ROUNDING OUT A TIGHT SEASON

u A rare Sunday night game with potentially massive implications will close out the 2023 AFL home and away season, one of tightest in League history.

Carlton will host the GWS Giants at Marvel Stadium at 6.10pm to complete a nine-hour football marathon that will start with Port Adelaide hosting Richmond, followed by Sydney and Melbourne at the SCG.

The AFL has brought forward the Adelaide Oval game by 40 minutes to a 12 noon opening bounce (12.30pm AEST) to ensure there is no overlap of games on the final day of the season.

It is the template for what is hoped will become the permanent Sunday schedule going forward.

And while it is foolish to make too many predictions based on what has been a wild season, the AFL has estimated that all six teams on that final day will be playing for something substantial, either a place in the eight, the double chance or home finals.

There are massive games throughout the weekend.

Essendon hosts Collingwood at the MCG on Friday night, with the Bombers likely to be a live chance to make the finals at the start of the round.

St Kilda might need to beat Brisbane at the Gabba in the Saturday twilight game to book a finals berth while the Lions are still eyeing a top-two finish.

The Saturday night Geelong-Western Bulldogs clash has real ‘win and get-in’ potential, while at the same time, ladder projections also suggest that Adelaide will need to take care of business against West Coast at Optus Stadium to make the finals.

Saturday afternoon will be the time for the ‘dead rubbers’ with the North Melbourne-Gold Coast clash at Blundstone Arena and Hawthorn hosting Fremantle at the MCG.