The AFL has locked in its fixtures for the final round of the regular season, with West Coast granted their wish to play the first match.

Round 18 will begin with the Eagles taking on North Melbourne on a Thursday night on September 17 at Metricon Stadium.

The scheduling of that will allow West Coast to fly straight back to Perth for a home elimination final if they end up finishing fifth or sixth.

St Kilda and GWS will face off at the Gabba on Friday night in a match that could have huge ramifications for both sides.

The final match of the round is also significant, with Collingwood taking on ladder-leaders Port Adelaide at the Gabba on September 21 – a Monday.

All teams still in the finals mix will have a minimum of six days break before their final-round clash.

AFL general manager of clubs and broadcasting Travis Auld said the last round of the season was the final piece of the puzzle in a complex year of scheduling.

“These are unprecedented times and the fixture this year has had to respond to and reflect the unique challenges presented across the season,” Auld said.

He added the bye following round 18 would give teams extra time to recover ahead of the finals.

Round 18: (all times AEST)

Thursday, Sep 17

North Melbourne vs West Coast Eagles, Metricon Stadium 7:10pm

Friday, Sep 18

St Kilda vs GWS, Gabba, 7:50pm

Saturday, Sep 19

Essendon vs Melbourne, Metricon Stadium, 2:10pm

Adelaide Crows vs Richmond, Adelaide Oval 5:10pm

Brisbane Lions vs Carlton, Gabba, 7:40pm

Sunday, Sep 20

Hawthorn vs Gold Coast, Adelaide Oval, 1:05pm

Sydney Swans vs Geelong Cats, Metricon Stadium, 3:35pm

Fremantle vs Western Bulldogs, Cazaly’s Stadium 6:10pm

Monday, Sep 21

Collingwood vs Port Adelaide, Gabba, 7:15pm