The race for the eight could go down to the final game of the AFL season with Port Adelaide and Fremantle to close out a high-stakes final round.
The AFL has confirmed the schedule for round 23, with games that could decide the finals make-up spread out across all three days.
Port host the Dockers in the final game of the round – a Sunday twilight game at Adelaide Oval which could make or break either team’s season.
The 10th-placed Power and 12th-placed Dockers are among six teams set to fight it out for the last remaining top-eight spots.
Adelaide, currently eighth on the ladder, face the ninth-placed Western Bulldogs in Ballarat in the early Sunday game.
Richmond host Brisbane at the MCG on Sunday afternoon, and that game is primed to shape the top end of the ladder.
The Lions currently sit four points clear of Richmond in third place but their run home also includes tough games against the Bulldogs and Geelong.
Reigning premiers West Coast, GWS and the ladder-leading Cats will look to secure top-four finishes with their matches on Saturday.
The Eagles host Hawthorn in Perth and the Giants face Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium in the two evening games, while Geelong and Carlton’s clash at GMHBA Stadium occupies the twilight slot.
As expected, the round begins with Collingwood hosting Essendon in a blockbuster Friday night clash at the MCG.
The Magpies had been viewed as premiership contenders but recent losses have left them ahead of the seventh-placed Bombers only on percentage.
| Date | Fixture | Venue | Broadcast* | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri Aug 23 | Collingwood vs Essendon | MCG | Seven & Fox | 7:50pm |
| Sat Aug 24 | Sydney Swans vs St Kilda | SCG | Fox | 1:45pm |
| Sat Aug 24 | North Melbourne vs Melbourne | Blundstone Arena | Fox | 2:10pm |
| Sat Aug 24 | Geelong Cats vs Carlton | GMHBA | Fox | 4:35pm |
| Sat Aug 24 | Gold Coast Suns vs GWS Giants | Metricon Stadium | Fox | 7:25pm |
| Sat Aug 24 | West Coast Eagles vs Hawthorn | Optus Stadium | Seven & Fox | 8:10pm |
| Sun Aug 25 | Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide Crows | Mars Stadium | Fox | 1:10pm |
| Sun Aug 25 | Richmond vs Brisbane Lions | MCG | Seven & Fox | 3:20pm |
| Sun Aug 25 | Port Adelaide vs Fremantle | Adelaide Oval | Fox | 4:40pm |
*Note – broadcast refers to the channel the match will be shown on in Victoria. All matches for non-Victorian clubs will be shown on Seven in their home state.
IAP
Guest
I expect that neither Port nor Freo will be in contention for the 8 come round 23 anyway. It's a very real possibility that round 23 will be a first elimination final for the Crows and the Dogs. I'd be quite happy for this game to be moved to Marvel.
TomC
Roar Guru
I'm not assuming it will come down to 'Crows and Power' at all. Not sure how you've come to that conclusion.
Brian
Guest
Quote a chance though the Tigers will have an incentive not to win handsomly so they come 4th and play Geelong at the MCG rather then 3rd and a trip to Optus Oval. Its unlikely but the AFL are clearly happy to open themselves up to the possibility.
Brian
Guest
There's 6 teams who could make 8th why are you assuming it will come down to Crows and Power. I agree though Richmond v Brisbane should have been on the Saturday night. Richmond, Adelaide and Brisbane have all had good draws fighting against teams with less favourable ones and now they get to play on the Sunday as well.
TomC
Roar Guru
Apparently the AFL asked the Dogs about shifting the game against Adelaide to another venue so it could be played on Saturday night. This wasn't possible due to contracts with the City of Ballarat. In hindsight it was a silly mistake for the AFL to schedule a game like this in a round with a floating fixture, limiting their options for moving it to the ideal timeslot. As it stands one or both of the Power and Dockers will go into the game knowing exactly what result they need to get eighth spot, should that be possible. Ideally the Dogs-Crows and Port-Freo games would be played simultaneously on Saturday night so no one gets that advantage. Seeing as that wasn't possible, I don't really understand why Richmond-Brisbane is on Sunday afternoon, rather than Saturday night. As things are Richmond and/or Brisbane might well be competing for second spot with the Eagles on percentage and once again they'll know precisely what score they need to get that home final. Admittedly these teams will also be competing against each other most likely, so it's less of an issue, but if one of them has a few upset losses it might become more significant. I know there are commercial considerations, but if the AFL goes to the trouble of having a floating fixture they should use it for the purpose they intended.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Big whoop.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Richmond Round 22 clash against the Eagles Sunday Arvo put an end to any chance of a Tigers Lions Friday night blockbuster. Too short of turnaround for the poor old Tigers
Mario Lia
Guest
Friday night should be Richmond V Brisbane that is the blockbuster of the round. Top 4 and Top 2 spot and Home finals should be up for Grabs. Collingwood V Essendon will be most likely playing each other again in the 1ST week of the finals. Brisbane Lions deserve a Friday night blockbuster against the Tigers. We get sick of seeing Colling wood and Essendon in to many Friday night slots.
Gyfox
Roar Rookie
Sunday 4.40 pm is the worst time-slot - but especially for this final round. And who will be watching if Port & Freo are already out of contention for the Finals?
Omnitrader
Roar Rookie
final round should be played EPL style. all games at the same time
IAP
Guest
The same reason as always - to maximise revenue.
Rissole
Roar Rookie
My thoughts too. Why have a floating Round 23 fixture if everyone has the week off next week?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Coll v ESS looms as a dead rubber. It’s possible they gain nothing from a win and play each other first week of finals regardless. Perhaps the Pies will have no players left to field a side anyway?
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
With the bye, does it really matter when these games are played?
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
I’d prefer that than Freo’s traditional 4:35pm on Sunday that we always seem to play when they visit Adelaide.
Cat
Roar Guru
Saturday 4.35 – yuck. Oh well, I'll still be there.