The start times have changed for two of Saturday's round 24 games, with the clash between Hawthorn and North Melbourne brought forward to an earlier afternoon start while the Richmond and Gold Coast match has been pushed back to a later start time. The changes were made because of electricity concerns at UTAS Stadium, where the Hawks and Roos were due to meet in the twilight slot. However, the clash will now kick off at 12.30pm AEST to eliminate the requirement for light towers during the game, while the Tigers and Suns match at the MCG will kick-off at 3.20pm AEST. The move will avoid three games being played at the one time, with Geelong hosting West Coast at GMHBA Stadium at 1.45pm AEST. Launceston has been impacted by industrial action form electrical workers, with the decision to move the start time forward ensuring lighting won't be a factor during the game. AFL CEO Andrew Dillon thanked clubs, broadcast partners, the venues and umpires and officials for collaboratively working together on a solution. “Due to circumstance out of our control we have made the decision to move to an earlier start time of 12.30pm for the Hawthorn v North Melbourne match and thank everyone involved in working through this,” Dillon said. “The later start time for the Richmond and Gold Coast match means we do not have three games being played at once and fans tuning into the broadcast will also be able to celebrate Dustin Martin's lap of honour at the MCG. “Round 24 is set to be one of the biggest rounds of all time with top eight spots on the line all throughout the weekend, we could not ask for a better ending to the 2024 home and away season.” It's the Kangaroos' final game of the season, but the seventh-placed Hawks need to win to guarantee their top-eight spot. Finn Maginness is in for the Hawks to replace the injured Will Day, while the Roos have recalled Will Phillips, Toby Pink and Blake Drury in place of Charlie Comben, Miller Bergman and Eddie Ford. The Tigers will farewell retiring stars Dustin Martin and Dylan Grimes at the MCG, while it might also be the last opportunity for fans to see some other old favourites run out in yellow and black. Richmond regains Liam Baker, Maurice Rioli jnr and the retiring Marlion Pickett for the game, with Jacob Blight, James Trezise and Matt Coulthard out. The Suns have made two changes as Jack Lukosius and Alex Sexton come in for David Swallow and Jed Walter. Ticket holders will be contacted directly by the ticketing agents regarding changes to the match arrangements. A pay dispute between Tasmania's electrical workers union and TasNetworks has thrown tomorrow's AFL clash between Hawthorn and North Melbourne in Launceston into chaos, with the league forced to reschedule the game. The AFL has shifted the fixture from 4:40pm to 12:30pm tomorrow, in a bid to mitigate a potential loss of power at the venue — namely, the stadium lighting. The Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) is holding out for a pay increase for TasNetworks staff, with tomorrow's game caught in the crossfire amid a stall in negotiations. Recent power outages in Launceston, which saw the University of Tasmania's Inveresk campus without power for 36 hours this week, have also affected nearby York Park, which is slated to host the crucial final round fixture. With industrial action underway, including a union-imposed 'switching ban', unionised TasNetworks workers would currently not answer the call should an outage hit York Park during tomorrow's clash, potentially throwing the game — and broader AFL season — into disarray. Launceston's York Park was briefly without power on Tuesday, and it's power source is still unsteady. When your power goes out, it's only natural to want it resolved as soon as possible. Here's why in Tasmania that might not happen. Interstate contractors are being encouraged by the union not to cross picket lines should they be called upon to resolve any power outage. It's forced the AFL into discussions with the state government and TasNetworks to find a contingency plan. The league opted for a time shift rather than relocating the match to Docklands Stadium in Melbourne or Bellerive Oval in Hobart — a move that would have brought vast logistical challenges with both teams already in Launceston, and broadcast trucks already bumped in. A relocation of the clash between Hawthorn and North Melbourne was considered, but too great a logistical challenge.  Ticketing, corporate requirements and contractual obligations between Hawthorn and the Tasmanian government would also need to be considered — as well as the ramifications of shifting the match, which is crucial to not only Hawthorn's top eight hopes but also the final makeup of the AFL ladder, which will determine the draft order. Hawthorn and North Melbourne have contacted members and ticket holders to the game informing them of changes to the match, while AFL CEO Andrew Dillon thanked stakeholders. “Due to circumstances out of our control we have made the decision to move to an earlier start time of 12:30pm for the Hawthorn v North Melbourne match and thank everyone involved in working through this,” Mr Dillon said. The match between Hawthorn and North Melbourne has been rescheduled, and will now start at 12:30pm. The match between Richmond and Gold Coast has also been moved from its 2:10pm time slot to the later start of 3:20pm. “The later start time for the Richmond and Gold Coast Suns match means we do not have three games being played at once and fans tuning into the broadcast will also be able to celebrate Dustin Martin's lap of honour at the MCG.” he said. In a statement, TasNetworks chief executive Sean McGoldrick told the ABC that “the power is on at the UTAS Stadium [York Park], and our network is secure”. But that “due to CEPU union-led action, restoration to any unplanned outage is not guaranteed”. Mr