AFL Finals Series: Games, dates and venues

After the a gripping end to the AFL regular season, the finals schedule is now locked in, with the top eight set to battle it out for the premiership.

The make-up of the top eight was not decided until the very last game of the regular season on Sunday, with Fremantle missing their big chance to sneak in.

If the regular season is anything to go by, then we are in for an exciting finals campaign.

Try to predict who will go on and win the grand final is a tough call, but as things stand, Sydney are the hot fancies at 3.75.

Let’s take a look at the first week of finals and who is playing who.

Qualifying Final 2

. What: Port Adelaide v Geelong
. Where: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
. When: 19:40 (AEST), Thursday 5th September
. How to watch: Kayo, Foxtel, Channel 7
. Odds: Port Adelaide 1.52, Geelong 2.55

Port Adelaide finished the season strongly to finish in second place on the ladder.

It means even if they were to lose to Geelong in the Qualifying Final, they will still get a second shot, which will also be played at the Adelaide Oval.

Geelong, who finished third on the ladder, will also get another chance should they come unstuck in Adelaide.

The winner of this game will go straight through to the Preliminary Finals.

Port Adelaide are 6.00 to win the grand final, Geelong 9.00.

Elimination Final 2

. What: Western Bulldogs v Hawthorn
. Where: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
. When: 19:40 (AEST), Friday 6th September
. How to watch: Kayo, Foxtel, Channel 9
. Odds: Western Bulldogs 1.80, Hawthorn 2.02

The first of the Elimination Finals will see the Bulldogs and Hawthorn go head-to-head at Marvel Stadium.

Finishing outside of the top four means you have to win the grand final the hard way, something the Bulldogs did in 2016.

The winner of this one will progress to the semi-final, while the loser will see their season come to an abrupt end.

The Bulldogs are 10.00 to win the grand final, while Hawthorn are 11.00.

Qualifying Final 1

. What: Sydney v Greater Western Sydney
. Where: SCG, Sydney
. When: 15:20 (AEST), Saturday 7th September
. How to watch: Kayo, Foxtel, Channel 9
. Odds: Sydney 1.62, Greater Western Sydney 2.30

Sydney finished top of the ladder and like Port Adelaide have two home finals at the very least.

First up is a derby clash against Greater Western Sydney, who finished fourth on the ladder.

Again, the winner will progress to a preliminary final, while the loser will get a second chance in a semi-final showdown.

Greater Western Sydney are many peoples' fancy to go all the way and win the grand final, and they can be backed at 5.50 to do so.

Elimination Final 1

. What: Brisbane v Carlton
. Where: The Gabba, Brisbane
. When: 19:30 (AEST), Saturday 7th September
. How to watch: Kayo, Foxtel, Channel 9
. Odds: Brisbane 1.30, Carlton 3.60

Brisbane looked on course for the top two at one point, but in the end had to settle for fifth and an Elimination Final.

They will be delighted to be on home soil and are the hot fancies to knock over Carlton at the Gabba.

Carlton scraped into the eight despite losing against St Kilda on Sunday as Fremantle lost at home to Port Adelaide.

One of these two will see their season end, but Brisbane can be backed at 8.00 to win the grand final. Carlton are 26.00.