AFL fixture: Power farewell clash headlines Friday double header
The league is set to release the round 24 fixture on Wednesday and clubs have been told it will feature the Essendon v Carlton contest as a standalone Thursday game.
Friday's fixture will see a farewell to Ken Hinkley and Travis Boak as the Power hosts Gold Coast, as well as the Pies-Demons clash in a double-header.
The Pies might still have to win that game to secure a top two position given the tight finals race.
As forecast there will be two big Sunday clashes including the Western Bulldogs v Fremantle clash in an afternoon slot then the Brisbane v Hawthorn night clash at the Gabba.
The round will finish with the Wednesday night clash in the week before the pre-finals bye between Gold Coast and Essendon, which might still decide the Suns' ladder finish.
The following night the AFL will host the AFL awards on the same night as Seven's new legends game featuring an array of former stars.
The league was still working through the round 24 fixture on Tuesday night and had not ruled out late game swaps but clubs expect it will go ahead as forecast.
The Suns were asked about their preference for playing both games across a weekend that sees them play two fixtures because of the delayed Cyclone Alfred game.
Port Adelaide was always keen to play the Suns clash on the Friday night to maximise the attendance of that farewell clash for Hinkley.
Hinkley is adamant he is not keen to be part of any farewell proceedings and will only take part in his usual mid-week press conference and post-match interviews.
But now Boak's retirement means that he will retire with 387 games and it will be a joint farewell to the two stalwarts.
The Suns are happy to play the Power with a six-day break to maximise their recovery leading into that clash.
Then they will have a five-day break leading into the Essendon clash at People First Stadium, with Essendon to have a six-day break before their second clash of that round.
Ideally for the Suns the Dons would have warehoused many of their stars before that round 24 clash, leading to a perfect run-in for the Suns before finals.
But if any of their players are concussed in that clash they will miss the club's historic first finals performance. Read related topics: Adelaide
Jon Ralph has covered sport with the Herald Sun, and now CODE Sports as well, for over two decades working primarily as a football journalist... (other fields) AFL
Sydney's vacant CEO position will be filled by 353-game Fremantle champion Matthew Pavlich. Josh Barnes has the details here. AFL
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