The AFL has confirmed the fixture for Week One of the 2023 Toyota AFL Finals Series as follows:
Thursday, September 7
First Qualifying Final, Collingwood vs Melbourne, 7:20pm, MCG
Friday, September 8
First Elimination Final, Carlton vs Sydney Swans, 7:50pm, MCG
Saturday, September 9
Second Elimination Final, St Kilda vs GWS GIANTS, 3.20pm, MCG
Second Qualifying Final, Brisbane Lions vs Port Adelaide, 7:25pm, The Gabba
AFL Head of Broadcasting Operations and Scheduling Josh Bowler acknowledged all those who had contributed to the record breaking home and away season.
“This home and away season has broken a number of records and on behalf of the AFL I want to thank every club, player, coach, umpire, staff member, all our commercial and broadcast partners and the over seven million fans who have come to the footy this season,” Mr Bowler said.
“We now have eight deserving teams vying for a fairy tale ending to their season and a spot in the Grand Final on September 30.”
The Week One fixture seeks to maximise attendance and audience, while also balancing equitable days break between games for clubs as a result of aligning the two sides of the draw.
The Finals Series starts with a blockbuster match as minor Premiers Collingwood are set to host Melbourne at the MCG in the first Qualifying Final on Thursday night, followed by Carlton playing host to the Sydney Swans in the first Elimination Final on Friday night.
St Kilda will host the GWS GIANTS in the second Elimination Final on Saturday afternoon at the MCG, while Port Adelaide will travel to the Gabba in Brisbane as the Brisbane Lions play host in the second Qualifying Final on Saturday night.
Week Two of the Finals Series will see the loser of Collingwood and Melbourne play the winner of Carlton and the Sydney Swans, while the loser of Brisbane and Port Adelaide will play the winner of St Kilda and the GWS GIANTS, with venues and times for matches to be confirmed at the conclusion of Week One.
The AFL last week announced for the eighth year running a price freeze on entry level tickets for all matches across Weeks One to Three of the 2023 Toyota AFL Finals Series.
Match day ticket information for all games across the country will be released later this morning.
All matches in Week One of the 2023 Toyota AFL Finals Series will be broadcast live nationally on the Seven Network and Fox Footy and streamed live on Kayo.
The 2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final will be held at the MCG on Saturday, September 30 at 2:30pm AEST.
