2021 AFL Grand Final

2021 AFL Finals Week Three

2021 AFL Finals Week Three Friday, September 10, 7:50pm AEST First Preliminary Final Melbourne v Geelong Perth Stadium Saturday, September 11, 7:40pm AEST Second Preliminary Final Port Adelaide v Footscray Adelaide Oval

2021 AFL Finals Weeks Two and Three

2021 AFL Finals Weeks Two and Three
Friday, September 3, 7:50pm AEST Second Semi Final Geelong v GWS Perth Stadium	Saturday, September 4, Start Time TBC First Semi Final Brisbane v Footscray The Gabba
Friday, September 10, 7:50pm AEST First Preliminary Final Melbourne vs. Winner Second Semi Final Perth Stadium	Saturday, September 11, 7:40pm AEST Second Preliminary Final Port Adelaide v Winner First Semi Final Adelaide Oval

2020: AFL Finals Draw

2020: AFL Finals

The Age - Anthony Colangelo

• Qualifying final one: Port Adelaide v Geelong
• Qualifying final two: Brisbane Lions v Richmond
• Elimination final one: West Coast v Collingwood
• Elimination final two: St Kilda v Western Bulldogs

The make-up of the final eight and the first week of the 2020 finals series has been settled after Port Adelaide beat Collingwood on Monday night.

The Power's minor premiership means they avoid Richmond in the first week of finals and instead take on Geelong in a qualifying final, who have stuttered slightly in their last two games of the season.

The Tigers and Brisbane will go head-to-head in qualifying final number two.

It is a rematch of last year's qualifying final, where Richmond beat the Lions at the Gabba.

Collingwood, given their loss to Port, will face a stint in quarantine in Perth over the next couple of weeks heading into their elimination final with West Coast.

The Eagles, because they finished fifth, are set to be awarded a proper home final by the AFL and despite having restricted travel in Perth they will be allowed to stay in their own beds and train in their home facility in Western Australia.

The Eagles expect to regain stars including Luke Shuey, Dom Sheed and Mark Hutchings for the game.

The second elimination final will be the only all-Victorian affair of the first week of finals with the Western Bulldogs taking on St Kilda, in the Saints first final since 2011.

This match may also take place in Adelaide, along with the Port and Geelong match, with the AFL weighing up that decision.

The loser of the Geelong-Port Adelaide match will take on the winner of the Eagles and Pies clash in the second week of finals. The winner of the Saints-Dogs match will then play the loser of the Tigers and Lions qualifying final.

The finals begin on Thursday, October 1.

The AFL will release times and official venues later this week.

2019 Finals Draw: Week Three Preliminary Finals

2019 Qualifying Final: The Team & Preview

2019 Qualifying Final COLLINGWOOD v GEELONG Time & Place: Friday Sept. 6, 7:50pm AEST MCG TV: 7mate / Fox Footy 7:30pm AEST Weather: Min 10 Max 14 Chance of rain: 80% 5-10mm Wind: W 13kph Betting: Collingwood $2.10 Geelong $1.72

B: Levi Greenwood, Jordan Roughead, Jeremy Howe

HB: Jack Crisp, Darcy Moore, Brayden Maynard

C: Tom Phillips, Scott Pendlebury, Chris Mayne

HF: Steele Sidebottom, Brody Mihocek, Will Hoskin-Elliott

F: Jamie Elliott, Jordan De Goey, Jaidyn Stephenson

Foll: Brodie Grundy, Adam Treloar, Taylor Adams 

I/C: John Noble, Callum L. Brown, Josh Thomas, Rupert Wills

Emg: Matthew Scharenberg, Travis Varcoe, Jack Madgen, Josh Daicos

In: Steele Sidebottom, Jordan De Goey, Jaidyn Stephenson
Out: Matthew Scharenberg (Omitted), Jack Madgen (Omitted), Travis Varcoe (Omitted)

