The AFL finals format is a clever system to spread out the finals across four rounds. The top 8 teams at the end of the home and away season contest finals.
The top 4 teams have two chances to make the semi finals, either by winning in week 1 of the finals, or by losing in week 1 but winning in week 2. The bottom 4 teams have to win in week 1 and week 2 just to make the semi finals.
The semi finals (called preliminary finals) are traditional semi-final knockout contests. Every contest between two finalists is decided by a single weekend match.
About
The AFL Finals series determines the premiers of the Australian Football League (AFL) season through a structured knockout competition involving the top eight teams. Over four weeks, teams compete in elimination and qualifying matches to progress to the grand final. The format rewards higher-ranked teams with advantages like hosting rights and a second chance in the early rounds.
Key Takeaways
- The top eight teams compete in a series of elimination and qualifying matches.
- Higher-ranked teams (1st-4th) get a second chance if they lose in the first week.
- Lower-ranked teams (5th-8th) face immediate elimination upon defeat.
- The higher ranked team always hosts the game.
- The grand final determines the premiership team for the season.
How Do Finals Work with 8 Teams?
The finals system involves a mix of qualifying and elimination matches. In the first week, the top four teams compete in qualifying finals. The winners advance directly to the preliminary finals, while the losers get a second chance in the semi-finals. The bottom four teams play elimination finals, where losers are immediately knocked out.
In the second week, the semi-finals feature qualifying final losers against elimination final winners. These matches are hosted by the higher-ranked teams from the first week. Winners of the semi-finals move on to the preliminary finals.
The preliminary finals in the third week determine the grand final contenders. The winners of these matches compete in the grand final, with the winner crowned as the AFL premiers. This format ensures a balanced yet competitive progression towards the championship.
How Will the AFL Finals Work?
In the first week of AFL finals, the top 4 play each other (1 vs 4 and 2 vs 3). Winning means you go straight through to the preliminary finals in week 3.
For the top 4 teams that lose in week 1, they have to play in week 2. There, they meet the winners of the contests between the bottom 4 teams (5 vs 8 and 6 vs 7). The teams winning in week 2 move on to week 3.
Week 3 is preliminary finals weekend. These are traditional semi-finals, with the two winners going through to the Grand Final and the two losers knocked out.
The Grand Final is held in week 4 of the finals. It is a one-off game to decide the premiership winning team.
Premiership Path for Each Finalist
Teams in the top four have the advantage of hosting rights and a second chance in the first week. Winning a qualifying final allows them to skip the second week and directly host a preliminary final.
Teams ranked fifth to eighth face immediate elimination if they lose in the first week. They must keep winning through all four rounds to emerge victorious.
1st Position
The team finishing 1st on the ladder plays the 4th placed team in a Qualifying Final, hosting it in their home state. Winning this match grants them a bye in the second week and the right to host a Preliminary Final in the third week. If they win the Preliminary Final, they progress to the Grand Final.
Losing the Qualifying Final means they host a Semi-Final in the second week against the winner of the 1st Elimination Final (5th vs 8th). If they win the Semi-Final, they proceed to the Preliminary Final, and a win there secures their spot in the Grand Final.
2nd Position
The 2nd placed team faces the 3rd placed team in a Qualifying Final, hosted in their home state. Winning this game gives them a bye in the second week and the chance to host a Preliminary Final in the third week. A win in the Preliminary Final takes them to the Grand Final.
If they lose the Qualifying Final, they host a Semi-Final in the second week against the winner of the 2nd Elimination Final (6th vs 7th). Winning the Semi-Final leads them to the Preliminary Final, and a victory there earns them a place in the Grand Final.
3rd Position
The team in 3rd position plays the 2nd placed team in a Qualifying Final, with the match hosted by the 2nd placed team. A win allows them a bye in the second week and the right to host a Preliminary Final in their home state in the third week. Winning the Preliminary Final advances them to the Grand Final.
If they lose the Qualifying Final, they host a Semi-Final in the second week against the winner of the 2nd Elimination Final (6th vs 7th). Winning the Semi-Final takes them to the Preliminary Final, and a win there secures their place in the Grand Final.
