It took until the final game of the season, but we now know the 2023 AFLW finalists – and Sydney fans can finally breathe.
The Swans’ win in the west over Fremantle ensured their spot in the top eight, on a dramatic final day which began with 13 teams still mathematically alive.
It means both Essendon and Sydney have qualified for the AFLW finals for the first time, in just their second seasons in the competition. The Swans finished winless last year.
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Sydney would have finished 7th instead of 8th if they had not conceded a behind with 1:19 left in the game against the Dockers.
Full details for the finals match-ups will be confirmed shortly.
See the 2023 AFLW finals fixture and how the AFLW finals system works below.
Erin Phillips bows out of AFLW in style | 01:32
AFLW 2023 FINALS FIXTURE – Week 1 (All times AEST)
First Qualifying Final: (1) Adelaide Crows vs (4) Brisbane Lions
Date, Time and Venue TBC
First Elimination Final: (5) Gold Coast Suns vs (8) Sydney Swans
Date, Time and Venue TBC
Second Elimination Final: (6) Geelong vs (7) Essendon
Date, Time and Venue TBC
Second Qualifying Final: (2) Melbourne vs (3) North Melbourne
Date, Time and Venue TBC
AFLW 2023 FINALS FIXTURE – Week 2 (All times AEST)
First Semi Final: [Loser of Adelaide Crows vs Brisbane Lions] hosts [Winner of Gold Coast Suns vs Sydney Swans]
Date, Time and Venue TBC
Second Semi Final: [Loser of Melbourne vs North Melbourne] hosts [Winner of Geelong vs Essendon]
Date, Time and Venue TBC
AFLW 2023 FINALS FIXTURE – Week 3 (All times AEST)
First Preliminary Final: [Winner of Adelaide Crows vs Brisbane Lions] hosts [Winner of Second Semi Final]
Date, Time and Venue TBC
Second Preliminary Final: [Winner of Melbourne vs North Melbourne] hosts [Winner of First Semi Final]
Date, Time and Venue TBC
AFLW 2023 GRAND FINAL
Winner of First Preliminary Final vs Winner of Second Preliminary Final
Weekend of December 2-3
Date, Time and Venue TBC
HOW THE AFLW FINALS SYSTEM WORKS
The winners of the two qualifying finals advance to host the two preliminary finals, while two teams are eliminated each week until the Grand Final.
The loser of the First Qualifying Final (Adelaide vs Brisbane) hosts the winner of the First Elimination Final (Gold Coast vs Sydney) in the First Semi Final.
The loser of the Second Qualifying Final (Melbourne vs North Melbourne) hosts the winner of the Second Elimination Final (Geelong vs Essendon) in the Second Semi Final.
The winner of the First Qualifying Final (Adelaide vs Brisbane) hosts the winner of the Second Semi Final (Melbourne, North Melbourne, Geelong or Essendon) in the First Preliminary Final.
The winner of the Second Qualifying Final (Melbourne vs North Melbourne) hosts the winner of the First Semi Final (Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast or Sydney) in the Second Preliminary Final.
The winners of the two Preliminary Finals face off in the 2023 AFLW Grand Final.