McGoldrick said the York Park power source is currently secure, but that any unplanned outage could be dire. “It is disappointing that union-led industrial action has even created speculation about the status of the game.” The CEPU is seeking “pay parity” with mainland counterparts, who they say are paid up to 30 per cent more for “doing exactly the same job”. TasNetworks workers are among those who have been involved in industrial action this week. TasNetworks' increased pay offer includes a year one pay increase of 7 per cent with a one-off payment of $2,000, before pay increases in years two and three, linked to inflation. The AFL has been contacted for comment. The AFL has brought forward Saturday's game between Hawthorn and North Melbourne in Launceston by more than four hours due to industrial action by local electrical workers. Rescheduling the game from 4.40pm to 12.30pm AEST has also prompted the league to push back Richmond's match against Gold Coast at the MCG from 2.10pm to 3.20pm. Geelong's game against West Coast at GMHBA Stadium at 1.45pm is unaffected. York Park (University of Tasmania Stadium) is among places caught up in power outage drama in Launceston this week. TasNetworks chief executive Sean McGoldrick told the ABC the power was on at York Park and the network was secure. But if there is an outage on Saturday, TasNetworks staff do not intend to intervene. That is due to a pay dispute between Tasmania's electrical workers union, The Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) and TasNetworks. The CEPU is attempting to secure a pay increase for TasNetworks staff. The action made the original 4.40pm start time unfeasible, given floodlights would have been required for a large portion of the game. “Due to circumstance out of our control we have made the decision to move to an earlier start time of 12.30pm for the Hawthorn v North Melbourne match and thank everyone involved in working through this,” AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said in a statement. “The later start time for the Richmond and Gold Coast Suns match means we do not have three games being played at once and fans tuning into the broadcast will also be able to celebrate (retiring Tiger) Dustin Martin's lap of honour at the MCG.” It is unclear how significant a power outage would be if it occurred during the rescheduled Hawthorn-North game, but the time change will still clearly affect some fans - especially those travelling from interstate. The AFL said ticket holders for the two affected games would be contacted. Other options were to move the game to Blundstone Arena in Hobart or back to Melbourne - given Marvel Stadium is empty on Saturday. The game is crucial to the Hawks' finals hopes. They can seal a top-eight berth with a win - but are at risk of missing out if they lose. Both teams were due to fly to Launceston on Friday. Hawthorn will host North Melbourne at UTAS Stadium in the last round of the home and away season. Hawthorn will host North Melbourne in a Round 24 clash at UTAS Stadium this Saturday afternoon. This marks the Hawks fourth and final game in Tasmania for the 2024 season as they look to seal a finals berth. Here's all you need to know ahead of the game: WHO: Hawthorn v North MelbourneWHAT: Round 24WHERE: UTAS Stadium, LauncestonWHEN: Saturday 24 August, 4.40pmBROADCAST: Fox Footy/Kayo How to watch Following along at home? The game will be broadcast on Fox Footy and can be streamed through Kayo. Don’t have Kayo? Click HERE to check out our Hawks on Demand membership and save on 12 months of Kayo. Follow @hawthornfc on Instagram, X and Facebook to remain updated on all the behind-the-scenes action on game day. Last time we met Hawthorn (113) defeated North Melbourne (68) in Round 6, 2023. Hawthorn managed its first win of the 2024 season against North Melbourne back in Round 6. The rampant Hawks piled on nine consecutive goals in a game-busting blitz before half-time to set the foundation for the win. Jai Newcombe (32 disposals, nine clearances), Conor Nash (32, 10) and Connor Macdonald (24, one) were standouts for the Hawks in the midfield and small forward Dylan Moore equalled his career-best haul with four goals. Jack Ginnivan, Mabior Chol, Karl Amon and Lloyd Meek all managed two each, among the 10 goal-kickers in Hawthorn's strong spread of contributors.   Our last game Hawthorn (131) defeated Richmond (68), Round 23, 2024. A clinical run of nine consecutive goals early set the Hawks up for a 63-point win over the Tigers at the MCG. Star midfielder Jai Newcombe produced one of his best performances of 2024, amassing 11 disposals, five clearances and a goal in the first quarter and finishing with 33 touches, 15 contested possessions, 14 score involvements, nine clearances and seven inside 50s. James Worpel was just as influential with 29 disposals and two goals, while Massimo D'Ambrosio and Karl Amon inflicted plenty of damage on the outside from a wing and half-back. Jack Gunston showed why he should go round again in 2025, slotting a season-high five goals, while Nick Watson and Calsher Dear kicked three goals each.   What’s on? Hawks fans at UTAS Stadium can look forward to the Chemist Warehouse activation pregame outside gate 4. Quarter time will see a KFC Bucket Catch and an iiNet Speed Test at three-quarter time.   Tickets and Membership Members have usual home game access, including reserved seat for reserved seat holders.General admission will be standing room only, members can upgrade to a reserved seat via Ticketmaster.If you have any further questions, please contact the Membership Team on (03) 9535 3045 or email [email protected] Getting to the game  Public transport is recommended to get to the game.  Visit Metro Tasmania for timetables. Hawthorn’s Round 24 clash with North Melbourne will have a rescheduled start time of 12.30pm AEST.