Round 23 fixture: Essendon v Collingwood blockbuster likely on Friday night

The AFL is set to make the most of top-eight shaping matches in Round 23 when it releases the game times for Essendon v Collingwood, Richmond v Brisbane and more. SNEAK PEEK

Essendon’s hot form is likely to lock in a Friday night Round 23 blockbuster against Collingwood when the league announces its fixture next week.

The AFL will unveil the details of its Round 23 floating fixture early next week after working through scenarios in the coming days.

The league is also set to clarify its rules surrounding finals venues after months of lobbying by Geelong for a GMHBA Stadium final.

The Herald Sun understands the new guidelines will make it easier for clubs to predict where they will play in finals in 2019.

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE SACKED PODCAST

A win against Gold Coast on Sunday will entrench Essendon in the top eight with a month of football remaining.

It would give the league confidence to fixture Essendon against the Pies on the Friday night of that round, with Richmond v Brisbane set to be a Sunday clash.

REVEALED: ABLETT GOT COLD FEET ON SUNS MOVE

KNEE: RANCE PUSHING FOR FINALS RETURN

ROBBO: FORMER BLUE’S CHEAP DIG AT MALTHOUSE

Brisbane was keen to be handed a Friday night game but Richmond plays on the Sunday of Round 22 and needs longer than a five-day break.

The AFL is excited by the prospect of scheduling that clash as the 3.20pm or 4.40pm Sunday game, meaning the finals order would not be set until the last game of the home-and-away season.

Two years ago Melbourne’s finals participation came down to the last seconds as Adelaide and West Coast battled in Perth.

Richmond and Brisbane could be playing off for a top-four spot in Round 23.

New finals ground rules would state GWS would host a home final at Giants Stadium regardless of the pulling power of its rival, with Geelong increasingly likely to be shut out of a GHMBA Stadium final.

Geelong president Colin Carter has consistently lobbied for a set of guidelines for finals venue fixturing rather than the current ad hoc arrangement.

The communique to clubs will give them advance notice about which rivals or likely attendance numbers would see them play at a given venue.

Almost every combination for the Cats except the Geelong v GWS game would draw an attendance above 50,000, well above their 34,000-capacity stadium.

Geelong has 65,000 members and over the last decade has averaged about 63,000 fans for home games at the MCG and 74,000 for finals.

The league must also considers finals series ticketing and opposition supporters.

POTENTIAL ROUND 23 FIXTURE

FRIDAY NIGHT

Collingwood v Essendon (MCG)

SATURDAY

Western Bulldogs v Adelaide (Mars Stadium, Ballarat)

North Melbourne v Melbourne (Blundstone Arena, Hobart)

Gold Coast v GWS Giants (Metricon Stadium)

West Coast v Hawthorn (Perth Stadium)

Geelong v Carlton (GMHBA Stadium)

SUNDAY

Sydney v St Kilda (SCG)

Richmond v Brisbane (MCG)

Port Adelaide v Fremantle (Adelaide Oval)