FROM farewells to finals form, round 22's storylines offer whatever motivation is needed to turn out for the end of the home and away season.
Friday August 27
Fremantle v Carlton at Subiaco Oval, 6.40pm AWST
Freo fans will need to get behind their side - which has made 10 changes - to lock in a home elimination final. Mark Harvey's men need to win to guarantee that opportunity while the Blues will be just as desperate to avoid travelling the following week.
Saturday August 28
Geelong Cats v West Coast at Skilled Stadium, 1.10pm AEST
Cats supporters should relish the opportunity to farewell their boys on their home turf before they embark on their fourth straight September campaign. It will also be Frank Costa's final game at the venue and the outgoing president will be farewelled by the club.
Hawthorn v Collingwood at the MCG, 2.10pm AEST
Leigh Brown's suspension has paved the way for forgotten Collingwood big man Josh Fraser to slip back in for his long-awaited 200th game. Fraser's Pies will be facing a side that, like Fremantle and Carlton, will be doing all it can to ensure it stays at home for the first week of finals.
Adelaide v St Kilda at AAMI Stadium, 3.40pm ACST
Turn up to AAMI Stadium as the Crows send off four of their favourites. Retirees Simon Goodwin, Andrew McLeod, Brett Burton and Trent Hentschel will complete a lap of honour after the final siren.
Western Bulldogs v Essendon at Etihad Stadium, 7.10pm AEST
This match could best belong in a laboratory with both coaches sure to experiment with their line-ups. Rodney Eade needs to find a mix that works for finals given his cruel recent run of injuries while Matthew Knights, who had 19 players unavailable last week, might have to pull on the boots himself if he can't raise a team.
Brisbane Lions v Sydney Swans at the Gabba, 7.10pm AEST
It's Queensland's last taste of AFL for the year and the Lions' last game as the state's sole representatives. Given their links to the club down the road, it could also be the last time Jared Brennan and Michael Rischitelli run out in Lions colours. A win for the Swans could send them to an ANZ Stadium final.
Sunday August 29
Richmond v Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium, 2.10pm
See Jack Riewoldt claim the Coleman Medal and Matthew Primus make his final presentation for the top job at Alberton. Oh, and a quiet character by the name of Ben Cousins is set to play his last game, too.
Melbourne v North Melbourne at the MCG, 4.40pm
Melbourne captain James McDonald will play his last game while North forward Corey Jones has been brought in from the cold for one final dig. James Hird's favourite umpire Scott McLaren will also hang up his whistle after this one.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
