Tuesday’s announcement makes for a bumper Round 23 with fellow finals contenders Essendon and Fremantle playing shortly after the conclusion of the Kangaroos’ match.
West Coast and Hawthorn will battle in a Friday night blockbuster at the MCG to open the weekend, while Brisbane and the Bulldogs take part in the final home and away fixture of 2012 on the Sunday afternoon.
The AFL hopes to release the week one finals fixture on the Saturday night after the completion of the Essendon v Collingwood and Fremantle v Melbourne games.
Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Monday 13th August at 9am through Ticketmaster.
Friday August 31
Hawthorn v West Coast, MCG, 7.50pm (channel 7)
Saturday September 1
Geelong v Sydney Swans, Simonds Stadium, 1.45pm (7)
Adelaide Crows v Gold Coast, AAMI Stadium, 1.40pm (Fox)
GWS v North Melbourne, Skoda Stadium, 4.40pm (Fox)
Essendon v Collingwood, MCG, 7.40pm (7)
Fremantle v Melbourne, Patersons Stadium, 5.40pm (Fox)
Sunday September 2
Carlton v St Kilda, Etihad Stadium, 1.10pm (Fox)
Richmond v Port Adelaide, MCG, 3.15pm (7)
Brisbane Lions v Western Bulldogs, Gabba, 4.40pm (Fox)
