AFL announces times, dates for round 23

The AFL has opted to keep Thursday and Monday free of football in the final round of the regular season.

The league has announced the full fixture for round 23, which will end when Hawthorn face Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday, August 28.

The final round of the season will start with Adelaide hosting West Coast at Adelaide Oval on August 26.

The league, which allocates dates and timeslots for round 23 based on ladder position and the likely finals equation, was close to giving Greater Western Sydney their maiden Friday night match.

But GWS will instead face North Melbourne on Saturday night.

The other top-eight sides in action on Saturday are Geelong, who face Melbourne at home, and Sydney, who host Richmond.

St Kilda, currently ninth on the ladder, will battle Brisbane at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Western Bulldogs will tackle Fremantle on Sunday in what will be Dockers icon Matthew Pavlich's final AFL game.

ROUND 23 AFL FIXTURE:

Friday August 26

Adelaide v West Coast at Adelaide Oval, 7.40pm

Saturday August 27

Geelong v Melbourne at Simonds Stadium, 1.45pm

Essendon v Carlton at the MCG, 2.10pm

Sydney v Richmond at the SCG, 4.35pm

North Melbourne v GWS at Etihad Stadium, 7.25pm

Gold Coast v Port Adelaide at Metricon Stadium, 7.25pm

Sunday August 28

St Kilda v Brisbane at Etihad Stadium, 1.10pm

Fremantle v Western Bulldogs at Domain Stadium, 2.40pm

Hawthorn v Collingwood at the MCG, 3.20pm