The AFL has also confirmed as much as possible of the preliminary final fixtures for the third week of the finals series. They will be:
Geelong Cats vs TBA (winner of first semi-final)
Second preliminary final
Time: 7:50pm (AEST)
Date: Friday, September 23
Venue: MCG
GWS Giants vs TBA (winner of second semi-final)
First preliminary final
Time: TBA
Date: Saturday, September 24
Venue: Spotless Stadium
These fixtures are the result of a thrilling weekend of footy that saw matches that were both surprising and entertaining.
On Thursday night the Western Bulldogs pulled off a major upset to knock off the West Coast Eagles at Domain Stadium.
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That sees them go through to a semi-final against Hawthorn, after the Hawks were beaten by the Geelong Cats on Friday night.
That Friday night match was only resolved after Isaac Smith missed a shot on goal that would have won the game after the siren.
That result also means the Cats will get a week off before playing a preliminary final against the winner of the first semi-final.
That semi-final will be played between the Sydney Swans and the Adelaide Crows, after they experienced markedly different fortunes in the first week.
The ladder leaders and premiership favourites, Sydney, were belted by ‘younger brother’ GWS at ANZ Stadium.
The Adelaide Crows on the other hand made short work of a tired and injury-stricken North Melbourne side at Adelaide Oval.
GWS’ win over the Swans means they go through to a preliminary final on their home turf at Spotless Stadium against the winner of the Hawthorn vs Bulldogs game.