Finals venues and dates for week one of the AFL finals have been locked in, with Adelaide Oval (pictured top right) to kick off matches on Thursday September 4 as part of a hectic few weeks for the ground crew. 

The Adelaide Oval staff will start preparations for the first qualifying final on the Thursday between Adelaide and Collingwood which will launch a festival of football in South Australia across September.

Adelaide Oval is also hosting all SANFL finals matches across the next month, starting this Sunday August 31 with elimination and qualifying finals, the semi-finals – three days after the AFL blockbuster on September 7, a preliminary final on September 14 before grand final day on Sunday September 21 which features all grades.

The ground is also guaranteed to host at least one more AFL final in the next few weeks with the date unknown and subject to the result of the Adelaide v Collingwood qualifying final, with the top-of-the-table Crows to host two home matches.

The MCG in Melbourne will host the second qualifying final between Geelong and Brisbane on Friday September 5 with ENGIE Stadium in Sydney to host the first elimination final between Greater Western Sydney and Hawthorn on Saturday September 6 in the afternoon, while Perth’s Optus Stadium (pictured bottom right) welcomes Fremantle and Golf Coast at night for the second elimination final.

WEEK ONE FINALS  

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
First qualifying final
Adelaide v Collingwood at Adelaide Oval, 7.10pm ACST

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
Second qualifying final
Geelong v Brisbane at the MCG, 7.40pm AEST

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
First elimination final
Greater Western Sydney v Hawthorn at Engie Stadium, 3.15pm AEST

Second elimination final
Fremantle v Gold Coast at Optus Stadium, 5.35pm AWST (7.35pm AEST)

Story by Nick Creely