Overview:

After a long and action-packed season, eight teams remain to battle it out in the AFL finals series, but only one can win the ultimate prize in footy, the opportunity to lift the premiership cup on the last Saturday in September.

First Qualifying Final: Crows v Collingwood

The action kicks off on Thursday, September 4, with the Adelaide Crows hosting Collingwood at Adelaide Oval in a qualifying final blockbuster. The Crows have had a more consistent season, while Collingwood has shown inconsistent performances, losing three games consecutively before proving, they are still a threat after defeating the Melbourne Demons in Round 24.

Second Qualifying Final: Lions v Geelong Cats

The second qualifying final heads to the MCG, where Geelong will face the reigning premiers, the Brisbane Lions, on September 5. Both teams have displayed good form towards the end of the season; however, the Lions have lost three key players with season-ending injuries, Jack Payne, Noah Ainsworth, and Lincoln McCarthy, with midfielder Lachie Neale set to return from an injury, providing a boost to the Lions’ midfield.

First Elimination Final: Giants v Hawthorn

Footy finals head north to Engie Stadium, where the GWS Giants will face Hawthorn in a do-or-die elimination final on September 6. The Giants will have the home stadium advantage. Both teams have displayed consistent performances leading up to the match, with Hawthorn smashing Collingwood by 64 points back in round 22, while the Giants narrowly avoided losing an opportunity for a home elimination final with St Kilda challenging them in a round 24 clash, with the Giants only winning by 11 points.

Second Elimination Final: Dockers v Suns

Gold Coast Suns will get their taste of finals footy for the first time in the club’s short history after they dismantled Essendon in Round 24, knocking the Western Bulldogs out of having any hopes of playing finals footy. The Suns will now need to travel west to Optus Stadium in Perth on September 6 to play the Fremantle Dockers in the second elimination final. The Dockers will have the home stadium advantage, but the Suns have shown the league all season that they can pose a threat, defeating top clubs such as Adelaide Crows, Collingwood, Brisbane Lions and Hawthorn.

Wrap Up

With eight teams remaining, the first week of finals promises to deliver electrifying footy, but only six teams can make it to week two of the finals. Who will it be?