The AFL today finalised the fixture for Round 23 of the 2013 Toyota AFL Premiership season, with the Brisbane Lions set to face Geelong at Simonds Stadium on Saturday 31 August at 2:10pm.
The ‘floating’ nature of the Round 23 fixture meant that the exact date and time of the Lions’ return bout against Geelong was unknown before today.
The match will be played on a Saturday afternoon largely to allow the Cats time to prepare for the first week of the AFL Finals.
The Club are also offering an exclusive ‘Road Trip’ package for all Victorian-based Lions members planning on heading to Geelong for the team’s final home-and-away match for the season.
The ‘Road Trip’ package includes return bus travel to and from Simonds Stadium, as well as a reserved seat for the game in the Lions-only bay.
The full schedule of Round 23 games will be as follows (local time and host broadcaster in each case):
Friday August 30
Sydney Swans v Hawthorn at ANZ Stadium, 7.50pm (Channel 7)
Saturday August 31
St Kilda v Fremantle at Etihad Stadium, 1.45pm (Channel 7)
Geelong Cats v Brisbane Lions at Simonds Stadium, 2.10pm (Foxtel / Fox Sports)
Port Adelaide v Carlton at AAMI Stadium, 4.10pm (Foxtel / Fox Sports)
West Coast Eagles v Adelaide Crows at Patersons Stadium, 6.10pm (Foxtel / Fox Sports)
Essendon v Richmond at the MCG, 7.40pm (Channel 7)
Sunday September 1
Gold Coast Suns v GWS Giants at Metricon Stadium, 1.10pm (Foxtel / Fox Sports)
Collingwood v North Melbourne at the MCG, 3.20pm (Channel 7)
Western Bulldogs v Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, 4.40pm (Foxtel / Fox Sports)
ROUND 23 EXPLAINED
› The AFL has sought to maximise fixture options for week one of the 2013 Toyota AFL Finals Series by ensuring that a majority of sides in the top eight after round 18 of the home and away season will have played by Saturday, August 31.
› It was determined that the Sydney Swans and Hawthorn match should be scheduled on Friday night, given that Hawthorn is a travelling side and currently positioned on top of the ladder after round 18 of the home and away season. This will maximise the number of days’ break for the club before week one of the finals.
› As ANZ Stadium is hosting Friday night’s Sydney Swans vs. Hawthorn match, the two matches allocated to the MCG must be scheduled across Saturday and Sunday. It was determined that Essendon and Richmond, as the sides ranked higher on the ladder after round 18, should be scheduled first, with Collingwood and North Melbourne to then play on Sunday.
› Although it must travel interstate for the final round, being scheduled to play on Saturday afternoon ensures that Fremantle will be able to return home by Saturday night, maximising its preparation period leading into week one of the finals should it qualify.
› While Carlton was not in the top eight after round 18 of the home and away season, it was determined that given both it and opponent Port Adelaide are currently in contention, both should be granted the opportunity to play on Saturday, maximising the break for both clubs before week one of the finals should either qualify.