Milestones: Scott Pendlebury  - Playing 300th game

Collingwood News Captain Scott Pendlebury to play his 300th AFL game Collingwood has made three changes to its side ahead of the blockbuster qualifying final against Geelong at the MCG on Friday night. The Magpies' forward line will be bolstered by Jordan De Goey and Jaidyn Stephenson, while vice-captain Steele Sidebottom returns to the line-up after a week on the sidelines with a groin injury. De Goey returns from a hamstring injury that saw him miss the final four rounds of the home and away season. The 23-year-old has a proven record first-up after a spell and is raring to go. “I feel really good. I think I’m probably fitter than I was in the middle of the year. Hammy feels good. I feel good. I’m ready to go,” De Goey told reporters on Monday. “It was probably more mentally for me and taking the time it [my hamstring] needs. Being locked into finals helps, so I didn’t need to push too hard earlier on.” Stephenson is set to play his first AFL game since round 12 after which he received a 22-game suspension (12 suspended) for gambling on AFL matches. The 20-year-old hasn’t put a foot wrong during a strenuous training block and was lively for Collingwood’s VFL side two weeks ago. Captain Scott Pendlebury will achieve a historic milestone of 300 AFL games, the third to do so in the club’s history. “I’ve been extremely lucky so far across my career, you know, getting that many seasons in and no sort of injuries that have threatened my career. I’m looking forward to playing game 300, but more importantly the final,” Pendlebury told media on Wednesday. Collingwood have named Matthew Scharenberg, Travis Varcoe, Jack Madgen and Josh Daicos as the emergencies. The first bounce is set for 7.50pm, with the MCG expected to attract 95,000 fans.

AFL 2019 Qualifying Final Collingwood v Geelong Jaidyn Stephenson Suspension for betting is over. What it means for Geelong: The opportunity to bury the post-bye and finals record in one fell swoop and book a home preliminary final. Since winning the 2011 flag, the Cats are 2-11 following in-season weeks off and 3-9 in September overall. Veterans Joel Selwood, Harry Taylor and Gary Ablett would enjoy the extra week's rest, too. What it means for Collingwood: A home preliminary final is a tasty proposition for a team aiming to build continuity. Welcoming back Jaidyn Stephenson (gambling ban) and Jordan De Goey (injury) to play with Darcy Moore for just his second game in eight weeks would place the Pies in a strong position if they were to progress straight to the penultimate weekend. The stat: Dating back to round 22, 2017, Geelong has held Collingwood to an average of 56.6 points in their past three meetings. In the 47 matches against all other opponents in that period, the Pies have scored an average of 90 points. The match-up: Rhys Stanley v Brodie Grundy They shared the honours back in round one but this could be Stanley's biggest test as a No.1 ruckman. Ranked No.2 overall in the Official AFL Player Ratings, Grundy is in career-best form as he prepares for Stanley (No.11 ranked ruckman). It's a big week for: Jaidyn Stephenson Friday night marks 88 days since Stephenson was last on an AFL field prior to his 10-week suspension for betting on Collingwood matches. In the first half of the season he was the focal point in attack for the Pies but just how much impact can he have on return? Big call: Chris Scott to flip the narrative and proclaim, "We're an anywhere, anytime team," as the Cats hold on in a thriller. Prediction: Cats by eight points

UPDATE 2019: Finals Week 1

2019: Finals Week 1 + 2019: Ladder Round 23

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Pos Position     P Played     Pts Points     % Percentage     W Won

L Lost     D Drawn     F Points For     A Points Against

2018 AFL Draw Finals Week Two

2018 AFL Second Qualifying Final Pre Match Edition

2018 AFL Second Qualifying Final COLLINGWOOD v WEST COAST Time & Place: Saturday September 8, 8:10pm EST Perth Stadium 7mate / Fox Footy 7:30pm EST Weather: Min 7 Max 20 Chance of rain 5%: < 1mm Wind: WSW 11kph Betting: Collingwood $2.35 West Coast $1.60

 TEAM

B: Brayden Maynard, Tom Langdon, Jack Crisp

HB: Jeremy Howe, Tyson Goldsack, Travis Varcoe

C: Adam Treloar, Scott Pendlebury, Tom Phillips

HF: Will Hoskin-Elliott, Brody Mihocek, Jordan De Goey

F: Josh Thomas, Mason Cox, Jaidyn Stephenson

Foll: Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams, Steele Sidebottom

Int: Brayden Sier, James Aish, Chris Mayne, Levi Greenwood

Emg: Jarryd Blair, Callum Brown, Josh Daicos, Jack Madgen

IN: Tyson Goldsack, Jeremy Howe, Adam Treloar

OUT: Jack Madgen (omitted), Nathan Murphy (omitted), Adam Oxley (omitted)

