The AFL has confirmed dates and times for Round 24 of the season, which is anticipated to see a number of top eight spots shuffled and secured over the course of the late-August weekend.
The round will open with Melbourne and Collingwood at the MCG on the evening of Friday, August 23. With both clubs currently still in the mix for a finals placing, the match could see the winner's season stay alive while the other's be brought to an end.
A similar situation could occur in multiple Sunday games as the Western Bulldogs and GWS go head-to-head in Ballarat to start the day, while Fremantle host Port Adelaide to end the home and away season in Perth.
A clash at Marvel Stadium between finals chance Carlton and Victorian foes St Kilda will fall between those two Sunday affairs.
Saturday will see five games played, with likely finals contenders Geelong, Hawthorn, Essendon, Brisbane and Sydney to feature across the day.
The day's proceedings will start with Geelong and West Coast at Kardinia Park. Richmond and Gold Coast's battle will take place the same afternoon at the MCG, which will include a moment of farewell to retiring Tigers great Dustin Martin.
Hawthorn will host North Melbourne in Tasmania later that day at 4:35pm.
The evening games will see Brisbane and Essendon battle at the Gabba, with the latter's season potentially on the line, while Sydney will host Adelaide concurrently - potentially meaning the minor premiership could be decided as the Swans and Lions both stake their claim.
Round 24 AFL Fixture
*All Times AEST
Friday, August 23
Melbourne vs Collingwood, MCG, 7:40pm
Saturday, August 23
Geelong vs West Coast, GMHBA Stadium, 1:45pm
Richmond vs Gold Coast, MCG, 2:10pm
Hawthorn vs North Melbourne, UTAS Stadium, 4:35pm
Brisbane vs Essendon, Gabba, 7:25pm
Sydney vs Adelaide, SCG, 7:40pm
Sunday, August 25
Western Bulldogs vs GWS, Mars Stadium, 12:30pm
Carlton vs St Kilda, Marvel Stadium, 3:20pm
Fremantle vs Port Adelaide, Optus Stadium, 6:10pm
