The AFL is pleased to announce that IKON Park will host the 2022 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final.
IKON Park hosted the competition’s most recent grand final in 2019, when Richmond won a three-point thriller over Williamstown, and will again host the 2022 premiership decider on Sunday September 18. The first bounce will take place at 2.30pm.
The 2022 Smithy’s VFL competition features 21 teams with each team playing 18 matches. The home-and-away season concludes with Round 22 to be played this weekend.
Eight teams will contest the four-week finals series, which will begin on the final weekend of August and culminate in the 2022 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final.
The AFL has confirmed the higher ranked team on the Smithy’s VFL Ladder at the conclusion of the home-and-away season will play host to matches in Weeks One to Three of the 2022 Smithy’s VFL Finals Series.
The AFL will make alternate venue arrangements should any clubs not be able to host a final at their home venue during Weeks One to Three.
The AFL is also pleased to confirm that seven matches in the 2022 Smithy’s VFL Finals Series will be broadcast live and free on the Seven Network via Channel 7 and 7plus, including the 2022 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final. Viewers outside of Victoria can tune in to Seven’s VFL coverage via 7plus.
All finals, including the Smithy’s VFL Grand Final, will be streamed live and free on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App.
AFL Head of State League Competitions Jennie Loughnan said: “The 2022 Smithy’s VFL Finals Series marks an exciting time for our competition after two challenging years that have prevented us from playing finals football.
“We have witnessed an outstanding home-and-away season and we look forward to the finals with great anticipation as the best sides battle it out for this year’s premiership, which will be the first awarded since 2019.
“We are pleased to give clubs as much certainty as possible regarding finals venues. The potential to host matches in Queensland and New South Wales in Weeks One to Three of the 2022 Smithy’s VFL Finals Series brings a new dynamic to our competition and provides the opportunity to take the Smithy’s VFL to a wider audience.
“We strongly encourage all football supporters to come and enjoy a great day at the footy, where they can watch talented VFL and AFL-listed players representing the best-performed teams take to the field in the 2022 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final.
“On behalf of the AFL, I would like to acknowledge and thank all clubs, players, umpires, local councils and our broadcast and commercial partners for their tremendous support of the Smithy’s VFL competition throughout the 2022 season and wish all players and clubs the best of luck for the finals series.”
2022 Smithy’s VFL Finals Series Structure
Week One – Qualifying and Elimination Finals
Saturday August 27 and Sunday August 28
First Qualifying Final: 1st vs 4th
Second Qualifying Final: 2nd vs 3rd
First Elimination Final: 5th vs 8th
Second Elimination Final: 6th vs 7th
Week Two – Semi Finals
Saturday September 3 and Sunday September 4
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
Week Three – Preliminary Finals
Saturday September 10 and Sunday September 11
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
Week Four – Grand Final
Sunday September 18
Grand Final: Winner of First Preliminary Final vs Winner of Second Preliminary Final
(Ikon Park, 2:30pm)
Ticketing
All ticket prices for the 2022 Smithy’s VFL Finals Series will remain at 2019 prices.
In Weeks One to Three, for ticketed matches admission prices will be adults $15, concession/pensioners $10 and children under 15 free.
For the 2022 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final, admission prices will be adults $20, concession/pensioners $15 and children under 15 free.
Any further advice on ticketing arrangements will be provided ahead of each week of the finals series.
Media Accreditation
The AFL wishes to advise that existing VFL media accreditation and passes will remain in place and valid for the 2022 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final. Any media who have already been provided accreditation for the 2022 Smithy’s VFL season will not need to request accreditation for the 2022 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final.
VFL/W Awards Night
The 2022 VFL and VFLW Awards Night will be hosted at Palladium at Crown on Monday September 12. Among the awards that will be presented on the night are the J. J. Liston Trophy and Lambert-Pearce Medal.
