Published 13 November 2024, updated 20 March 2025
H2: North Melbourne FC Kangaroos are bringing AFL games to Bunbury
In case you haven’t heard, North Melbourne FC Kangaroos are bringing an AFL home game to Bunbury once a year, every year for the next three years. That’s three chances to catch North Melbourne in Premiership action in Bunbury, with the ‘Roos also fitting in three games at Optus Stadium.
This is massive for Bunbury, our community and local businesses, with the West Coast vs North Melbourne match on 8 June 2025 being the very first for premiership points outside of Perth, ever!
Further funding for the Hands Oval Redevelopment
The premiership clash will also have a positive knock-on effect on the rest of our community, with the State Government pledging an extra $5.7 million in upgrades for the Hands Oval redevelopment to make sure our facility competes with the rest of the premiership. That’s on top of the $19.5 million already invested in the sports centre.
This means that as well as first-class facilities for Bunbury AFL games, our community can enjoy revamped facilities, changing rooms, parking, as well as improved public toilets and a first aid room at the ground.
West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers to face the ‘Roos on rotation
The three-year deal for AFL games in Bunbury will see West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers each play an ‘away’ game against the Kangaroos at Hands Oval, on a rotational basis.
Tickets to North Melbourne vs. West Coast match in Bunbury on Sunday, 8 June 2025 sold out in around 20 minutes, meaning fans’ appetites are well and truly there for AFL in Australia’s South West.
North Melbourne will host one match at Hands Oval and one at Optus Stadium each season, with West Coast and Fremantle alternating between the venues over the three years.
Hands Oval has previously hosted three pre-season matches, a West Coast-Adelaide clash in 1991, Fremantle games against Carlton in 2009, and the Western Bulldogs in 2011. But this is the first season we’ve seen premier action, and it’s going to be a cracker.
We thank the State Government, in particular our Member for Bunbury, Don Punch, and Minister Rita Saffioti, for their confidence and investment in our beautiful city.
Stay tuned for more updates
We will share plenty more details in the lead-up to 8 June 2025!
To find out more about the Hands Oval redevelopment visit the project page below.