The 2023 AFL finals are almost upon us. The matches, dates and times for week 1 of the finals series have been locked in.
2023 AFL finals series
Week 1
Thursday, September 7, 7:20pm: First qualifying final, Collingwood vs Melbourne at the MCG
Premiership favourites for most of the season, Collingwood have a preliminary final spot on the line as they take on an in-form Melbourne in an MCG blockbuster.
The Pies will be without Nick Daicos but should welcome back captain Darcy Moore; having teetered to end the home-and-away season, are they ripe for the picking or good enough to hold the Dees at bay?
Friday, September 8, 7:50pm: First elimination final, Carlton vs Sydney Swans at the MCG
The Blues’ nine-game winning streak might have come to an end at the hands of GWS in the last round, but despite that and sitting fifth, Michael Voss’ team remain one of the premiership favourites.
Standing in their way is a Swans outfit who likewise saw a strong winning streak end in the final round, but having been 15th three-quarters of the way through the season, last year’s runner-up won’t want their strong turnaround to finish the home-and-away rounds to have been in vain.
Saturday, September 9, 3:20pm: Second elimination final, St Kilda vs GWS Giants at the MCG
Much to everyone’s surprise, St Kilda have defied both pre-season predictions and middling form at times to not only make it to September, but with a home final to boot.
Despite a bid to play the match at the Saints’ home ground of Marvel Stadium, the game will be played at the MCG; given the Giants have played their once this season, when they were thrashed by Collingwood in Round 9, that may actually be to the Saints’ advantage.
Saturday, September 9, 7:25pm: Second qualifying final, Brisbane Lions vs Port Adelaide at the Gabba
The Lions’ surge to end the home-and-away season booked them a home qualifying final, percentage clear of the third-placed Power.
Second behind Collingwood for much of the season, four consecutive losses late in the year before rallying to avoid dropping out of the four entirely has made life difficult for Port, but their best is definitely good enough to inflict on the Lions their first home defeat in more than 12 months.
Week 2
Friday, September 15, TBD: First semi final, QF1 Loser vs EF1 winner at QF1 loser’s home ground
Saturday, September 16, TBD: Second semi final, QF2 Loser vs EF2 winner at QF2 loser’s home ground
The second week of the finals pits the two qualifying final losers against the two elimination final victors, with every final from here a win or go home matter.
Week 3
Friday, September 22, TBD: First preliminary final, QF1 Winner vs SF2 Winner at QF1 winner’s home ground
Saturday, September 23, TBD: Second preliminary final, QF2 Winner vs SF1 Winner at QF2 winner’s home ground
The penultimate week of the year sees the two qualifying final winners host the two semi-final victors, with grand final spots up for grabs.
Each qualifying final winner will play a side from the opposite side of the finals draw: for instance, a team that finishes 1st and wins their qualifying final over 4th will play a side that finished 2nd, 3rd, 6th or 7th, whichever one wins their semi final.
Week 4
Saturda, September 30, 2:30pm: Grand final, PF1 winner vs PF2 winner at the MCG
The two preliminary finalists meet on the AFL’s most prestigious day of all: the grand final.
Having been locked in for the traditional 2:30pm timeslot in May, the MCG will once again play host to the biggest match of the season on the last Saturday in September.
