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THE WESTERN Bulldogs want to lock in an annual round one clash with Collingwood as part of a push for more "fixture equity".
Bulldogs president Peter Gordon told SEN radio on Thursday morning the two clubs had jointly asked the AFL for a season-opening fixture this year.
Although the AFL could not accommodate that request – the Dogs opened their season against Fremantle at Etihad Stadium and Collingwood played the Swans at the SCG – Gordon said both clubs remained committed to partnering in a traditional round one clash.
"We've needed a bit of fixture equity, we haven't had the best of runs over the last few years," Gordon said.
"We're a lot more happy with [our draw] this year. We've got some Friday night games, we're getting better crowds, we're playing good footy.
"And we're just hoping over the next few seasons the cooperation with the AFL continues, people want to watch us, we get to build our crowds and grow our base and everyone benefits from that."
Gordon said the worst timeslot of the week for attracting good crowds was the Sunday twilight game.
"They hate it," Gordon said of Bulldogs fans' attitude towards the timeslot.
"You think about young families and getting ready for school the next day. It resonates, particularly out in the western suburbs and the outer western suburbs of Melbourne."
The Bulldogs played six Sunday twilight games in 2014, but played just one last year and will play one this year, an away fixture against Essendon in round 22.
Gordon said it was hard to say how much crowds dropped off in Sunday twilight games as opposed to the earlier Sunday timeslots of 1.10pm and 3.20pm.
"This year we're obviously playing better footy, more people want to watch us anyway," Gordon said.
"We're really pleased with our crowds, they're significantly up, but there's a real noticeable difference in people's happiness with it and their preparedness to come when you've got that standard 1pm or 2pm afternoon fixture compared to the twilight."
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