AFL Finals Structure Explained - How Do AFL Finals Work?

The AFL finals series is one of the most anticipated events on the Australian sporting calendar, featuring high stakes, fierce competition, and an exciting lead-up to the AFL Grand Final. Each year, the top eight teams from the regular season will compete in the finals series. With double chances for the losing two teams in the top four, and elimination finals for the bottom four, it’s important to know how the finals structure can affect your team if they are good enough to make the cut. 

The AFL finals series features the top eight teams from the home-and-away season and follows a knockout format. The finals span four weeks, and the teams that excel during this period are ultimately crowned champions of the AFL season. The four weeks of the AFL finals series consist of qualifying and elimination finals, semi-finals, preliminary finals and the Grand Final. Read on to see how each week is played out.

The first week of the AFL finals series is divided into two categories:

Qualifying Finals: These matches offer a direct route to the preliminary finals for the winners, while the losers will compete to stay alive the following week. The Qualifying finals involve the top four teams at the conclusion of the regular season. The top two teams (1st and 2nd) face off against each other, while the 3rd and 4th teams also compete. In these matchups:

Advantage of Qualifying Finals: Teams that finish in the top four enjoy a significant advantage—they are not eliminated if they lose their first finals match. Instead, they receive a second chance to advance in the competition.

Elimination Finals: These matches feature teams ranked 5th to 8th at the end of the regular season. The 5th-placed team competes against the 8th-placed team, while the 6th-placed team takes on the 7th-placed team. The teams that lose these matches are eliminated from the finals series.

In the second week, the teams that lost in the qualifying finals (the matches between 1st and 4th, and 2nd and 3rd) will compete against the winners of the elimination finals (5th vs 8th and 6th vs 7th).

The team that loses the 1st vs 4th match will go up against the winner of the 5th vs 8th match in one semi-final.

Meanwhile, the loser of the 2nd vs 3rd game will face the winner of the 6th vs 7th match in the other semi-final.

The winners of these semi-finals will advance to the preliminary finals, while the losing teams will be eliminated from the competition.

The preliminary finals are critical as they decide which two teams will compete in the Grand Final.

The winners of the qualifying finals (1st vs 4th and 2nd vs 3rd) will take on the winners of the semi-finals from Week 2.

These matches are hosted at the home stadium of the qualifying final winners, giving them a notable advantage.

The highlight of the AFL finals series is the AFL Grand Final, where the two top teams compete to claim the premiership title.

Traditionally held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the Grand Final has occasionally taken place at other venues, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

It is scheduled for the last Saturday in September and is one of Australia's largest sporting events, often drawing over 100,000 fans and being broadcast globally.

If the Grand Final ends in a tie, the teams will enter extra time, consisting of two three-minute periods. If the score remains tied after extra time, the first team to score will be declared the winner.

In the past, the AFL Grand Final could lead to a replay if a game ended in a draw. However, since 2016, the AFL has implemented a rule stating that if a match ends in a draw, extra time will be played to determine the winner. This rule is applicable to both the Grand Final and other finals matches.

Top Eight Teams: The eight teams that finish highest on the AFL ladder after the home-and-away season qualify for the finals.

Second Chance for Top Four Teams: Teams that finish in the top four (1st to 4th) enjoy a "second chance," allowing them another opportunity to advance if they lose their first finals match.

Elimination for Bottom Four Teams: Teams ranked 5th to 8th (the bottom four) face immediate elimination if they lose their first finals match.

Home Ground Advantage: The top four teams not only receive a second chance if they lose their first finals match, but they also play their qualifying finals at home. This provides them with a significant edge due to their familiarity with the ground and support from the crowd.

Home State Advantage: In the semi-finals, preliminary finals, and grand final, the higher-ranked team usually benefits from playing in their home state, even if the match occurs at a neutral venue like the MCG.

Betting action heats up during the AFL finals, and the pro punters take advantage of the format. Teams that need to win will be far less likely to rest good players, and more minutes played by these elite players means racking up more disposals and kicking more goals. Those looking to place AFL Same Game Multi Bets can be rewarded with some research and a good staking plan. Picking the right bookmaker also plays a big part in AFL finals betting. The best AFL betting sites in Australia offer big promotions and specials, as well as providing a well-rounded AFL betting experience.

The AFL finals series is an exciting and intense journey that challenges the best teams of the season. It features a captivating mix of elimination and qualifying matches that ensure only the most resilient and skilled teams advance through the rounds. With the stakes rising with each match, the AFL finals promise thrilling football and culminate in the grand spectacle of the AFL Grand Final. Whether you're a long-time supporter or new to the sport, the AFL finals provide an exhilarating and unforgettable experience, showcasing the very best of Australian Rules Football.