PREVIEW COLLINGWOOD V WEST COAST Collingwood heads to Perth for to face the West Coast Eagles in the Second Qualifying Final, with the winner assured a place in the Preliminary Finals, and the loser to face either Greater Western Sydney or Sydney in a Semi-Final next week. Historically, these two sides play thrilling finals matches, including two draws in 1990 and 2007. This match has all the makings of another classic battle. The Eagles will have the home ground advantage, and will benefit from a parochial home crowd, but the Magpies got their first look at the new Optus Stadium in round 23 against Fremantle, making it a good practice run in the lead-up to finals. At the beginning of the year, if you had said that Collingwood and West Coast would play off in a Qualifying Final, most experts would have dismissed you. This is definitely a battle between two sides that have surprised and impressed many during the 2018 home and away season, which culminated in top four finishes. Each side has had injury trouble along the way, but has been extremely resilient. Recent History The Eagles really announced their finals credentials when these sides last met in round 17 at the MCG. West Coast has always had a question mark over its ability to beat big teams on the MCG, so the victory by 35 points was a defining moment in the season. It broke a 23-year drought against Collingwood at the MCG, but the win was marred by the injury to Nic Naitanui. At the Selection Table The week off has been a godsend for both sides given there are some key players on the injury list who could now be available to play. The Eagles will be hoping Josh Kennedy will be available for what would be his first game back since round 18. Lewis Jetta is also likely to be available after overcoming a calf complaint. On the other hand, they will remain without Nic Naitanui and Andrew Gaff. The Magpies also have some big decisions to make. Jeremy Howe looks to have finally overcome his corked thigh after missing four games, and his return will be essential given the star quality of the West Coast forward line. Adam Treloar has also been back training and is pressing his claim for selection strongly. Whether he plays or not is still to be determined. Tyson Goldsack is also pressing his claims after two VFL matches, though he has not played an AFL game this year after rupturing his ACL in the JLT Community Series. Ben Reid and Darcy Moore will not available, either. It looms as an intriguing selection week, given so many are on the comeback trail from injury. Collingwood’s defence has been inexperienced, but has been getting the job done. Where will this game be won? Collingwood and West Coast have two very different styles of football. Collingwood is a high possession side, ranking number one in the AFL for disposals per game. In fact, the Pies are the only side that averages over 400 disposals a game. On the other hand, the Eagles ranked 16th in this area. Instead, the Eagles are very efficient with their ball use, and look to retain possession through short kicking. They kick the ball more than any side in the competition, and therefore rank first for marks per game. The Eagles have not lost a game this year when they have more than 90 marks, so for mine, the Magpies need to make the game frenetic and scrappy and take away the Eagles kicking game. West Coast is the lowest ranked side in ground ball, so keeping the ball moving and in congestion will be Collingwood’s best mode of victory. It is easier said than done though, as the Eagles defence is so well organized, led by Jeremy McGovern who had a field day against Collingwood when these sides last met. Once they take the intercept mark, they then control the football and keep it out of their opponent’s hands. West Coast will also know that it has a distinct advantage in its forward line, with Kennedy and Jack Darling looming as key figures in this game. If the Eagles provide their forwards enough supply, then the undermanned Collingwood defence will really have to fight to contain them. While Kennedy and Darling are dangers in the air, the likes of Willie Rioli, Jamie Cripps and Liam Ryan at ground level are worrying as well, and will take the game away from Collingwood if the supply is there. For mine, this says Magpies will need to take ascendency in the midfield. It makes the role of Brodie Grundy extra important. The Tag Both sides have employed taggers in the second half of this year, and I expect that trend to continue