The Crows, who are without suspended star Izak Rankine, take on the fourth-ranked Magpies at Adelaide Oval on the Thursday night after this week's bye.
It falls less than three weeks after Rankine was handed a four-match ban for his homophobic slur directed at a Magpies opponent, during a thrilling round-23 match that Adelaide won by three points.
The second qualifying final will take place the following night, when Geelong host reigning premiers the Brisbane Lions at the MCG.
The two elimination finals - to be hosted by GWS and Fremantle - will be played on the Saturday.
However, the exact schedule won't be confirmed until after the make-up of the top eight is settled.
Gold Coast can still secure a finals berth for the first time in club history if they win - or even draw - their rescheduled clash with Essendon on Wednesday night.
If the injury-ravaged Bombers cause an upset, the Western Bulldogs will retain their spot in the top eight.
"Wednesday night's rescheduled game still has an impact on the final eight but with the top four locked in we wanted to give fans some certainty and allow them to plan," AFL fixtures boss Josh Bowler said.
"We still have an incredibly exciting final match of the home-and-away season to come with the Gold Coast Suns playing for a spot in their first finals series."
Hawthorn, who sit seventh, are also in limbo as they wait to learn whether they will slide to eighth position.
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