AFL confirms dates and times for Round 24

The AFL has confirmed the dates and times for Round 24 of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. The final round of the home and away season will be a thrilling affair, with several matches having finals implications.

The action kicks off on Friday night, August 25, at the MCG when Essendon hosts ladder leaders Collingwood in a blockbuster match up of traditional rivals. The last time the two teams met was on ANZAC Day in front of a record-breaking 95,179 fans.

Saturday August 26 is set up as a super day of matchups, with several matches having finals implications. The Brisbane Lions and St Kilda play the twilight slot at the GABBA and the Geelong Cats host the Western Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium in the evening.

Saturday afternoon sees North Melbourne host the Gold Coast SUNS at Blundstone Arena and Hawthorn and Fremantle matching up at the MCG before the West Coast Eagles host the Adelaide Crows on Saturday night at Optus Stadium.

The last day of the home and away season on Sunday August 27 will be a triple header with Port Adelaide vs Richmond at Adelaide Oval, immediately followed by the Sydney Swans hosting Melbourne at the SCG, and the final game of the home and away season, in a new 6:10pm time slot – the matchup of Carlton vs GWS GIANTS at Marvel Stadium.

AFL Head of Broadcast Operations and Scheduling Josh Bowler acknowledged with the competition so tight for coveted finals spots, setting the fixture came with its challenges due to the number of potential scenarios that could play out.

“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,” said Mr Bowler.

“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.

“Sunday will see three back to back to back games, all with finals implications on the line. We have purposely spread the last three games on Sunday to give each match clear airtime as we crescendo into what is sure to be a hotly contested 2023 Toyota AFL Finals Series.

“On behalf of the AFL, I would like to also thank the 18 clubs, players and the AFLPA, coaches, umpires, officials, broadcasters, venues, corporate partners and all state and territory governments – and of course the 1.2 million members and the 6.45 million fans who have attended games this season, along with the millions more watching at home.”

The full Round 24 fixture is as follows:

Friday, August 25

• Essendon vs Collingwood, MCG, 7:50pm AEST

Saturday, August 26

• North Melbourne vs Gold Coast SUNS, Blundstone Arena, 1:45pm AEST
• Hawthorn vs Fremantle, MCG, 1:45pm AEST
• Brisbane Lions vs St Kilda, GABBA, 4:45pm AEST
• Geelong Cats vs Western Bulldogs, GMHBA Stadium, 7:25pm AEST
• West Coast Eagles vs Adelaide Crows, Optus Stadium, 8:10pm AEST

Sunday, August 27

• Port Adelaide vs Richmond, Adelaide Oval, 12:30pm AEST
• Sydney Swans vs Melbourne, SCG, 3:20pm AEST
• Carlton vs GWS GIANTS, Marvel Stadium, 6:10pm AEST