in the finals. Mark Hutchings did the job against Steele Sidebottom in round 17 and held him to a season low 18 disposals. I expect to see this match-up again. For Collingwood, Levi Greenwood has been given the big jobs in recent weeks. I expect him to get the all important job on Luke Shuey, who is a noted finals performer. Without Andrew Gaff, the Magpies will be keen to put the clamps on one of the Eagles’ prime movers. Focus on Collingwood The hearts of all Collingwood supporters were in their mouths in round 23 when Fremantle looked set to cause a big upset. The loss would have relegated Collingwood outside the top four with no double chance. It was an important and defining victory for the Magpies. It’s the sign of a good team that finds a way to win, even when it’s not at its best. There is no doubt that Collingwood will have learnt a lot from its loss against West Coast earlier in the year. The Eagles were able to take 10 intercept marks in defence, which is a very high number. Admittingly, Mason Cox did not play in this game, so his presence is going to make a huge difference. Player Focus Brodie Grundy – Grundy has had a big fortnight, firstly winning the Herald Sun Player of the Year Award, and then making his first All-Australian side. He could potentially be the most important player come Saturday. Without Nic Naitanui, the Eagles have relied on Scott Lycett in the ruck. If Grundy has another big game, and Collingwood’s midfield gets on top as a result, then the Eagles may struggle to contain the Magpies’ running power. Brody Mihocek – When the game was up for grabs against Fremantle, it was Mihocek who responded with three crucial goals. In only 12 games in his debut season, Mihocek has kicked 23 goals to become one of the key members of Collingwood’s forward line. He’ll have a mammoth task this week to try and counter the influence of Jeremy McGovern. If McGovern dominates the way his did earlier in the season when these sides last met, it’ll be a huge ask for the Magpies to get on top in other areas. Focus on West Coast In round 17, the Eagles welcomed back Jack Darling and Josh Kennedy after injury layoffs. It’s a case of de ja vu considering Josh Kennedy is set to return from an injury layoff just in time to face the Magpies. The Magpies could welcome back Jeremy Howe, but the make up of the backline is still to be determined. Kennedy has had an injury-interrupted year, but he’ll have a fortnight to recover if the Eagles win this game. For mine, it’s clearly worth playing him, especially considering how the Eagles’ forwards dominated the Magpies in round 17. Player Focus Elliott Yeo – In my opinion, Yeo was really unlucky not to make the All-Australian team this year. He can play pretty much any spot on the field, but has been really good as a running midfielder who can also square off against big bodied opponents. Yeo is a match-winner, averaging 25 disposals a game. He also has a knack of kicking important goals, and he has a nice long kick as well. Jack Redden – Redden has somewhat slipped under the radar this year, but has put together his best season as an Eagle. Also averaging 25 disposals a game, Redden is the in-and-under player the Eagles desperately needed upon the retirements of Sam Mitchell and Matt Priddis. Expect him to go head to head against the in-form Taylor Adams this week. The Wrap-Up There is no tougher task in football than to travel to Perth to face the West Coast Eagles in a final. The Eagles will also be buoyed by their round 17 victory against Collingwood at the MCG, and will believe that the home ground factor will provide an even greater advantage. The Magpies will therefore need to improve substantially on their round 17 efforts. The side will be quite different however, with the presence of Mason Cox making a big difference. The absence of Andrew Gaff is also a big factor considering he had 30 disposals in the last meeting. While Brodie Grundy could be the key to this game for the Magpies, the other barometer, in my mind, will be Jeremy McGovern for the Eagles. In recent weeks, teams have been using quicker opponents on McGovern to try and keep him accountable. How Collingwood manages McGovern will be vital. It will also be important that they don’t kick long inside 50 blindly, as West Coast will intercept and start counter-attack. In a final with high pressure, this is not as easy as it sounds, so Collingwood’s forwards need to work hard, and the midfield needs to be composed.

