With the 2020 home-and-away season finally wrapped up, the AFL has now locked in the first week of the finals series.
There was still a bit to work out coming into Round 18, although St Kilda locked in the first piece of the puzzle when they crushed the Giants on Friday night to claim their first finals berth since 2011.
Melbourne gave themselves a sniff with a strong win over Essendon, but the Western Bulldogs were able to knock the Demons out to wrap up a finals spot. Geelong secured their top four spot after a nervy win over Sydney, Brisbane had a crack at the minor premiership with a win over Carlton, but Port Adelaide wrapped up he minor premiership with a win over Collingwood.
That makes the top eight for the 2020 season as follows;
1st – Port Adelaide
2nd – Brisbane Lions
3rd – Richmond
4th – Geelong Cats
5th – West Coast Eagles
6th – St Kilda
7th – Western Bulldogs
8th – Collingwood
For the fifth year in a row, the finals series will begin on a Thursday night, with the other three finals to be played on Friday night, Saturday afternoon and Saturday night.
The fixtures for week one of the 2020 AFL Finals series are below.
All times AEST Sydney/Melbourne time
First qualifying final: Port Adelaide Power vs Geelong Cats
Thursday, October 1, 7:40pm, Adelaide Oval
Second qualifying final: Brisbane Lions vs Richmond Tigers
Friday, October 2, 7:50pm, The Gabba
Second elimination final: St Kilda vs Western Bulldogs
Saturday, October 3, 4:40pm, The Gabba
First elimination final: West Coast Eagles vs Collingwood
Saturday, October 3, 8:10pm, Optus Stadium
ScottyJ
Roar Rookie
Looking like potentially a brilliant 1st week of finals only downside is Freo arent one of them.
Jb
Guest
Rubbish
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
"FIFA" and "integrity" ... those two words don't make sense in the same sentence.
Sir Luttinen
Roar Rookie
When FIFA or the IOC has more integrity than the AFL problems are a plenty.
Adam
Roar Guru
The NRL would like to talk to you...
berrlins
Roar Pro
bring on the Saints, I cannot wait
Nick
Roar Guru
Amen brother
Stirling Coates
Editor
Only the AFL could make a home team choosing where to play their home final controversial.
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
Good to see St Kilda get their wish to play at the Gabba. It wouldn’t have been a good look to force them to play in Adelaide just because Adelaide wanted more games.
Nick
Roar Guru
Good to see the wall to wall savaging of the AFL's initial proposal to put St Kilda at Adelaide was kyboshed. That's a win for the masses.