The Western Bulldogs are unsatisfied with the week one AFL finals fixture as the club’s bid for alternative game times were ignored.
Scroll down to see dates and times of each final
The Bulldogs’ gritty victory over the GWS Giants sealed them a home elimination final against Hawthorn at the MCG, however, Nine’s chief footy reporter Tom Morris reported the club was “disappointed” to cop the Friday night final due to a clash with their women’s team.
”They are disappointed and lobbied hard to play this game at another time because they have an AFLW game at Mission Whitten Oval, which is significant because it is the first match at the new venue that has been redeveloped,” Morris reported on Footy Furnace.
READ MORE: Murray facing big ban after bizarre sin bin wait
READ MORE: IPC drop Olympic ring tattoo ruling in shock backflip
READ MORE: Two players binned as melee almost spills into crowd
“Equally, it is their first men’s final in Victoria since the 2016 grand final, so they are not too happy with the AFL.”
The Bulldogs’ AFLW side plays Port Adelaide on the same night, with that clash scheduled at 5.05pm.
To add to the troubling news for the Dogs, Liam Jones may be unavailable for the final as he nervously awaits the result of a dangerous tackle on Aaron Cadman.
The Swans claimed their first minor premiership since 2016 and locked in a mouthwatering Sydney derby at the SCG.
Morris said the ladder leaders were also disappointed in the draw after campaigning in favour of the Friday night timeslot, which was given to the Dogs.
Meanwhile, Carlton escaped disaster and claimed the final spot in the eight after a late Jack Higgins goal in St Kilda‘s victory on Sunday placed the club’s fate in the hands of Fremantle.
Michael Voss’ side was six points clear of third at the end of June but had slumped to eighth coming into the final round. Port Adelaide became the Blues saving grace with a thrilling 13.9 (87) to 9.13 (67) victory at Optus Stadium, gifting Carlton one last chance at the expense of Fremantle.
The Dockers were heartbroken as the reality of their season ending swept through the home crowd.
Last year’s premiers Collingwood failed to make the finals.
AFL 2024 finals fixture – week one
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
Second qualifying final: Port Adelaide vs Geelong at Adelaide Oval, 7.40pm
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
Second elimination final: Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn at the MCG, 7.40pm
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
First qualifying final: Sydney Swans vs GWS Giants at the SCG, 3.20pm
First elimination final: Brisbane Lions vs Carlton at the Gabba, 7.30pm
Semi-finals will follow before the preliminary finals in week three.
The AFL grand final at the MCG will be held on September 28 at 2:30pm AEST.
Ladder standings at the conclusion of regular season
1. Sydney (68 points)
2. Port Adelaide (60 points)
3. Geelong (60 points)
4. GWS (60 points)
5. Brisbane (58 points)
6. Bulldogs (56 points)
7. Hawthorn (56 points)
8. Carlton (56 points)
9. Fremantle (54 points)
10. Collingwood (52 points)
11. Essendon (46 points)
12. Melbourne (44 points)
13. Gold Coast (44 points)
14. St Kilda (40 points)
15. Adelaide (34 points)
16. West Coast (20 points)
17. North Melbourne (12 points)
18. Richmond (8 points)
How does the top eight work in the AFL?
The AFL has used the same structure for the finals series since 2000, with the top eight broken into two groups of four.
The winners of the two qualifying finals advance to host preliminary finals, while the losers from the elimination finals bid farewell to their season.
In the first semi, the loser of the first qualifying final will host the winner of the first elimination final fixture.
Similarly, the loser from the second qualifying final will host the winner of the second elimination final.
The preliminary finals will see the winner of the first qualifying final face the winner of the second semi-final at home.
The winner of the second qualifier will host the winner of the first semi-final in the second prelim.
The winners of both preliminary finals will battle it out on September 28 in the 2024 AFL Grand Final.
Who is the half time performer for the AFL grand final?
American pop star Katy Perry has been announced as the headline act in the AFL’s pre-game grand final entertainment.
