AFL week one finals fixture revealed: Dates and venues locked in after Bulldogs fall short
The GWS Giants' victory over Carlton has secured their spot in the 2023 AFL finals, however a 32-point win wasn't enough to claim a home semi-final.
Instead, the Giants will play St Kilda in a do-or-die finals clash at the MCG.
The win brought about an agonising reality for the Bulldogs, missing out on the finals, despite defeating Geelong on Saturday to keep their hopes alive.
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Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge. AFL Photos via Getty Images
The top four finished with Collingwood on top, while Brisbane Lions are second, Port Adelaide third and Melbourne rounds out the best performers.
Carlton finished fifth to start the bottom four, St Kilda sixth, GWS seventh and Sydney Swans eighth.
A post-season bye week will follow the regular rounds, before the finals begin on September 7.
AFL 2023 FINALS FIXTURE - WEEK 1
First qualifying final: Collingwood vs Melbourne, Thursday September 7 at 7.20pm, MCG
First elimination final: Carlton vs Sydney Swans, Friday September 8 at 7.50pm, MCG
Second elimination final: St Kilda vs GWS Giants, Saturday September 9 at 3.20pm, MCG
Second qualifying final: Brisbane Lions vs Port Adelaide, Saturday September 9 at 7.25pm, The Gabba
Semi-finals will follow before the preliminary finals in week three.
The AFL grand final at the MCG will be on September 30 at 2.30pm AEST.
How does the final eight work in AFL?
The winners of the two qualifying finals advance to host the two preliminary finals, while the losers from the elimination finals are out.
In the first semi, the loser of the first qualifying final between Collingwood and Melbourne will host the winner of the first elimination final fixture between Carlton and Sydney.
The loser from the second qualifying final between Brisbane and Port Adelaide will host the winner of the second elimination final between St Kilda and GWS.
In the first preliminary final, the winner out of Collingwood and Melbourne in the first qualifying final will host whoever wins the second semi out of Brisbane, Port Adelaide, Carlton or Sydney.
The winner out of Brisbane Lions and Port Adelaide in the second qualifier will host the winner of the first semi-final between Collingwood, Melbourne, Carlton or Sydney, in the second prelim.
The winners of the two preliminary finals will do battle in the 2023 AFL grand final.
Who is the halftime performers at the AFL grand final?
The AFL is yet to confirm who will be performing at the AFL grand final, after Crowded House pulled out.
3AW's Ross Stevenson has suggested KISS will be the pre-game entertainment with the half-time act still to be decided.
