The AFL has today confirmed the fixture for Week One of the 2023 Smithy’s VFL Finals Series.
Saturday, September 2
Second Elimination Final, Footscray Bulldogs (6th) vs. Casey Demons (7th)
Box Hill City Oval, 12:00pm AEST
Broadcaster: Seven Network and AFL.com.au
Second Qualifying Final, Werribee (2nd) vs. Box Hill Hawks (3rd)
Avalon Airport Oval, 2:05pm AEST
Broadcaster: AFL.com.au
First Elimination Final, Williamstown (5th) vs. Collingwood (8th)
DSV Stadium, 3:00pm AEST
Broadcaster: Seven Network and AFL.com.au
First Qualifying Final, Gold Coast Suns (1st) vs. Brisbane Lions (4th)
Heritage Bank Stadium, 6:05pm AEST
Broadcaster: AFL.com.au
Casey Demons and Collingwood both advanced to the 2023 Smithy’s VFL Finals Series with wins in the inaugural Wildcard Round.
The top-six teams on the ladder at the conclusion of the 2023 Smithy’s VFL home-and-away season had a bye during Wildcard Round having advanced directly to the 2023 Smithy’s VFL Finals Series.
AFL Head of State League Competitions Jennie Loughnan said: “We are extremely excited for the 2023 Smithy’s VFL Finals Series to begin following last weekend’s inaugural Wildcard Round which saw the final two spots in the finals decided.
"This weekend’s action features four great matches and is a fantastic way to kick off this year’s finals series where the premiership race looks wide open.
“There are three matches in Melbourne, which includes two Victorian standalone clubs hosting home finals.
“We are equally pleased to have another final being played in Queensland, with the QClash between Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions providing a great opportunity to continue to take the competition to a wider audience.
“On behalf of the AFL, I would like to thank all clubs, players, umpires, venues and our broadcast and commercial partners for their tremendous support of the Smithy’s VFL in 2023 and wish all eight clubs the best of luck for the finals.”
The 2023 Smithy’s VFL season featured 21 teams who each played 18 matches across a 22-round fixture.
Casey Demons are the reigning premiers after defeating the Southport Sharks by 32 points in the 2022 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final.
2023 Smithy’s VFL Finals Series and Wildcard Round Structure
(Please click here for 2023 Smithy's VFL Finals Series and Wildcard Round explainer)
Wildcard Round
Sunday, August 27
Wildcard Round Game One: Casey Demons (7th) 20.14 (134) def North Melbourne (10th) 5.3 (33)
Wildcard Round Game Two: Collingwood (8th) 21.9 (135) def Richmond (9th) 8.12 (60)
Qualifying and Elimination Finals
Saturday, September 2
First Qualifying Final: 1st vs. 4th
Second Qualifying Final: 2nd vs. 3rd
First Elimination Final: 5th vs. Lowest-ranked Wildcard Round winner (became 8th)
Second Elimination Final: 6th vs. Highest-ranked Wildcard Round winner (became 7th)
Semi Finals
Saturday, September 9 and/or Sunday, September 10
First Semi Final: Loser of First Qualifying Final vs. Winner of First Elimination Final
Second Semi Final: Loser of Second Qualifying Final vs. Winner of Second Elimination Final
Preliminary Finals
Saturday, September 16
First Preliminary Final: Winner of First Qualifying Final vs. Winner of Second Semi Final
Second Preliminary Final: Winner of Second Qualifying Final vs. Winner of First Semi Final
Grand Final
Sunday, September 24
Grand Final: Winner of First Preliminary Final vs. Winner of Second Preliminary Final
The AFL has confirmed IKON Park will host the 2023 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final on Sunday, September 24 unless two Queensland-based teams are competing.
In the event of two Queensland-based teams reaching the 2023 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final, the match will be played on Sunday, September 24 at Brighton Homes Arena.
Ticketing
Admission prices for the 2023 Smithy’s VFL Finals Series are as follows:
For matches through to the preliminary finals, admission prices will be adults $15, concession/pensioners $10 and children under 15 free.*
For the 2023 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final, admission prices will be adults $20, concession/pensioners $15 and children under 15 free.
Tickets for this weekend’s matches can be pre-purchased at www.intix.com.au/org/vfl. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate, subject to capacity. Spectators purchasing at the gate are advised the payment method is EFTPOS only.
*Entry into finals played in Queensland will be free of charge.
Broadcast
The AFL is pleased to confirm that seven matches in the 2023 Smithy’s VFL Finals Series and Wildcard Round will be broadcast live and free on the Seven Network via Channel 7 and 7plus, including the 2023 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final. Viewers outside of Victoria can tune in to Seven’s VFL coverage via 7plus.
All matches, including the 2023 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final, will be streamed live and free on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App.
