTURE JUST PLAIN WRONG

WHAT THE? NINE WEIRD QUIRKS OF 2018 AFL FIXTURE

KEY DATES: WHEN IS THE 2018 GRAND FINAL?

PROS AND CONS

TICK: Play three of their first four games at Etihad Stadium.

TICK: Two games at their new adopted home in Ballarat against Gold Coast and Port Adelaide.

TICK: Four Friday night games including home games against Carlton and Geelong.

TICK: Double-ups against North Melbourne and Carlton.

CROSS: Lose Good Friday football.

CLUB SAYS: “The board will seek a meeting with AFL commissioners to understand whether there was any shortcoming in the Bulldogs’ 2017 support for or participation in the game, or any principle of competitive balance or fixturing, which provides an explanation for the AFL’s decision.” — President Peter Gordon

Giant Phil Davis and Bulldog Jack Redpath will meet again in Round 1, 2018. Picture: Michael Klein

FULL WESTERN BULLDOGS FIXTURE

1 Sunday, Mar 25 — GWS Giants, UNSW Canberra Oval (Away) 1:10pm, Foxtel

2 Sunday, Apr. 1 — West Coast Eagles, Etihad Stadium (Home) 3:20pm, Seven

3 Sunday, Apr. 8 — Essendon, Etihad Stadium (Home) 3:20pm, Seven

4 Saturday, Apr. 14 — Sydney Swans, Etihad Stadium (Home) 4:35pm, Foxtel

5 Saturday, Apr. 21 — Fremantle, Perth Stadium (Away) 6:10pm, Foxtel

6 Friday, Apr. 27 — Carlton, Etihad Stadium (Home) 7:50pm, Seven

7 Saturday, May 5 — Gold Coast, Mars Stadium (Home) 1:45pm, Foxtel

8 Saturday, May 12 — Brisbane Lions, Etihad Stadium (Home) 7:25pm, Foxtel

9 Friday, May 18 — Adelaide Crows, Adelaide Oval (Away) 7:20pm, Seven

10 Friday, May 25 — Collingwood, Etihad Stadium (Away) 7:50pm, Seven

11 Saturday, Jun. 2 — Melbourne, Etihad Stadium (Home) 1:45pm, Foxtel

12 Bye

13 Thursday, Jun. 14 — Port Adelaide, Adelaide Oval (Away) 7:20pm, Seven

14 Saturday, Jun. 23 — North Melbourne, Etihad Stadium (Home) 7:25pm, Seven

15 Friday, Jun. 29 — Geelong, Etihad Stadium (Home) 7:50pm, Seven

16 Saturday, Jul. 7 — Hawthorn, Etihad Stadium (Home) 7:25pm, Seven

17 Saturday, Jul. 14 — Melbourne, MCG (Away) 4:35pm, Foxtel

18 Sunday, Jul. 22 — West Coast Eagles, Perth Stadium (Away) 1:20pm, Seven

19 Sunday, Jul. 29 — Port Adelaide, Mars Stadium (Home) 3:20pm, Seven

20 Saturday, Aug. 4 — St Kilda, Etihad Stadium (Away) 7:25pm, Foxtel

21 Sunday, Aug. 12 — North Melbourne, Etihad Stadium (Away) 1:10pm, Foxtel

22 Sunday, Aug. 19 — Carlton, Etihad Stadium (Away) 1:10pm, Foxtel

23 — TBC Richmond MCG ((Away)) TBC