AFL football operations boss Mark Evans says Round 23 could include a Monday night game

THE AFL needs more time to sort out the Round 23 floating fixture due to the close nature of the top eight, but a Monday night game has been discussed.

Hawthorn, led by skipper Luke Hodge, sits atop the AFL ladder - just. Picture: Getty Images

THE AFL needs more time to sort out the Round 23 floating fixture due to the close nature of the top eight, but a Monday night game has been discussed.

League football operations boss Mark Evans said a range of possibilities — including playing on a Thursday night in the first weekend of the finals series — have been canvassed.

The Round 23 matches are set, but in recent years have been put up with a floating fixture to take into account the teams playing in finals the following week.

Two games will pit likely finalists against each other, with North Melbourne hosting the GWS Giants at Etihad Stadium and the Crows and Eagles facing off at the Adelaide Oval.

This year a week off has been introduced to give a break before the finals series begins. A Monday night game would extend Round 23 into that week off, with Evans previously saying there are “plenty of things planned” to keep fans engaged.

But while the clock is ticking, Evans said there is still some water to pass under the bridge yet.

“They’re all possibilities that have been discussed, but nothing has been landed on yet,” he said on 3AW.

“I know we won’t want to leave that too far itno the future.”

Just two games separate Hawthorn at the top of the ladder from North Melbourne in eighth, which Evans conceded makes things a little difficult.

“What we are looking at is an incredible final eight,” he said.

“Every position is up for grabs and trying to work out how you might structure those games is going to be difficult straight away. Maybe (there could be) a little bit more time to play out first.”

ROUND 23

(Friday August 26-Sunday August 28. Times TBC)

Hawthorn v Collingwood (MCG)

Adelaide v West Coast (AO)

Essendon v Carlton (MCG)

Gold Coast v Port Adelaide (MS)

Sydney v Richmond (SCG)

St Kilda v Brisbane Lions (ES)

North Melbourne v GWS Giants (ES)

Geelong v Melbourne (SS)

Fremantle v Melbourne (S)

Originally published as AFL football operations boss Mark Evans says Round 23 could include a Monday night game