While it remains unclear who the Bulldogs will play at Eureka Stadium next year, it looks increasingly likely that an expansion club such as Greater Western Sydney will make the trip down.

The Dogs’ rising membership base nearly topped 40,000 in 2016 and could go close to 50,000 next year after the drought breaking flag. The club’s premium membership packages for next season sold out just two days after this year’s premiership in a clear indication that supporters of the Red, White and Blue fancy their team as a back-to-back chance.

In August, Bulldogs president Peter Gordon told AFL.com.au that the club wanted to play the Crows or GWS at Eureka Stadium – either of which would make for a blockbuster match.

"If the opponent is Adelaide, for example, we would be hoping to get people driving from Adelaide and increasing the tourist return for Ballarat,” Mr Gordon said at the time.

“We would be hoping for a strong local interest from the people in Ballarat and we would be hoping for our own supporters from Melbourne to turn up. 

"That might produce a result where there is 13,000 [spectators] inside and 30,000 outside."

The first stage of the $15 million Eureka Stadium redevelopment will see a 5000 seat grandstand built, with the ground’s capacity listed at around 11,000.

Western Bulldogs Ballarat supporters group spokesperson Ray Neville said he believed the stadium won’t have the capacity to cater for a team such as Adelaide, which has more than 50,000 registered members is noted for its strong presence at Melbourne-based games.

“I don't think it will be big enough for Adelaide,” he said.

“We're going to hold what, 14,000 people (sic.) at Eureka?

“I think that whoever we get, we'll fill it up (regardless).

“If you want Adelaide to come over, build a bigger stadium. We need a bigger capacity for Adelaide teams.”

The second stage of the stadium redevelopment, not funded, would see seating increased to 8000 in total, alongside significant standing room numbers.

The AFL’s full 2017 fixture will be released on Thursday, with the match at Eureka Stadium likely to be played later in the season.