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WAFL returns to the WACA after nearly three decades with East Fremantle to play there the next two seasons

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Jordan McArdleThe West Australian
Matthew Jupp and the Sharks will call the WACA Ground home for the next two WAFL seasons.
Camera IconMatthew Jupp and the Sharks will call the WACA Ground home for the next two WAFL seasons. Credit: Iain Gillespie/The West Australian

The WACA Ground will become ‘Shark Park’ for the next two WAFL seasons after a deal was struck between East Fremantle Football Club and WA Cricket.

It will be nearly three decades since the last WAFL game at the iconic East Perth venue, when East Fremantle played West Perth in the 1994 qualifying final.

As part of the WACA Ground redevelopment the grass banks at the ground are currently being excavated, to lengthen the oval and accommodate the return of WAFL games and other sports, creating a multi-use venue.

The Sharks will use the ground while their Moss Street home base is undergoing a transformation of its own.

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East Perth Football Club the WACA as a home ground in the late 1980s for two seasons and both Fremantle and West Coast played home games there in the late 1990s.

“The club looks forward to playing our home games at the WACA Ground over the next two years, utilising a high-class playing surface for players, excellent viewing and hospitality arrangements for sponsors, members and visiting teams,” East Fremantle CEO Todd Shimmon said.

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“The WA Cricket team have been very accommodating in inviting football back to the WACA Ground, and we look forward to a positive partnership for both parties over the next two years.”

“We’re excited to have footy back here at the WACA Ground and look forward to sharing our home with East Fremantle over the next two years,” WA Cricket CEO Christina Matthews added.

“This is the first step in transforming the ground into a boutique multi-sport and community venue that complements Optus Stadium, with a permanent capacity of approximately 10, 000 seats.

“There is such a rich sporting history at the WACA Ground and WAFL plays a big part in that history, so this partnership is an opportunity to create more incredible sporting moments for WA fans.”

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