Essendon’s Round 23 blockbuster against Richmond at the MCG will be played on Saturday August 31.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 7.40pm.

The AFL has confirmed the final round of the home and away season with the Bombers and Tigers match set to be the showcase of Saturday night football once again as it was in Round 9.

The league has also confirmed dates for October's Internationals Rules series in Ireland which could feature up to five Bombers.

The Indigenous All Stars and Irish will go head to head on Saturday October 19 at County Cavan's Kingspan Park followed by a decider the week later on Saturday October 26 at Dublin's iconic Croke Park..

The Australians will also play a practice match in Dublin on October 16, two days after arriving in the Emerald Isle.

Friday, August 30
Sydney v Hawthorn (ANZ Stadum) 7.50pm

Saturday, August 31
St. Kilda v Fremantle (Etihad Stadium) 1.45pm
Geelong v Brisbane (Simmonds Stadium) 2.10pm
Port Adelaide v Carlton (AAMI Stadium) 4.40pm
Essendon v Richmond (MCG) 7.40pm
West Coast v Adelaide (Patersons Stadium) 8.10pm

Sunday, September 1
Gold Coast v GWS (Metricon Stadium) 1.10pm
Collingwood v North Melbourne (MCG) 3.20pm
Western Bulldogs v Melbourne (Etihad Stadium) 4.40pm