Football: Dockers to play Hands Oval

Although their side may have turned in a disappointing NAB Cup performance at the weekend, Fremantle Dockers supporters in Bunbury could have been forgiven for celebrating.

That's because the AFL yesterday confirmed that Fremantle, who suffered consecutive defeats at the hands of the West Coast Eagles and Hawthorn in Perth on Sunday, will play a pre-season match at Hands Oval for the second time in three years.

The NAB Challenge fixture, that is likely to be scheduled for Saturday, March 5, is expected to attract thousands of people.

When Fremantle played Carlton at the ground in 2009 a sell-out crowd of 10,000 witnessed a Dockers victory with many more locked outside.