The AFL has released its fixture for Round 23, with Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs set to kick things off under Friday night lights at Etihad Stadium.

Unless the Hawks were to sneak into finals, the game will be four-time premiership star Luke Hodge’s final AFL hit out before hanging up the boots at the end of the season. 

Hawthorn CEO Tracey Gaudry previously told Fairfax Media that the prime-time fixture would allow Hawthorn fans to provide an appropriate farewell to their retiring great.

"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,” Gaudry said, when expressing the club’s interest in obtaining the Friday night fixture. 

"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."

Read: Hawks to appeal Hodge sanction

To add further intrigue, the Round 23 clash may end up being a battle for the final position in the eight. Percentage is the only thing currently keeping the Bulldogs out of the eight, while the Hawks sit just a game and a half below them. This weekend’s clash against the Tigers is a must win to keep Hawthorn’s season alive. 

Round 23 AFL fixture:

Friday, August 25
Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs (ES) 7.50PM AEST

Saturday, August 26
Collingwood v Melbourne (MCG) 1.45PM AEST
Brisbane Lions v North Melbourne (Gabba) 2.10PM AEST
Sydney v Carlton (SCG) 4.35PM AEST
Geelong v Greater Western Sydney (SS) 7.25PM AEST
Port Adelaide v Gold Coast (AO) 7.40PM AEST

Sunday, August 27
Essendon v Fremantle (ES) 1.10PM AEST
Richmond v St Kilda (MCG) 3.20PM AEST
West Coast v Adelaide (DS) 4.40PM AEST