Friday night's clash between Essendon and the Western Bulldogs is set to be pushed to Saturday in making way for the Cats and Giants.

An AFLPA agreement won't permit the Bombers to play off the back of another five-day break, having already faced a short turnaround in 2021.

Clubs aren't able to play off multiple five-day breaks in the one season, meaning Essendon's must-win clash against the Bulldogs on Friday is set to be moved to Saturday at the earliest, perย The Herald Sun.

The open prime-time window is reportedly set to see Geelong's clash with Greater Western Sydney at GMHBA Stadium bumped to the Friday night lights in front of no fans.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 01: Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats runs the ball during the round 15 AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Geelong Cats at Spotless Stadium on July 1, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/AFL Media/Getty Images)

That match, along with Blues/Suns and Tigers/Kangaroos, is currently listed as TBC by the league as the AFL looks to work around the ongoing COVID virus currently impacting several states drastically with forced lockdowns.

These challenges forced several clubs to move interstate from their Queensland hubs and homes on the weekend, while bringing two matches from last Saturday back a day following a snap three-day lockdown for South-East Queensland.

That lockdown has now been extended until Sunday afternoon, while New South Wales are facing further weeks under their own strict restrictions.

The AFL has looked to Victoria as a safety net, despite crowds unlikely to be permitted this weekend.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 17: Oscar Allen of the Eagles competes for a mark with Tom McDonald of the Demons during the 2019 AFL round 09 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Melbourne Demons at Optus Stadium on May 17, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos)

Football has also continued in Western Australia, which is set to host two matches in Round 21.

One of those matches are likely to be placed on Monday night, with the Demons now requiring a delayed quarantine period after having their match against the Suns moved to Sunday.

The forced change is set to see the Eagles host Melbourne on Monday night, while the Lions will also venture west and face Fremantle on Sunday afternoon.