Essendon will get the ultimate Friday evening stage for what may very well be a last-ditch shot on the finals after the AFL locked of their spherical 24 conflict with Collingwood on the MCG.
Then Carlton will get to lock down its potential return to the finals for the primary time since 2013 and ensure their premiership launching place when the Blues shut out the 2023 common season with a Sunday twilight conflict in opposition to GWS at Marvel Stadium.
Currently in twelfth, the Bombers are one in all 4 groups, together with reigning premiers Geelong, exterior the eight however nonetheless within the hunt to play in September with three rounds of the house and away season to go.
The AFL had waited so long as potential to verify the make-up of the ultimate spherical to make sure most drama, with the fortunes of a number of groups, together with Richmond, fluctuating in latest weeks.
Mathematically, there are nonetheless 14 groups within the hunt for spots from fifth to eight, though losses final weekend made it more durable for the Tigers and Fremantle, who now more likely to have to win all three sport to play finals.
Results in spherical 21 allowed the league to place these groups nonetheless vying for spots in key matches.
“The last few rounds have shown this finals race is very much still wide open and we have been witnessing some incredible closely fought matches,” AFL head of broadcast operations and scheduling Josh Bowler mentioned.
“We expect these last three rounds will keep footy fans enthralled as the race for the top eight is decided.
“This last round could possibly see up to six games with both teams competing for a finals outcome, which will make for a fitting conclusion to a record-breaking season so far.”
St Kilda, in seventh however stumbling, might have their finals hopes snuffed out by the Brisbane Lions, who may very well be vying for a top-two end, in a Saturday evening showdown on the Gabba.
Geelong will tackle the Western Bulldogs on the Saturday evening in a sport that would decide if the present champions miss the finals all collectively.
Melbourne’s ultimate ending place will then be decided in an SCG Sunday showdown with the Swans, who’re charging late and in tenth spot, simply half a sport exterior the eight.
The final-round twilight conflict on the Sunday between the Blues, who’ve jumped to fifth on a seven-game profitable streak, and GWS, who’re eight, would be the final sport of the house and away season.
The AFL is maintaining the pre-finals bye regardless of critics claiming it kills the momentum gained by the ultimate spherical of matches.
It will even enable groups with accidents to key gamers, together with Collingwood star Nick Daicos and Melbourne’s Harrison Petty, one other week of their recoveries.
AFL ROUND 24 FIXTURE
Friday, August 25:
Essendon v Collingwood, MCG 7.50pm
Saturday, August 26:
North Melbourne v Gold Coast Suns, Blundstone Arena 1.45pm
Hawthorn v Fremantle, MCG 1.45pm
Brisbane Lions v St Kilda, The Gabba 4.35pm
Geelong Cats v Western Bulldogs, GMHBA Stadium 7.25pm
West Coast Eagles v Adelaide Crows, Optus Stadium 8.10pm
Sunday, August 27
Port Adelaide v Richmond, Adelaide Oval, midday
Sydney Swans v Melbourne, SCG 3.20pm
Carlton v GWS, Marvel Stadium 6.10pm
Originally printed as AFL confirms instances and venues for ultimate spherical of season
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
