Subiaco Oval was Western Australian AFL's spiritual home for three decades, from 1987 to 2017, serving as the primary venue for both West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers. The ground evolved from sharing facilities with cricket into becoming a purpose-built AFL destination that symbolised the code's growing importance in Western Australia.
The oval hosted the Eagles' dominant years in the early 1990s, including consecutive Grand Final appearances, and provided a passionate home ground advantage for both clubs throughout their tenures. The ground's unique character and strong supporter culture made it one of the most vibrant AFL venues outside Victoria.
When Optus Stadium was completed in 2017, both clubs relocated to the new facility, marking the end of Subiaco's 30-year association with AFL and the closure of one of the code's most important recent venues.
Subiaco Oval's closure in 2017 marked the end of a remarkable era in Western Australian football. The ground's transition to Optus Stadium represented the continuing modernisation of AFL facilities, though Subiaco remains beloved by generations of Eagles and Dockers supporters who created unforgettable memories at the venue.