Double-headers dominate final AFL fixture

Oliver Caffrey |

Maddy Prespakis will be hoping to take part in the Bomber’s historic clash with the Swans in Sydney.
Maddy Prespakis will be hoping to take part in the Bomber’s historic clash with the Swans in Sydney.

Four double-headers with AFLW matches will complete the final two rounds of the AFL home-and-away season.

Just three weeks out from round 23, the AFL on Wednesday confirmed the dates and times that will help shape the inaugural wildcard round.

The women’s season will start with a standalone Thursday match between Hawthorn and Melbourne on August 13, before Fremantle host Adelaide in a blockbuster opening to round 23 the following night.

It will be the first and only AFL round this season not to feature a Thursday night game.

Charlie Spargo.
All four sides representing the Cats and Kangaroos will be in action on a bumper night next month. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

There will be four double-headers with men’s and women’s matches, starting with North Melbourne and Geelong playing each other in the AFLW and AFL at Marvel Stadium on August 15.

The Kangaroos will also feature in a double-header the following week, the AFL team facing Sydney at the SCG after the Swans’ AFLW match against Essendon.

In a first for the AFL era, two men’s matches will be played at the MCG on the same day.

In round 23, Richmond and St Kilda will play an early match at the MCG on August 14, before Hawthorn and Collingwood gear up for finals action when they face off at the same venue later that night.

(L-R) Steely Green and Jack Carroll.
The struggling Tigers and Saints will play their part on a historic day in the AFL’s history. (Rob Prezioso/AAP PHOTOS)

ROUND 23:

* Friday, August 14

Fremantle v Adelaide, Optus Stadium, 6.10pm

* Saturday, August 15

Richmond v St Kilda, MCG, 12.35pm

North Melbourne v Geelong, Marvel Stadium, 3.45pm

Brisbane Lions v Gold Coast, Gabba, 4.15pm

Hawthorn v Collingwood, MCG, 7.40pm

Port Adelaide v Melbourne, Adelaide Oval, 7.40pm

* Sunday, August 16

GWS v West Coast, Engie Stadium, 1.40pm

Western Bulldogs v Carlton, Marvel Stadium, 3.15pm

Essendon v Sydney, MCG, 4.40pm

ROUND 24:

* Thursday, August 20

St Kilda v Gold Coast, Marvel Stadium, 7.30pm

* Friday, August 21

Collingwood v Brisbane Lions, MCG, 7.40pm

* Saturday, August 22

Carlton v Fremantle, Marvel Stadium, 1.15pm

Melbourne v Western Bulldogs, MCG, 4.15pm

Geelong v Richmond, GMHBA Stadium, 7.45pm

Adelaide v GWS, Adelaide Oval, 7.40pm

* Sunday, August 23

Essendon v Port Adelaide, Marvel Stadium, 12.20pm

Sydney v North Melbourne, SCG, 3.20pm

West Coast v Hawthorn, Optus Stadium, 5.20pm

AAP