Round 23 fixture released
North Melbourne's final match of the home and away season will played on a Sunday afternoon.
The AFL confirmed the Round 23 fixture on Tuesday, with the Kangaroos in the 3.20pm timeslot at the MCG.
The game will be broadcast on Channel Seven.
View the full Round 23 fixture below:
Friday August 30
Sydney v Hawthorn - ANZ Stadium - 7.50pm
Saturday August 31
St Kilda v Fremantle - Etihad Stadium - 1.45pm
Geelong v Brisbane - Simonds Stadium - 2.10pm
Port Adelaide v Carlton - AAMI Stadium - 4.40pm EST
Essendon v Richmond - MCG - 7.40pm
West Coast v Adelaide - Patersons Stadium - 8.10pm EST
Sunday September 1
Gold Coast v GWS Giants - Metricon Stadium - 1.10pm
Collingwood v North Melbourne - MCG - 3.20pm
Western Bulldogs v Melbourne - Etihad Stadium - 4.40pm
The AFL's explanation of the fixture was as follows:
› The AFL has sought to maximise fixture options for week one of the 2013 Toyota AFL Finals Series by ensuring that a majority of sides in the top eight after round 18 of the home and away season will have played by Saturday, August 31.
› It was determined that the Sydney Swans and Hawthorn match should be scheduled on Friday night, given that Hawthorn is a travelling side and currently positioned on top of the ladder after round 18 of the home and away season. This will maximise the number of days’ break for the club before week one of the finals.
› As ANZ Stadium is hosting Friday night’s Sydney Swans vs. Hawthorn match, the two matches allocated to the MCG must be scheduled across Saturday and Sunday. It was determined that Essendon and Richmond, as the sides ranked higher on the ladder after round 18, should be scheduled first, with Collingwood and North Melbourne to then play on Sunday.
› Although it must travel interstate for the final round, being scheduled to play on Saturday afternoon ensures that Fremantle will be able to return home by Saturday night, maximising its preparation period leading into week one of the finals should it qualify.
› While Carlton was not in the top eight after round 18 of the home and away season, it was determined that given both it and opponent Port Adelaide are currently in contention, both should be granted the opportunity to play on Saturday, maximising the break for both clubs before week one of the finals should either qualify.