Collingwood and Brisbane Secure Top Two Spots
Collingwood was in the top spot on the AFL ladder heading into round 24 with 68 points. Brisbane was just behind them with 64 points and a very similar PF/PA %. Because of this, the Magpies were in need of a strong showing to end the season to ensure they stayed atop the ladder.
They got that by way of a 101-31 drubbing of Essendon. The Magpies victory saw them finish the season on 72 points, push their percentage to 127.0, and secure their first minor premiership since 2011.
Brisbane was tied on points with Port Adelaide but thanks to their superior percentage were in control of the number two spot. Nonetheless, they had to defeat a strong St. Kilda side to make sure they stayed there.
They did just that narrowly taking down St. Kilda 72-60.
Thanks to their victories, both Collingwood and Brisbane will host home qualifying finals.
Port Adelaide did what they could dispatching of Richmond 94-63 to end the season even on points with Brisbane at 68. Their percentage of 112.7 was much lower than Brisbane’s 123.1 however which left them in the third spot.
GWS Snags Top Eight Finish
Coming into round 24 the race for the top eight remained between GWS and Western. The Giants sat four points clear of the Bulldogs at 48 but were facing a quality side in Carlton while Western had a struggling Geelong team.
The Bulldogs did all they could putting the pressure on GWS by way of a Saturday 104-79 win over Geelong which briefly moved them into the eighth spot. Their PF/PA % was also better than the Giants’ meaning GWS were in need of a win to make the finals.
In the final game of the 2023 AFL regular season GWS found themselves in a hard-fought battle with Carlton. The Blues took an early lead going ahead 27-20 at the first quarter’s end.
GWS played better in the second quarter to lead narrowly 52-47 at halftime. With their season on the line, the Giants exploded after the halfway mark going up 85-59 by the end of the third quarter. They kept their foot on the gas in the final frame ultimately winning 105-73.
With a Sydney Swans loss to Melbourne, the Giants moved up to seventh while the Bulldogs were left devastated on the outside looking in.
Finals Week One Outlook
Week one of the finals is now set.
Take a look here for matchups, dates, and times for each of the games.
Collingwood will battle Melbourne in the first of the two qualifying finals with the winner moving straight to the preliminary finals. It’s worth noting that Collingwood has lost three of their last five matches while Melbourne has won seven of their past eight.
The second qualifying final will feature Brisbane and Port Adelaide. These two have been battling for ladder positioning all year so it’s only fitting that they do battle with the winner gaining a bye to the preliminary finals.
The elimination finals matchups will see Carlton take on Sydney and St. Kilda faceoff with GWS.
The winner of Sydney vs. Carlton will matchup with the loser of Melbourne vs. Collingwood in the semi-finals.
The winner of St. Kilda and GWS will play the loser of Brisbane and Port Adelaide.
