"We've locked in October 17 for our season start, that'll be across all senior grades and we'll work towards a fixture next week hopefully," operations manager Fraser Lucas said.

Lucas explained the association's executive presented two options to clubs on Tuesday night, October 17 and October 31.

"It was a pretty close vote, it was only one the difference," he said.

READ MORE:

Lucas said starting earlier meant the association could space out its one-day matches.

"It avoids the need for division one to play double-headers throughout the year," he said.

"Otherwise, if we went October 31, I think there would have been two double-headers.

"The lower grades would have had to come back earlier after Christmas which is something they'd prefer not to do."

Division one will return on January 9 but division two and three will return on January 16.

The executive is prepared to be flexible for AFL grand final weekend - October 24.

Only division one will play that weekend and clubs can decide when they'd wish to play their match.

"We'll just fixture it and work with the clubs to accommodate their date if they choose to change it," Lucas said.

The operations manager added the under 16s competition would begin on October 18 while the under 13s start date is yet to be confirmed.

The division one season will be 18 rounds with each team playing 16 matches and having two byes.

Senior grades semi-finals and grand finals will be on March 6 and 13, with March 20 the reserve weekend.

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.