The AFL has been forced to amend the AFLW fixture one week out from the season opener due to Western Australia's tightening of border restrictions.
WA elevated both South Australia and Queensland to 'extreme risk' status as of 6pm on Friday night, meaning, under the state's controlled border arrangements, travel from those states is not be permitted unless approved under extraordinary circumstances.
Both Fremantle and West Coast were set to open their campaigns in front of home fans in WA, but their clashes against Adelaide and Brisbane respectively had to be altered.
Instead, a derby between the Dockers and Eagles has now been scheduled on the opening Saturday night of the season -- still in WA -- before both sides make the trek to Victoria from Round 2 for an extended period.
The Crows will now host the Lions in a Grand Final rematch next Sunday at Flinders University Stadium, with seven total fixture changes made across four different rounds to appease WA's hard stance.
"While COVID-19 continues to impact our community, we will continue to make changes that best manage the current environment, progresses our season and protects the health and safety of those in our game and the wider community," AFLW general manager Nicole Livingstone said.
"We're really looking forward to the season kicking off next Friday night in what shapes up to be a blockbuster opening round. With this fixture update, Round 1 will now see a WA derby at Fremantle Oval and a re-match of the 2021 Grand Final between the Adelaide Crows and Brisbane Lions.
"As we have done over the course of the pandemic, we will be led by and work closely with respective governments, all AFL clubs and other key stakeholders while ensuring the health and safety of the community remains paramount."
St Kilda will host Richmond next Friday, Jan. 7 in Frankston to kick off the new season.
Updated fixtures
Round 1
Fremantle vs. West Coast at Fremantle Oval, 5.50pm AWST
Adelaide vs. Brisbane at Flinders University Stadium, 1.40pm ACDT
Round 2
West Coast vs. Gold Coast at VU Whitten Oval, 12.40pm AEDT
Fremantle vs. GWS Giants at VU Whitten Oval, 5.10pm AEDT
Round 3
West Coast vs. Adelaide at Swinburne Centre Punt Road Oval, 12.40pm AEDT
Round 8
West Coast vs. Brisbane at Mineral Resources Park, 6.10pm AWST
Fremantle vs. Adelaide at Fremantle Oval, 12.10pm AWST