The Fremantle Dockers, nicknamed ‘Freo’, are an Australian rules football club based in Fremantle, Western Australia. They play in the Australian Football League (AFL) and their home ground is Optus Stadium. With the 2023 AFL season underway, Dockers fans may be wondering what channel Freo’s games are being broadcast on this year.
Quick Overview
In Western Australia, Freo games are shown live on free-to-air TV on Seven Network. For Dockers fans living outside of WA, games are available on Fox Footy (pay TV). Some games are also broadcast on 7mate or 7Two (free-to-air). Additionally, fans can stream games live on the AFL Live app or Kayo Sports.
TV Broadcast Partners
The AFL has domestic broadcast deals with the Seven Network and pay TV provider Foxtel. This gives Seven and Foxtel the rights to broadcast live AFL matches around Australia.
In Western Australia, under the terms of the AFL broadcast deal, Seven Network has exclusive free-to-air rights to broadcast Fremantle and West Coast Eagles home games. These games cannot be shown live on free-to-air TV anywhere else in the country.
For viewers outside of WA, Foxtel’s Fox Footy channel is usually the place to watch Freo games live. Fox Footy broadcast every AFL game live each round except for Seven’s exclusive WA matches.
Seven Network (WA)
Seven is Fremantle’s primary broadcast partner in WA. Dockers home games at Optus Stadium and some away games are shown live on Seven’s main channel in Perth and regional WA.
In 2022, Seven WA showed 16 live Fremantle games. A similar number is expected this season.
Fox Footy
For Fremantle fans living outside WA, Fox Footy is the main destination to watch Dockers games live. The pay TV network airs every AFL game in every round, unless Seven has exclusive rights.
Fox Footy is available as part of the Foxtel Pay TV package or via the subscription streaming service Kayo Sports. These options do require a paid subscription.
7mate and 7Two
When Seven Network in WA has other programming scheduled in primetime, some Freo games may be broadcast live on 7mate or 7Two. Both of these are free-to-air digital TV channels available in Perth and regional areas.
Dockers supporters should check TV guides on the day of each game to confirm which Seven channel is airing the match live.
Streaming Options
Fremantle fans have two main options to stream the team’s games live online, whether they are in WA or interstate:
AFL Live app
The official AFL Live app offers live streaming and on-demand replays of every AFL game during the season. It’s available on mobile, tablets, desktop and TV apps such as Apple TV and Chromecast.
In 2022, the AFL Live Pass subscription cost $99 for a 12 month season pass. A similar price is expected this year.
Kayo Sports
Kayo Sports includes access to the same AFL broadcasts as Foxtel. This includes every Fremantle game not shown exclusively on Seven in WA.
Kayo has packages starting from $25 per month. There’s also a 14 day free trial for new customers.
How to Watch Freo Games Interstate
For Dockers fans based outside of WA, here are the main options to watch games in 2023:
Service | Includes | Cost |
---|---|---|
Fox Footy on Foxtel | All live AFL games except Seven exclusive games | Foxtel packages from $49/month |
Kayo Sports | All live AFL games except Seven exclusive games | From $25/month |
AFL Live app | Live stream and replays of every AFL game | $99 annual pass |
Fans should note that due to the time difference, most Fremantle away games will be shown on delay on Fox Footy rather than live. Live streaming or Foxtel’s IQ box is required to watch replays and delayed telecasts in full.
Watching Freo Games Without Foxtel
Australians without access to Foxtel still have options to watch Fremantle during the season:
- AFL Live app – streams every game live, costs $99 for a season pass
- Free-to-air TV – 7mate and 7Two may broadcast some Dockers games live
- Delayed telecast on free-to-air – each Saturday night one game is replayed on Seven, Nine or 10
- Catch up highlights – YouTube, AFL website, AFL Live app
While live coverage is limited without Foxtel, footy fans still have ways to watch Freo play each round.
Radio Coverage
ABC Radio provides live radio commentary of every AFL game around Australia on Triple M, ABC Grandstand or local radio stations.
In Perth, ABC Radio broadcasts Fremantle games on:
- 720 AM
- Digital radio
- Grandstand website/app
Dockers fans can tune in to ABC Perth for live radio coverage if they can’t watch a game on TV or streaming.
Following Freo From Overseas
Unfortunately, overseas options are more limited compared to within Australia due to stricter broadcasting rights:
- AFL Live app works overseas but costs $139 for an International Pass (VPN may be required)
- Some countries have local broadcast partners (UK – BT Sport, USA & Canada – WatchAFL)
- Highlights packages only via AFL website and YouTube (GEO blocked)
Expat Dockers fans or those travelling abroad will find it is difficult and expensive to follow Fremantle’s season live from overseas.
Full 2023 AFL Broadcast Schedule
The full details of which network will broadcast each AFL game live during the 2023 season can be found on the official AFL website here closer to the start of the season:
Fans should check the site in March 2023 for the confirmed plan of which games will be shown on Seven, Fox Footy, 7mate, 7Two and other networks for each round.
Finding Freo’s Next Game
Dockers supporters have a few options to find out when and where Fremantle’s upcoming games are being broadcast:
- Check the AFL fixture for date, time and location
- View the broadcast guide when released
- Check TV guides in WA newspapers
- Look on the Fremantle Dockers website/club app
- Check the Kayo Sports or Foxtel TV Guide
Watching AFL in WA
Here’s a quick summary of how to watch any AFL game, not just Freo, during the season if you live in Western Australia:
Channel | Games |
---|---|
Seven Network WA (Perth) | Fremantle and West Coast home games |
7mate | Some WA team home games |
Fox Footy | All games live except Seven exclusive matches |
AFL Live app | Live stream and replays of every game |
With Seven’s exclusive access to WA teams’ home matches, footy fans in Perth will need either free-to-air TV or streaming to catch all the live action each round.
Conclusion
Fremantle Dockers fans in Perth can watch games live on Seven Network during the 2023 AFL season. For Australians outside of WA, Fox Footy and Kayo Sports provide live broadcast access under the AFL’s media rights deal. Expats and overseas fans have limited options to watch Freo live but can keep up to date with highlights packages.