Collingwood v Essendon an early standout to start Round 23

All AFL clubs know who they play and where in the final home and away round of the year. But not when. Jay Clark reports there’s an early standout to kick off Round 23.

The AFL could kick-off Round 23 with a blockbuster Collingwood-Essendon clash when the league confirms the final-round fixture next month.

The contest between the traditional rivals has emerged as the early standout for the marquee slot and would have huge appeal with broadcasters, especially if Essendon remains a live chance to secure a finals berth.

The Magpies are also fighting for a top-two spot and home first final, and have the easiest run home in the competition over the last 10 rounds, according to Champion Data.

The AFL has a floating fixture in Round 23 and will lock-in the games later next month in way that helps maximise interest the top-eight clubs on the eve of the finals.

Dyson Heppell’s Bombers hope their Round 23 fixture is a finals dress rehearsal. Pic: AFL Photos

The league could slot the Port Adelaide-Fremantle game in the last spot on Sunday to leave the finals positions up in the air until the last game of the home and away season.

And the league will want to kick-off the final round with a bang.

The Bombers-Magpies clash could be one of the most-watched games of the season if John Worsfold’s men need to pull-off an upset victory over the Magpies to help clinch a September berth after missing the finals last year.

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Essendon’s finals chances currently balance on a knife’s edge, one game outside the eight ahead of Thursday night’s clash against West Coast in Perth.

The Bombers’ would need to win at least six, and possibly seven, of their remaining 10 games to book a finals spot. Their run home is rated the sixth-toughest.

The AFL like to schedule a high-rating game on the Friday night to help maximise television audiences and reward the best-performed clubs.

Jack Ziebell and the Kangaroos finish their home and away campaign in Hobart. Pic: Getty Images

Richmond play on the Sunday in Round 22, meaning they could be well-suited to the 3.20pm Sunday game in the final round, as both clubs attempt to shore-up a finals berth.

The late afternoon Sunday game leads into the Channel 7 news.

The pre-finals bye the following week means the days break leading into finals a fortnight later is less of a factor.

Interestingly, the Geelong-Carlton game at GMHBA Stadium game could pit the minor premier against the potential wooden-spooner.

It could also decide the Brownlow Medal, with two of the favourites in Patrick Cripps and Tim Kelly going head-to-head.

The St Kilda-Sydney game and Gold Coast-GWS contest would hold less appeal with broadcasters, depending on their form in the run home.

The Giants have only one Friday night game for the year and have appealed to heavyweights for more prime time exposure as the club attempts to have a crack at its first premiership.

The Cats hosted Carlton in a horro spectacle at GMHBA Stadium last year. Pic: Getty Images

THE FINAL ROUND?

The potential round 23 fixture:

FRIDAY NIGHT

Collingwood v Essendon (MCG)

SATURDAY

WB v Adelaide (Mars Stadium)

NM v Melbourne (Hobart)

Gold Coast v GWS (Metricon)

West Coast v Hawthorn (Perth)

Geelong v Carlton (GMHBA)

SUNDAY

Sydney v St Kilda (SCG)

Richmond v Brisbane (MCG)

Port Adelaide v Fremantle (AO)