The AFL left the round 22 fixturing open when it released the draw in order to avoid issues relating to the first week of the finals.
Sunday sees just two matches played, with Port Adelaide travelling to Melbourne to take on Richmond and Melbourne playing the Kangaroos in a twilight fixture at the MCG.
Finals aspirant Carlton faces the most arduous schedule, travelling to Western Australia to face Fremantle in a match that could have implications on the top-four. But the match is on Friday night, ensuring the Blues have the longest possible recovery if they are involved in finals the next week.
St Kilda and the Swans are the other teams facing round-22 trips, with the Saints away to Adelaide and Paul Roos' men heading to Brisbane. Both games are on Saturday.
Fremantle and Adelaide have both been scheduled to play at home after traveling in round 22 last year.
AFL Chief Operating Officer Gillon McLachlan said the AFL’s primary aim was to maximise fixture options for week one of the 2010 Toyota AFL Finals Series.
“As per recent years, the AFL scheduled five games for Saturday, so that the majority of games can be completed by Saturday night, and enable us to consider the widest possible options for scheduling for week one of the finals,” McLachlan said.
“It is our view that Fremantle v Carlton will be an outstanding game to play on Friday night, as both sides contest finals positions, while the schedule of games on Saturday should provide a strong mix for supporters across Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane.”
ROUND 22
All times are local
Friday August 27
Fremantle v Carlton at Subiaco Oval, 6.40pm (Channel 7)
Saturday August 28
Geelong Cats v West Coast at Skilled Stadium, 1.10pm (Fox Sports)
Hawthorn v Collingwood at the MCG, 2.10pm (Network Ten)
Adelaide Crows v St Kilda at AAMI Stadium, 3.40pm (Fox Sports)
Western Bulldogs v Essendon at Etihad Stadium, 7.10pm (Network Ten)
Brisbane Lions v Sydney Swans at the Gabba 7.10pm (Fox Sports)
Sunday August 29
Richmond v Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium, 2.10pm (Channel 7)
Melbourne v North Melbourne at the MCG, 4.40pm (Fox Sports)
