THE AFL has finalised its schedule of venues for matches in the 2008 NAB Cup and NAB Challenge to be played over the weekend of March 6-7.
The venue for the NAB Cup Grand Final will be determined under the competition rule whereby the team that kicks the most goals and super goals in its three preliminary matches wins the right to host the final. Going into this weekend's semi-finals, Adelaide has kicked 34 goals, Essendon 28 goals, St Kilda 28 goals and Hawthorn 18 goals.
For the NAB Challenge, the AFL will continue to place a strong emphasis on regional locations that don't normally host elite Australia football game with matches over this weekend to be played in Noarlunga, Casey Fields in suburban Melbourne, Shepparton and Manuka Oval in Canberra.
The teams for NAB Challenge matches at Skilled Stadium, Manuka, Casey Fields, MC Labour Park and Noarlunga were settled by the AFL today while the teams that will play West Coast at Subiaco and Collingwood at Shepparton will be determined after the results of this weekend's NAB Cup semi-finals.
The indicative fixture is as follows (all times are local):
NAB Cup Grand Final
Saturday, March 8
Winner of Adelaide/Hawthorn v Winner of Essendon/St Kilda at either AAMI Stadium or Telstra Dome, time to be confirmed
NAB Challenge (confirmed matches)
Friday March 7
Carlton v Western Bulldogs at MC Labour Park, 4.30pm
Geelong v Richmond at Skilled Stadium, 4.30pm
Saturday March 8
Sydney v Brisbane Lions at Manuka, 1pm
Melbourne v Kangaroos at Casey Fields, 2pm
Port Adelaide v Fremantle at Noarlunga, 2pm
Friday March 7
If Hawthorn loses to Adelaide
West Coast v Loser of Essendon/St Kilda, Subiaco, 6.40pm
Collingwood v Hawthorn, Shepparton, 7pm
If Adelaide loses to Hawthorn
West Coast v Adelaide, Subiaco, 6.40pm
Collingwood v Loser of Essendon/St Kilda, Shepparton, 7pm
