The Gold Coast Suns have made history and will compete in their first AFLW finals series
The Gold Coast Suns AFLW side have made history and become the first Suns side to qualify for finals after the AFL yesterday announced the AFLW finals series would commence this weekend.
AFL
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THE Gold Coast Suns AFLW side have made history and become the first Suns side to qualify for finals after the AFL announced tonight the AFLW finals series would commence this weekend.
The AFL announced on Wednesday night that the final two rounds of the AFLW season will be cancelled and the competition will head straight into a finals series after speaking with the AFLW playing cohort throughout the week.
The top four sides from each conference will qualify for the three week finals series, meaning the Suns join North Melbourne, Brisbane and the Giants in finals.
Suns CEO Mark Evans said that the club couldn’t wait to make history as they await their week one fixture which is expected on Thursday morning.
“Our Suns AFLW team will create history,” he said.
“We couldn’t be prouder of the way our AFLW players and staff have conducted themselves in their inaugural season.”
“I think the community has been behind the women’s team all year.
“We had great attendance at our first game at Metricon and the community support has been tremendous so this gives us something to be incredibly proud for and excited for and maybe that is just what we need right now.”
Although it was initially reported that only the top two sides from each conference would qualify for finals, the AFL Players’ Association quickly reassured players that their preferred finals fixture, a three week finals series with the top four teams from each conference, would be honoured.
“We have become aware that there was a graphic shown on the AFLW website that announced that the final series would be top four,” the email sent to the players read.
“We have picked this up immediately with the AFL and can confirm that it will be an eight team finals series – the top four teams from each conference.
“This is consistent with the preferred structure put to the AFL by the AFLPA after consultation with a delegate from every club today.”
The AFL is yet to advise how the AFLW finals will be structured but a fixture is expected on Thursday morning.
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