4th Position
The 4th placed team plays the 1st placed team in a Qualifying Final, hosted by the 1st placed team. A win grants them a bye in the second week and the right to host a Preliminary Final in the third week. Winning the Preliminary Final progresses them to the Grand Final.
If they lose the Qualifying Final, they host a Semi-Final in the second week against the winner of the 1st Elimination Final (5th vs 8th). A win in the Semi-Final advances them to the Preliminary Final, and a victory there secures their spot in the Grand Final.
5th Position
The 5th placed team competes against the 8th placed team in an Elimination Final, hosted by the 5th placed team. Winning this match advances them to a Semi-Final in the second week against the loser of the 1st Qualifying Final (1st vs 4th), hosted by the other team.
Winning the Semi-Final would lead to a Preliminary Final in the third week against the winner of the 1st Qualifying Final (1st vs 4th), which they must play away. A win in the Preliminary Final takes them to the Grand Final.
6th Position
The team in 6th place plays the 7th placed team in an Elimination Final, hosted by the 6th placed team. Winning this match progresses them to a Semi-Final in the second week against the loser of the 2nd Qualifying Final (2nd vs 3rd), hosted by the other team.
Winning the Semi-Final leads them to a Preliminary Final in the third week against the winner of the 2nd Qualifying Final (2nd vs 3rd), which they must play away. A win in the Preliminary Final secures their spot in the Grand Final.
7th Position
The 7th placed team faces the 6th placed team in an Elimination Final, hosted by the 6th placed team. Winning this match advances them to a Semi-Final in the second week against the loser of the 2nd Qualifying Final (2nd vs 3rd), hosted by the other team.
Winning the Semi-Final leads them to a Preliminary Final in the third week against the winner of the 2nd Qualifying Final (2nd vs 3rd), which they must play away. A win in the Preliminary Final takes them to the Grand Final.
8th Position
The team finishing 8th plays the 5th placed team in an Elimination Final, hosted by the 5th placed team. Winning this match progresses them to a Semi-Final in the second week against the loser of the 1st Qualifying Final (1st vs 4th), hosted by the other team.
Winning the Semi-Final leads them to a Preliminary Final in the third week against the winner of the 1st Qualifying Final (1st vs 4th), which they must play away. A win in the Preliminary Final secures their spot in the Grand Final.
Criticisms of How AFL Finals Draw Works
Fixed Grand Final venue
Unlike most other sports, the AFL Grand Final is always hosted at the same venue: the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Consequently, a team on the other side of the country could, in theory, win every game of the season, including all finals, only to end up playing away in the Grand Final. This fixed venue can be seen as a disadvantage for teams that are not based in Victoria. They lose the potential home-ground advantage in the most crucial match of the season.
Minimal reward for finishing first
Another issue is the minimal advantage given to the team finishing first compared to the team finishing second. Both the 1st and 2nd placed teams receive home-ground advantage and a second chance if they lose in the first week. However, the system doesn’t significantly reward the team that finishes on top. This can be seen as unfair given their consistent performance throughout the season, as the distinction between finishing 1st or 2nd is minimal.
Disadvantage of the bye week
One major criticism of the AFL Finals draw is the disadvantage teams can face due to the bye week. While the bye provides rest, it can break a team’s momentum and disrupt their match fitness. This interruption can negatively impact their performance in the preliminary finals against teams that have kept playing.
In the Event of a Tied Finals Game
What happens if there is a tie in AFL finals? A tie at the end of regulation time in any AFL finals match results in extra time: two five-minute halves. If there is still a tie after extra time, the next score wins (golden score).
- Six-Minute Break: After the conclusion of regular time with tied scores, there is a six-minute break.
- Two Five-Minute Halves: The game then resumes with two five-minute halves. Teams switch ends after the first half without a break. The action continues seamlessly to maintain intensity.
- Continuous Play: If scores are still level after these halves, the game enters a golden score phase. The next score, whether it be a goal or a behind, determines the winner. This sudden death format heightens the drama.
- Interchange Rules: During extra time, teams are allowed an additional 15 interchange rotations. This provision helps keep players fresh and maintains the high standard of play.
This structure has been in place since 2016. It ensures a clear winner on the day. There is no need for a replay anymore.