HAWTHORN wants to farewell retiring champion Luke Hodge on the Friday night stage, with the club lodging a request with the AFL as the League finalises its Round 23 fixture.
The Hawks face the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium in their final home-and-away game of the season, with the club working on its farewell plans for the three-time premiership captain and dual Norm Smith medallist.
Fairfax Media reported the other matches slated for the Friday night timeslot were Geelong's clash with Greater Western Sydney (Simonds Stadium) and West Coast's clash with Adelaide (Domain Stadium).
"We have spoken with the AFL and requested to host our Round 23 fixture against the Western Bulldogs on Friday night," Hawthorn chief executive Tracey Gaudry told Fairfax Media.
"Being the premier timeslot, it provides the club, our members and the broader football community the opportunity to farewell one of the greats of the game in Luke Hodge.
"We are currently working through plans for how best to celebrate and recognise Luke's final game in the brown and gold, which given our ladder position may be in Round 23."
The Bulldogs, who could yet make a late run to play finals, also have favourite sons Bob Murphy and Matthew Boyd facing decisions on whether they play on next season.
The final round of the season is a floating fixture, allowing the League to schedule games with consideration to likely finals match-ups.
The AFL released the details of its Round 23 fixture on July 26 last year, but a delay is expected this season given the even nature of the ladder and the numerous scenarios still in play.
