The AFL has locked in details for the Round 23 fixture, headlined by several mouth-watering clashes between flag contenders.

Brisbane (currently third) and Melbourne (second) will open the card on Friday night (7.50pm all times AEST) in a huge Gabba clash set to have key ramifications on the top four.

The other big matchup with plenty intrigue is a top-eight showdown between arch rivals Carlton (seventh) and Collingwood (fourth) at the MCG on Sunday afternoon (3.20pm) also set to shape the finals race.

It’ll be followed by a twilight bout between St Kilda (ninth) and Sydney (sixth) that should also have implications on the top eight.

Other exciting games include Essendon (14th) facing off with Richmond (10th) at the MCG on Saturday night (7:25pm) as the latter looks to stay in the finals hunt, and the Western Bulldogs (eighth) also fighting for ladder position when the club meets Hawthorn (13th) at UTAS Stadium on Sunday (1:10pm).

“The top eight is still very much in the balance, and if the matches are anything like what we witnessed last weekend, it‘s sure to be one of the best rounds of the season,” AFL fixture and finance boss Travis Auld said.

“The 2022 season has been more like the game we know and love, a return to the rituals of going to the footy and barracking for our teams but it hasn‘t been without its challenges.

“We want to thank every fan who turned up week after week to support their club and hopefully help them land a coveted spot in the top eight.

“These nine match-ups are a great way to close to the home and away season and a perfect lead into week one of the 2022 Toyota AFL Finals Series.”

FULL ROUND 23 FIXTURE

Friday, August 19

Brisbane v Melbourne, 7.50pm at the Gabba

Saturday, August 20

Greater Western Sydney v Fremantle, 1.45pm at Manuka Oval

North Melbourne v Gold Coast, 2.10pm at Marvel Stadium

Geelong v West Coast, 4.35pm at GMHBA Stadium

Essendon v Richmond, 7.25pm at the MCG

Port Adelaide v Adelaide, 7.00pm (ACST) at Adelaide Oval

Sunday, August 21

Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs, 1.10pm at UTAS Stadium

Carlton v Collingwood, 3.20pm AEST at the MCG

St Kilda v Sydney, 4.40pm at Marvel Stadium