AFL fixture Round 23 2019: League confirms times and dates for final round of season

The first game of Round 23 is set to draw a monster crowd, while Brisbane will have to wait until the last day of the round for its grand MCG test ahead of the finals.

The AFL on Tuesday night confirmed the dates, times and venues for Round 23, with Collingwood and Essendon to kick off the round.

With the Bombers in hot form and the Pies slipping out of the top four, there’s a real possibility the two teams could meet again in an elimination final a fortnight later.

The Richmond-Brisbane clash was the other Friday night option but never a realistic one as the Tigers would’ve copped a five-day break having played on the previous Sunday.

The Sunday afternoon clash could carry extra significance as the Lions and Tigers could be jostling for the same spot inside the top four.

Brisbane, which has won its past six straight games, will return to the MCG for just the second time this season after the Bombers belted Chris Fagan’s men by 47 points in Round 4.

The Western Bulldogs will host Adelaide in Ballarat in the early Sunday spot to avoid any lighting issues. That game could also see the two teams fighting for a top-eight spot.

ROUND 23 FIXTURE (ALL TIMES AEST)

Friday August 23

Collingwood v Essendon (MCG), 7.50pm

Saturday August 24

Sydney Swans v St Kilda (SCG), 1.45pm

North Melbourne v Melbourne (Blundstone Arena), 2.10pm

Geelong Cats v Carlton (GMHBA Stadium) 4.35pm

Gold Coast Suns v GWS Giants (Metricon Stadium), 7.25pm

West Coast Eagles v Hawthorn (Optus Stadium), 8.10pm

Sunday August 25

Western Bulldogs v Adelaide Crows (Mars Stadium), 1.10pm

Richmond v Brisbane Lions (MCG), 3.20pm

Port Adelaide v Fremantle (Adelaide Oval), 4.40pm