The AFL has confirmed its scheduling for Round 23, with North Melbourne set to take on Melbourne in a Saturday night clash at Etihad Stadium on August 30.

With the first bounce scheduled for 7.40pm and to be televised on Fox Footy, the game will be the fifth in a marathon of Saturday games and could have final eight repercussions.

Essendon (seventh) plays Carlton at the MCG, while Fremantle (fourth) takes on Port Adelaide (fifth) to start the afternoon. Sydney (first) meets Richmond at the SCG in the twilight slot.

Elsewhere, Geelong (third) takes on Brisbane in the other night game at Simonds Stadium.

The round is set to kick off with a Collingwood-Hawthorn blockbuster on Friday night, with other top-eight contenders Adelaide and Gold Coast facing possible short breaks, scheduled to play on Sunday.

North is yet to play a Saturday night game at Etihad Stadium this season, with its first appearance in that timeslot this weekend against Geelong.

Round 23 fixture
(all times local)

Friday August 29
Collingwood v Hawthorn (MCG) - 7.50pm

Saturday August 30
Essendon v Carlton (MCG) - 1.45pm
Fremantle v Port Adelaide (Patersons) - 1.10pm
Sydney v Richmond (SCG) - 4.40pm
Geelong v Brisbane (Simonds) - 7.40pm
North Melbourne v Melbourne (Etihad) - 7.40pm

Sunday August 31
Gold Coast v West Coast (Metricon) - 1.10pm
Adelaide v St Kilda (Adelaide Oval) - 2.50pm
Western Bulldogs v GWS Giants (Etihad Stadium) - 4.40pm