For at least another year, former West Coast co-captain Oscar Allen has been spared what will be a chilly reception at Optus Stadium when he returns to take on the Eagles for the first time.

The only clash of the year between West Coast and three-time reigning premiers Brisbane will come at the Gabba in round six, meaning Allen will not play a game in front of his former fans until at least his third year with the Lions.

Brisbane visited Western Australia to take on the Eagles in round 19 of last season, but that game came as Allen recovered from a foot injury which sidelined him for three months through the middle stages of the year.

Allen reclaimed his place in Brisbane’s side in the back-end of their season and was an important figure in their run to the flag, with his six goals in the finals series including two in their dramatic grand final win over Fremantle.

Meanwhile, West Coast’s off-season recruits Jack Viney and Trent Rivers will have their reunion with Melbourne in round eight, when the Eagles head to the MCG to take on Melbourne.

West Coast acquired the pair on the final day of the trade period, with veteran midfielder Viney having been told his senior opportunities at the club he played 238 games for would be limited going forward and East Fremantle product Rivers opting to return to his home State.

After The West Australian revealed the opening western derby of the season would be played on a Friday night for the very first time, West Coast’s first clash with Fremantle in 2026 has been set for round five on April 16.

Their second meeting for the season is set for round 19 but has not yet had a date or time locked in, with a floating fixture in place from round 17 onwards.

West Coast’s WA Day eve fixture will this year be played against Carlton on Sunday, June 6.

The Eagles will also have to make trips to two of their unhappiest hunting grounds in GMHBA Stadium and the SCG. Their clash with Geelong — who they have not beaten at home since 2006 and have suffered average losing margins of 73 points since — will come in round 10 and they will take on Sydney in round 18.

Despite having ended last season sitting 16th on the ladder, they will twice take on the Swans, who finished second.

Dean Cox’s side will be out to repeat their 128-point demolition of the Eagles at Optus Stadium last year when they return in round nine, while the Eagles will be hoping to put up a strong performance to bolster their hopes of recruiting Swans star and impending free agent Chad Warner.

West Coast’s other double-ups will come against Fremantle, Melbourne, Essendon, Richmond and Port Adelaide.

West Coast 2026 fixture

ROUND 1: West Coast v Gold Coast, Optus Stadium, Sunday March 21, 3.10pm

ROUND 2: GWS Giants v West Coast, Corroboree Group Oval, Saturday March 27, 11.10am

ROUND 3: West Coast v Port Adelaide, Optus Stadium, Sunday April 4, 4.10pm

ROUND 4: Richmond v West Coast, Norwood Oval, Saturday April 10, 2.35pm

ROUND 5: Fremantle v West Coast, Optus Stadium, Friday April 16, 6.10pm

ROUND 6: Brisbane v West Coast, Gabba, Saturday April 24, 11.15am

ROUND 7: West Coast v Collingwood, Optus Stadium, Saturday May 1, 5.35pm

ROUND 8: Melbourne v West Coast, MCG, Sunday May 9, 1.15pm

ROUND 9: West Coast v Sydney, Optus Stadium, Saturday May 15, 2.15pm

ROUND 10: Geelong v West Coast, GMHBA Stadium, Saturday May 22, 2.15pm

ROUND 11: North Melbourne v West Coast, Hands Oval, Sunday May 30, 1.15pm

ROUND 12: West Coast v Carlton, Optus Stadium, Sunday June 6, 6.10pm

ROUND 13: West Coast v Western Bulldogs, Optus Stadium, Saturday June 12, 5.35pm

ROUND 14: BYE

ROUND 15: Richmond v West Coast, MCG, Saturday June 26, 11.15am

ROUND 16: West Coast v Adelaide, Optus Stadium, Friday July 2, 6.10pm

ROUND 17: West Coast v Essendon, Optus Stadium

ROUND 18: Sydney v West Coast, SCG

ROUND 19: West Coast v Fremantle, Optus Stadium

ROUND 20: Port Adelaide v West Coast, Adelaide Oval

ROUND 21: West Coast v Melbourne, Optus Stadium

ROUND 22: St Kilda v West Coast, Marvel Stadium

ROUND 23: West Coast v Hawthorn, Optus Stadium

ROUND 24: Essendon v West Coast, Marvel Stadium