THE AFL has released its fixture for round 23, with the Sydney Swans and Geelong facing off at Simonds Stadium from 1.45pm on Saturday, September 1.
AFL broadcasting, scheduling and legal affairs general manager Simon Lethlean said the League's aim was to look after travelling teams in finals contention.
Top team the Sydney Swans could not be considered for the Friday night game because Simonds Stadium doesn't have lights, but Lethlean said the AFL had done its best to accommodate the potential minor premiers.
"We've given them the best chance we can," he said.
"They play the early game on Saturday, they'll get home that night, and if they qualify for a home final they'll have at least six or seven days into that game.
"So it's the best we can do."
The AFL hopes to release the week one finals fixture on the Saturday night after the completion of the Essendon v Collingwood and Fremantle v Melbourne games.
Round 23 fixture
Friday August 31
Hawthorn v West Coast, MCG, 7.50pm (channel 7)
Saturday September 1
Geelong v Sydney Swans, Simonds Stadium, 1.45pm (7)
Adelaide Crows v Gold Coast, AAMI Stadium, 1.40pm (Fox)
GWS v North Melbourne, Skoda Stadium, 4.40pm (Fox)
Essendon v Collingwood, MCG, 7.40pm (7)
Fremantle v Melbourne, Patersons Stadium, 5.40pm (Fox)
Sunday September 2
Carlton v St Kilda, Etihad Stadium, 1.10pm (Fox)
Richmond v Port Adelaide, MCG, 3.15pm (7)
Brisbane Lions v Western Bulldogs, Gabba, 4.40pm (Fox)
