The AFL has revealed its full list of events in its 'celebration of football' weekend between round 23 and the first week of this year's finals series.
The gap between the end of the home and away season and the first round of the finals has seen the League look to introduce a number of initiatives as anticipation builds before September.
On Tuesday the League confirmed its fixture for the floating round 23, and announced its plans for the build-up to the finals series, which includes a range of restructured events and a focus on football at all levels.
Here is a list of the AFL's key events in that period:
Wednesday, August 31
- AFL launches the 2016 Toyota AFL Finals Series
- The AFL will receive the premiership cup and announce the Grand Final day presenters
Thursday, September 1
- The 2016 Virgin Australia AFL All Australian team is announced
Friday, September 2
- TradingPost.com EJ Whitten legends Game at Etihad Stadium, 7.50pm
- 2016 Finals Series Lunch presented by Centre Circle at Doltone House, Hyde Park, 12noon. Click here for more details on this event.
Saturday, September 3
- State league finals
- Women's exhibition match, the Hampson-Hardeman Cup at Whitten Oval, 7.10pm
- Game will feature a NAB Youth Girls All Stars curtain-raiser match
Tuesday, September 6
- The 2016 NAB AFL Rising Star is announced
The League will consider a Thursday night game to open the finals series, with chief executive Gillon McLachlan saying the AFL would also encourage all finalists to hold at least one open training session before their first final.
"The AFL wants to maximise the build-up and the interest for all eight teams who have qualified for the Toyota AFL Finals Series, and acknowledge the season just passed by having all leading players present for our key awards to celebrate all the milestones of the 2016 season," McLachlan said.
"The AFL will also work with all eight teams to schedule an open training session for fans as they prepare for their first finals match."
He said the bye week between round 23 and the finals allowed players with "niggling" injuries to prepare for the opening round.
