AFL rounds 23 will feature two marquee matches at the MCG on Saturday, headlining Richmond vs St Kilda and Hawthorn vs Collingwood in a packed single-venue schedule.

The AFL has reshuffled the AFLW fixture to pair four double-headers with the final two rounds of the men’s season, balancing wild-card ambitions with broad fan access.

The plan includes high-profile double-headers starting with North Melbourne vs Geelong in both AFLW and AFL at Marvel Stadium on August 15, followed by more AFLM/AFLW double-headers the next week, culminating in a standalone Essendon vs Sydney AFL match after an AFLW clash between Brisbane and Essendon at Marvel.

Schedules have been adjusted to minimize clashes between men’s and women’s teams, though one Essendon vs Sydney clash remains unavoidable due to broader constraints.

The overarching aim is to maximize spectator opportunities and sustain interest in both leagues while managing logistical and club-level clashes.

The wildcard format is set to reduce six-day breaks and limit Sunday wildcard matchups, potentially affecting the traditional grandstand finish as teams are filtered for rest and safety.

The finals push is central, with emphasis on top-four contention, home finals, and September qualification shaping the closing rounds.

Readers can access the full fixture details and related coverage via click-through links.

The Victorian Government backs Kids Go Free and events like Footy Fest and the Grand Final Parade to boost community engagement and finals attendance.

Kids Go Free returns in Round 24 for children 14 and under, offering free general admission to six matches to drive family attendance ahead of finals.

AFL chief operations officer Tom Harley emphasizes giving fans opportunities to attend both AFL and AFLW games despite added scheduling complexity.

Some Round 23 matches are still awaiting confirmation, with three games yet to be detailed.