The AFL finals are set to kick off this week, as the season heats up. All matches in the AFL Finals will be broadcast live on the Seven Network and Fox Footy and streamed live on Kayo.
Going into the finals, the Melbourne Demons are the Minor Premiers for the first time since 1964, sitting at the top of the ladder – but just behind them are Port Adelaide Power. Geelong, Brisbane, Bulldogs, Sydney, and GWS follow, with the Essendon Bombers rounding out the top eight.
The first game of the finals will be a repeat of last year’s qualifying final, when Port Adelaide hosts Geelong at Adelaide Oval.
With Sydney under lockdown, the GWS Giants and Sydney Swans will face each other in Tasmania. Tassie will also see the clash between the Bulldogs and Essendon.
Melbourne will play Brisbane, also at Adelaide Oval due to Covid restrictions in both teams’ home states.
afl.com.au
Seven’s commentary team features Brian Taylor, James Brayshaw, Hamish McLachlan, Daisy Pearce, Luke Hodge, Wayne Carey, Luke Darcy, Matthew Richardson, Abbey Holmes, Justin Leppitsch, Erin Phillips, Jimmy Bartel, Chris Johnson, Cameron Ling, Abbey Gelmi, Tim Watson, Jason Bennett, and Mark Soderstrom.
The Fox Footy team includes Jason Dunstall, Dermott Brereton, Eddie McGuire, Jordan Lewis, Sarah Jones, Kelli Underwood, Kath Loughnan, Brad Johnson, Alastair Lynch, Matthew Pavlich, Mark Ricciuto, Nick Dal Santo, Gerard Healy, and Cameron Mooney. They also recently secured three-time premiership Tigers star Jack Riewoldt and recently retired footy great Eddie Betts.
The Grand final will be held at Optus Stadium in Perth if Victoria’s Covid-19 outbreak means that the game will be unable to be held at the MCG again. Last year’s Grand Final was held at the Gabba in Brisbane.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said on Wednesday that Perthwas going to be the back-up venue rather than Adelaide because Western Australia is currently able to hold events with 100% capacity.
“If we’re unable to play at the MCG, the Grand Final will be at Optus Stadium. Our priority clearly will be the health and safety of the West Australian community. We’ll work through the quarantine facilities and restrictions for our playing groups and it will be an amazing venue in the event the MCG is unavailable,” McLachlan said.
The decision on whether or not the Grand Final will be moved is due to be made next week.
AFL Finals Round One:
FRIDAY, AUGUST 27
Qualifying final
Port Adelaide v Geelong at Adelaide Oval, 7.20pm ACST
SATURDAY, AUGUST 28
Elimination final
Sydney v GWS Giants at University of Tasmania Stadium, 3.20pm AEST
Qualifying final
Melbourne v Brisbane at Adelaide Oval, 7pm ACST
SUNDAY, AUGUST 29
Elimination final
Western Bulldogs v Essendon at University of Tasmania Stadium, 3.20pm AEST