The AFL has confirmed the fixture for Round 21, with the Bulldogs and Bombers set to get the weekend underway in a primetime Friday night clash.

In what will be the third last round of the home and away season, Essendon will be looking to strengthen their bid for a top-eight finish as they face premiership contenders in the Bulldogs.

Elsewhere, the 50th Showdown between Adelaide and Port Adelaide will take place in the Saturday night time slot, with a venue yet to be decided.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 08: Orazio Fantasia of the Power in action during the 2021 AFL Round 08 match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval on May 08, 2021 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Matches between Richmond/North Melbourne, Geelong/GWS and Carlton/Gold Coast are yet to have their time slots confirmed for next Saturday.

Hawthorn will see back-to-back fixtures in Tasmania, welcoming Collingwood to UTAS Stadium on the Sunday.

Sydney and St Kilda will take part in the annual Pride Game that will celebrate the LGBTIQA+ community, with both clubs wearing specially designed guernseys in the match.

Round 21

Friday, August 6
Western Bulldogs v Essendon at Marvel Stadium, 7.50pm AEST

Saturday, August 7
Richmond v North Melbourne at the MCG, TBC
Geelong v GWS Giants at GMHBA Stadium, TBC
Carlton v Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium, TBC
West Coast v Melbourne at Optus Stadium, 5.40pm AWST
Adelaide v Port Adelaide at TBC, 7.10pm ACST

Sunday, August 8
Hawthorn v Collingwood at UTAS Stadium, 2.10pm AEST
St Kilda v Sydney at Marvel Stadium, 3.20pm AEST
Fremantle v Brisbane at Optus Stadium, 3.10pm AWST