AFL 2018 SECOND QUALIFYING FINAL COLLINGWOOD V WEST COAST Collingwood has regained three crucial players for Saturday night's qualifying final against West Coast at Optus Stadium. Midfielders Adam Treloar and defenders Jeremy Howe and Tyson Goldsack have been named after long stints on the sidelines due to injuries. Jack Madgen (omitted), Nathan Murphy (omitted) and Adam Oxley (omitted) are the unlucky players to make way. Madgen is the only one of the three to be included among the emergencies. The other emergencies are Jarryd Blair, Callum Brown and Josh Daicos. Treloar returns for his first game since suffering a serious hamstring injury against Carlton in late June, while Howe is back after missing four games due to a nasty corked thigh. Goldsack is the shock inclusion. He returns to the AFL team just six months after suffering a serious knee injury in the Pies' final JLT Community Series match against the Western Bulldogs in Moe. The 31-year-old completed a remarkable comeback when he lined up in the VFL two weeks ago, then had a quiet outing second-up in Collingwood's VFL elimination final loss to Essendon last weekend. Goldsack has been named at centre half-back and will likely spend time minding star Eagles forward Josh Kennedy or his sidekick Jack Darling. Howe is also expected to line up on Darling and Kennedy at various times in the match. LADDER POSITIONS Collingwood: 3 West Coast: 2 WHAT TO WATCH FOR Collingwood Levi Greenwood is often sent to tag the opposition's most dangerous midfielder and could be gearing up for a shutdown job on West Coast star Luke Shuey. The Pies would be studying how nimble forwards have troubled West Coast's intercept marking machine Jeremy McGovern recently. Look for Collingwood's attempts to drag him out of position and catch McGovern on the break with speed. Collingwood's undermanned backline struggled to contain West Coast's power forwards Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling last time, so expect high-flying Jeremy Howe to return and come across to support Jack Madgen and Tom Langdon in the air at every opportunity. West Coast The Eagles will have to try something around stoppages to negate Brodie Grundy's enormous ruck influence. Willie Rioli flies under the radar as a centre clearance specialist and the electric small forward could be thrown into the middle more often. Josh Kennedy's brilliance overshadows his footy nous and leadership but his return will help organise West Coast's forward line to create space and isolate Collingwood's defenders one-out. Mark Hutchings has locked away a spot in the best 22 as a run-with midfielder who can still find the footy. He went to Steele Sidebottom last time, held him to an equal season-low 18 touches and will probably go to the Pies gun again.  WHAT THE COACHES SAY Nathan Buckley: "We think our best footy stacks up and we are not afraid of anyone we're going to play. We have attacked and been aggressive and chased our best form, improved football, the opposition - all season. So we're not going to stop now." Adam Simpson: "We've been top two or three for 17 weeks. Going into the season, there was a bit of the unknown with a different looking side but the reality is we've been thereabouts for almost all of the season. There's no reason why we can't continue that." INJURY LIST   •  Scott Pendlebury (illness) – available   •  Rupert Wills (general soreness) – available   •  Max Lynch (ankle) – test   •  Jeremy Howe (corkie) – test   •  Adam Treloar (hamstrings) – test   •  Darcy Moore (hamstring) – 1-2 weeks   •  Ben Reid (calf) – 1-2 weeks   •  Jamie Elliott (hamstring) – season   •  Kayle Kirby (medical condition) – season   •  Matthew Scharenberg (knee) – season   •  Tim Broomhead (broken leg) – season   •  Lynden Dunn (knee) – season   •  Daniel Wells (foot) – season SUMMARY Not many experts predicted these teams to be top-four bound, but West Coast and Collingwood have overcome significant adversity to be only one win away from hosting a preliminary final. The resilient Eagles are playing a brand of football that stacks up at home or on the road, expect to regain spearhead Josh Kennedy (shin) and should be close to full-strength, apart from Nic Naitanui (knee) and Andrew Gaff (suspension). The Pies defied a crippling injury list to clinch third spot, earning Nathan Buckley plenty of plaudits. Reinforcements could be on the way if Adam Treloar (hamstring) and Jeremy Howe (thigh) are fit. The Pies will rely heavily on unheralded types and an improved defensive system to pull off their first interstate finals win since 2008. AFL THE SIX POINTS West Coast's damaging forwards were the difference in round 17 with Josh Kennedy, Jack Darling, Willie Rioli (three each) and Mark LeCras (two) kicking 11 goals between them. The Eagles booted seven goals to three in the second half. The Magpies have won four of the six finals between the sides, with the Eagles' only triumph a two-point nailbiter at the WACA in 1994. They drew a qualifying final in 1990. The most recent meeting was a 2012 semi-final the Pies won by 13 points. West Coast won nine of 12 matches at Optus Stadium and averaged 101 points per game. Collingwood has won four of five interstate games this season, including in Perth over Fremantle in round 23. The Eagles have more finals experience with a combined 169 games to the Magpies' 116. Lewis Jetta tops the Eagles experience with 15 games, while Pies skipper Scott Pendlebury and Travis Varcoe have appeared in 17 finals each.  Collingwood was the No.1 disposal side in 2018 and fourth for inside 50s (54.9 per game). The efficient Eagles were 16th for possessions and equal seventh in inside 50s (53.4). Star Pies ruckman Brodie Grundy climbed one spot to fifth overall in the Schick AFL Player Ratings after dominating Fremantle in the final round with 24 possessions and looms as the danger man for West Coast. IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Scott Lycett The Eagles' No.2 big man was thrust into the main ruck role for a half against Brodie Grundy after Nic Naitanui went down last time the teams met and more than held his own. But Lycett's form has been down in recent weeks against Max Gawn and Stefan Martin, and West Coast needs him to lift in finals. AFL LAST FIVE TIMES R17, 2018, West Coast 15.12 (102) d Collingwood 9.13 (67) at the MCG R18, 2017, Collingwood 13.15 (93) d West Coast 13.7 (85) at Etihad Stadium R19, 2016, Collingwood 13.13 (91) d West Coast 11.6 (72) at the MCG R6, 2016, West Coast 18.16 (124) d Collingwood 9.8 (62) at Subiaco Oval R16, 2015, West Coast 11.21 (87) d Collingwood 7.14 (56) at Etihad Stadium PREDICTION West Coast by 11 points

