Finals football returns to the Smithy's VFL for the first time in three years this weekend. Ahead of four massive matches, take a look back at how results panned out when each match-up last took place.

CASEY DEMONS (1st) vs. SYDNEY SWANS (4th)

First Qualifying Final: Casey Fields, Saturday 1:05pm AEST

Last time they met: Round 11, Casey Demons 12.11 (83) def Sydney Swans 6.8 (44) at MCG

CASEY Demons proved too strong for the Sydney Swans when the two sides met at the MCG in Round 11, scoring a 39-point win in a curtain-raiser to the AFL clash between the Demons and Swans.

The Swans took a three-game winning streak into the encounter and looked a fancy to trouble the then unbeaten Demons.

Casey had the game under control in the first term, opening an 11-point lead at quarter time with fierce tackling and pressure forcing the Swans onto the back foot.

Sydney fought back gamely in the second quarter get within three points at half-time, but the eventual minor premier responded in style in the second half, booting four goals in 10 minutes to start the third quarter.

Neither team managed a goal from 12:03 in the third to 9:53 in the last as the game became an arm wrestle. However, a goal to Sydney's Matt Roberts that broke the deadlock only seemed to spark Casey into action and the Demons booted another four in a row to secure the result.

Trent Rivers was a standout in his first VFL game of the season after being omitted from Melbourne's AFL team and finished with 26 disposals, seven marks and seven rebounds. Jimmy Munro (25, 10 clearances, eight entries) and Luke Dunstan (24, nine clearances) were leading contributors in the victory.

Lewis Taylor was enourmous for the beaten Swans, piling up 40 possessions, seven marks, four clearances, while Ryan Clarke (33, 11 marks, 10 tackles) and Will Gould (26, 10 marks) also fought hard.

BRISBANE LIONS (2nd) vs. SOUTHPORT SHARKS (3rd)

Second Qualifying Final: Moreton Bay Sports Complex, Saturday 1:35pm AEST

Last time they met: Round 10, Southport Sharks 16.12 (108) def Brisbane Lions 10.12 (72) at Austworld Centre Oval

THIS was a win that confirmed Southport's status as a genuine premiership contender in 2022.

The Sharks climbed into second spot on the ladder after shaking off the Brisbane Lions by 36 points at Carrara’s Austworld Centre Oval in Round 10.

The Lions led by six points when Blake Coleman kicked his second goal at the 16-minute mark of the second term, but the Sharks flicked the switch with five goals before half-time and the first four of the third term to barge out to a 49-point advantage against their Queensland rival.

Southport had winners all over the ground in the 16.12 (108) to 10.12 (72) result, with co-captain Jacob Dawson leading the charge with 34 disposals, seven clearances and two goals.

Billy Gowers (30 disposals, seven marks, five clearances, five inside-50s, two goals) and Dawson’s co-captain Michael Manteit (28 disposals, 11 marks) also starred, while Jay Lockhart (24 disposals, 13 marks, nine inside-50s, one goal), Boyd Woodcock (24 disposals, seven marks, six clearances, seven inside-50s, one goal) and Fraser Thurlow (six marks, 24 hitouts) impressed.

Rhys Mathieson (37 disposals, five marks, eight clearances, seven inside-50s) was the best of the Lions, with support coming from Ely Smith (23 disposals, five clearances, six inside-50s) and Tom Berry (20, one goal).

Brisbane responded to the loss in style, winning its next five games and nine of its final ten to climb to second spot on the ladder by season's end.

COLLINGWOOD (6th) vs. CARLTON (7th)

Second Elimination Final: Victoria Park, Sunday 1:05pm AEST

Last time they met: Round 22, Carlton 7.9 (51) def Collingwood 5.11 (41) at MCG

YOU don't need to cast your mind back too far to remember the most recent clash between Collingwood and Carlton, with the fierce rivals set to play each other for the second-consecutive week.

The Blues and Magpies met at the MCG on the final day of the 2022 Smithy's VFL home-and-away season, with the Blues saluting in the must-win game to secure their place in the finals and deny Richmond a chance to defend its 2019 flag in this year's finals series.

It was a tight tussle all day, with only 12 goals kicked across the afternoon.

With scores tied at 37-apiece at the last change, it was Carlton who was able to lift in the last term, with goals to Brodie Kemp and Ben Crocker handing the Blues a well-deserved finals berth and setting up a a promoter's dream in the second elimination final. 

Will Hayes was instrumental, picking up 26 disposals, 12 marks and six inside-50s. Alex Cincotta (26 disposals, eight rebounds), Paddy Dow (24, seven clearances), Joel Trudgeon (23, six tackles) and Tyreece Lieu (19, eight marks, six rebounds) were also important, while Ned Cahill was lively up forward and finished with a game-high three goals.

Callum Brown (36, seven marks, six clearances) was enormous for Collingwood, while Trey Ruscoe (30, 13 marks, 11 contested), Lachie Tardrew (28, six marks, 10 contested, five rebounds) and Josh Carmichael (20, five marks, six tackles, five rebounds, two goals) were also among the best players for the Pies.

GOLD COAST SUNS (5th) vs. BOX HILL HAWKS (8th)

First Elimination Final: Metricon Stadium, Sunday 6:05pm AEST

Last time they met: Round 10, Gold Coast Suns 13.11 (89) def by Box Hill Hawks 17.9 (111) at Metricon Stadium

We're in for a treat this weekend if the last encounter between the Gold Coast Suns and Box Hill Hawks is anything to go by.

In a high-standard clash at Metricon Stadium in Round 10 it was the Hawks who prevailed by 22 points.

The sides shared 12 goals during a highly-entertaining first term, before the Suns opened up a 15-point lead midway through the second term after kicking six out of seven goals either side of quarter-time.

Box Hill able to stem the flow and majors to Brady Grey and Fergus Greene had the Hawks within a kick at the main break. The visitors then banged on the first four goals of the third term to grab an advantage they wouldn’t relinquish.

Gold Coast finished with the top four ball winners on the ground, led by Brayden Fiorini who racked up a whopping 40 possessions, six marks, 10 clearances, eight inside-50s and two goals.

Jack Bowes (30 disposals, 14 clearances, nine inside-50s), Sam Flanders (26, six inside-50s, two goals) and Darcy Macpherson (29 touches) also found plenty of the ball, while Chris Burgess booted four goals.

However, Box Hill had a more even spread of contributors, with 20 players earning double-figure disposals. Among the best were former captain Damian Mascitti (26, six marks, 10 rebounds) in defence and Jackson Callow (19, six marks, four goals) and Ben Cavarra (19, seven marks, three goals), while Fergus Greene finished with four goals.

To thank football fans for their outstanding support throughout the 2022 season, the AFL is pleased to announce that entry to all matches in Week One of the 2022 Smithy’s VFL Finals Series is free.

Ticket prices in Weeks Two and Three of the 2022 Smithy’s VFL Finals Series will remain at 2019 prices. 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.

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 Smithy’s VFL coverage via 7plus.

This week's Seven Network broadcast matches will be Casey Demons vs. Sydney Swans on Saturday and Collingwood vs. Carlton on Sunday. The match between Casey Demons and Sydney Swans will be broadcast on 7mate in Sydney.

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.