Magpies and Hawks given R23 box seat

Hawthorn and Collingwood have been given the plum Friday night slot in the final round of the AFL season.

The match between Melbourne’s biggest modern-day powerhouses and MCG tenants will start the final round, before most finals-contenders play on Saturday.

Essendon will play Carlton at the MCG on Saturday afternoon, with Sydney hosting Richmond and Fremantle welcoming Port Adelaide on the same day.

Sydney will play their round 23 match at ANZ Stadium, where it is likely to host any home finals.

Fellow flag aspirants Geelong and North Melbourne will host their final-round games on Saturday night.

The draw was never going to please everyone, but Fremantle, Adelaide and the Gold Coast have the most reason to be upset.

The Dockers have been handed a six-day break, combined with a return from Brisbane, before taking on fellow flag contenders Port Adelaide.

The match between sides fourth and fifth on the ladder might have been considered for Friday night, if not for Fremantle’s Sunday match at the Gabba in round 22.

The Crows (eighth) and Suns (10th) are both hunting a place in the top eight but will also play on Sunday, hosting lower-ranked opponents.

The pair are the only sides within a win of the top eight drawn to play on Sunday.

The AFL has operated with a floating last round fixture since 2010 to maximise rest periods for teams competing in finals.

FINALS TUNE-UP OR SEASON ENDER: THE ROUND 23 FIXTURE

* Friday August 29

7:50pm – Collingwood v Hawthorn (MCG)

* Saturday August 30

1:10pm – Fremantle v Port Adelaide (Patersons Stadium)

1:45pm – Carlton v Essendon (MCG)

4:40pm – Sydney v Richmond (ANZ Stadium)

7:40pm – Geelong v Brisbane (Simonds Stadium)

7:40pm – North Melbourne v Melbourne (Etihad Stadium)

* Sunday August 31

1:10pm – Gold Coast v West Coast (Metricon)

2:50pm – Adelaide v St Kilda (Adelaide Oval)

4:40pm – Western Bulldogs v GWS Giants (Etihad Stadium)

All times local.

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