Ticketing information
• First qualifying final: Sydney Swans v Fremantle, ANZ Stadium
• Second qualifying final: Hawthorn v Geelong, MCG
• First elimination final: Port Adelaide v Richmond, Adelaide Oval
• Second elimination final: North Melbourne v Essendon, MCG
How and where to watch
• Click here to download the metro TV schedule
• Click here to download the regional TV schedule
HAWTHORN and Geelong will renew their enthralling rivalry to kick-start this year's finals series next Friday night in a qualifying final clash at the MCG. The AFL has confirmed the fixture for the first week of the finals, with the second-placed Hawks to take on the Cats in the second qualifying final at 7.50pm EST.
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The Sydney Swans will meet Fremantle in the first qualifying final at ANZ Stadium next Saturday afternoon, with the first bounce set for 2.45pm EST.
The Dockers clinched their finals double chance with a thrilling win over Port Adelaide on Saturday, while the Swans held on to top spot on the ladder despite a close defeat to Richmond.
AFL chief executive Gill McLachlan said the league had consulted the Swans, as the first-placed side, about their wishes to have a seven-day break heading into their first final.
"It was the AFL's view that the two qualifying finals between the top four teams deserved to be played as the opening two matches of the finals series, so that the losers of these matches had the longer breaks leading into week two of the finals series than their prospective opponents," McLachlan said in a statement.
Round one of the finals will continue at the MCG next Saturday night, when Victorian rivals North Melbourne and Essendon meet for an elimination final battle.
The Bombers looked set to face an interstate trip in the opening week of the finals after their slow start against Carlton on Saturday, but the clubs' draw was enough for Mark Thompson's side to secure seventh position.
The first weekend of September action will finish at Adelaide Oval, when Port Adelaide faces Richmond on Sunday at 2.50pm local time.
The Tigers will enter the contest on the back of a remarkable nine-game winning streak but the Power has returned to some of its best form in recent weeks, despite being unable to finish in the top-four.WEEK ONE FINALS FIXTURE (all times local)
Friday night, MCG, 7.50pm
Hawthorn v Geelong (second qualifying final)
Saturday, ANZ Stadium, 2.45pm
Sydney Swans v Fremantle (first qualifying final)
Saturday night, MCG, 7.15pm
North Melbourne v Essendon (second elimination final)
Sunday, Adelaide Oval, 2.50pm
Port Adelaide v Richmond (first elimination final)