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 6 First Qualifying Final, 7:20pm EST MCG Richmond v Hawthorn Odds Tigers $1.40 Hawks $3 Last time Round three MCG Richmond 102 d Hawthorn 89	FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 7 First Elimination Final, 7:50pm EST MCG Melbourne v Geelong Odds Demons $1.75 Cats $2.10 Last time Round 18 Kardinia Geelong 100 d Melbourne 98
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 8 Second Elimination Final, 4:20pm EST SCG Sydney Swans v GWS Giants Odds Swans $1.70 Giants $2.15 Last time Round 22 Sydney Showground Sydney 80 d GWS 60	SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 8 Second Qualifying Final, 8:10pm EST Perth Stadium West Coast Eagles v Collingwood Odds Eagles $1.60 Magpies $2.35 Last Time Round 17 MCG West Coast 102 d Collingwood 67

2018 AFL Finals Week One

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 6 First Qualifying Final, 7:20pm EST MCG Richmond v Hawthorn Odds Tigers $1.40 Hawks $3 Last time Round three MCG Richmond 102 d Hawthorn 89	FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 7 First Elimination Final, 7:50pm EST MCG Melbourne v Geelong Odds Demons $1.75 Cats $2.10 Last time Round 18 Kardinia Geelong 100 d Melbourne 98
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 8 Second Elimination Final, 4:20pm EST SCG Sydney Swans v GWS Giants Odds Swans $1.70 Giants $2.15 Last time Round 22 Sydney Showground Sydney 80 d GWS 60	SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 8 Second Qualifying Final, 8:10pm EST Perth Stadium West Coast Eagles v Collingwood Odds Eagles $1.65 Magpies $2.25 Last Time Round 17 MCG West Coast 102 d Collingwood 67

2017 Grand Final

2017 Finals Week 4

2017 Finals Week 3

2017 Finals Week 2

2017 Finals Week 1

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 7, 7:50pm EST First Qualifying Final Adelaide v GWS at Adelaide Oval	SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 4:20pm EST Second Elimination Final Sydney v Essendon at the SCG
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 7:50pm EST Second Qualifying Final Geelong v Richmond at the MCG	SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 7:50pm EST First Elimination Final Port Adelaide v West Coast at Adelaide Oval

2016 Grand Final

2016 Finals Week 4

2016 Finals Week 3