THE Collingwood-Port Adelaide match of round 18 has been scheduled as the final game of the 2020 Toyota AFL home and away season.

With match-ups for the round already known, the AFL on Tuesday designated timeslots and venues, with the Pies-Power blockbuster at the Gabba to be played on Monday night, September 21.

>> SEE ALL THE R18 TIMES AND VENUES BELOW

The match seems certain to shape the final eight, with the Power expected to be in a position to finish top of the ladder, which would guarantee an Adelaide Oval qualifying final, and Collingwood potentially playing to confirm a place in the eight. 

The round will begin on Thursday night, September 17, with North Melbourne playing West Coast at Metricon Stadium.

LADDER PREDICTOR Can your team make the eight?

The early scheduling of that game will allow for the possibility of the Eagles to return to Perth soon after to prepare for an Optus Stadium final in week one of finals. 

In round 18, each club has been given a minimum five days' break coming out of round 17, and finals contenders have been given six. 

THE AFL FINALS PUZZLE Who's at home. away, who chooses, who loses

The Friday night match of round 18 will be St Kilda-GWS at the Gabba.

Thursday, September 17

North Melbourne v West Coast, Metricon Stadium, 7.10pm AEST

Friday, September 18

St Kilda v Greater Western Sydney, the Gabba, 7.50pm AEST

Saturday, September 19

Essendon v Melbourne, Metricon Stadium, 2.10pm AEST
Adelaide v Richmond, Adelaide Oval, 4.40pm ACST
Brisbane v Carlton, the Gabba, 7.40pm AEST

Sunday, September 20

Hawthorn v Gold Coast, Adelaide Oval, 12.35pm ACST
Sydney v Geelong, Metricon Stadium, 3.35pm AEST
Fremantle v Western Bulldogs, Cazalys Stadium, 6.10pm AEST

Monday, September 21

Collingwood v Port Adelaide, the Gabba, 7.15pm AEST