Week 1 of the AFL Finals sorted after crazy round 24

The AFL top eight was finally decided after the very last match of the regular season, with one team left crushed on Sunday.

GWS Giants celebrate, Western Bulldogs can think of next year. Photos: Getty Images

The race for the top eight in 2023 proved one of the closest in years, with the finalists only decided after the last match of the home-and-away season.

At the very end of round 24, it was the GWS Giants celebrating a victory over Carlton that ensured they would make the finals.

That meant the Western Bulldogs, who had beaten Geelong earlier in the round to temporarily move into the top eight, were the team to miss out.

Watch every match of every round of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. Join now and start streaming instantly >

A whole heap of spots in the finals were still up in the air going into the final round.

The Brisbane Lions took care of business against St Kilda, which locked them into second spot on the ladder, granting them a home qualifying final.

The loss for the Saints left them in limbo - with the Swans losing to Melbourne and the Giants’ victory, the Saints jumped around before finishing sixth.

With all that settled, here’s how the opening week of the finals looks with the dates and times for every game.

First Qualifying Final: (1) Collingwood vs (4) Melbourne

Date: Thursday, September 7

Time: 7:20pm (AEST)

Location: MCG

First Elimination Final: (5) Carlton vs (8) Sydney Swans

Date: Friday, September 8

Time: 7:50pm (AEST)

Location: MCG

Second Elimination Final: (6) St Kilda vs (7) GWS Giants

Date: Saturday, September 9

Time: 3:20pm (AEST)

Location: MCG/Marvel Stadium

Second Qualifying Final: (2) Brisbane Lions vs (3) Port Adelaide

Date: Saturday, September 9

Time: 7:25pm (AEST)

Location: Gabba

It’s Finals time. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Carlton v Greater Western Sydney Giants - 6.10pm, Melbourne Cricket Ground

The Giants were playing for their 2023 lives in a massive clash at the MCG to conclude the home-and-away season.

A win would see them scrape through ahead of their bitter rivals, the Western Bulldogs, while a loss would see the Dogs scrape into the top eight.

Carlton, conversely, were locked into fifth with Melbourne’s win over Sydney and had nothing to play for - a loss was immaterial for their season going forward.

In the end, the Blues started well before the Giants clicked into gear, with Toby Greene’s four goals helping them to an impressive 32-point triumph.

Sydney Swans v Melbourne - 3.30pm, Sydney Cricket Ground

Sydney were playing for the opportunity to host an elimination final on familiar territory at the SCG, but could not get it done in front of a massive crowd of 41,753 who came to farewell club legend Buddy Franklin.

The Dees were clinical throughout, led by Bayley Fritsch with five goals after an ankle injury scare.

They will be concerned by the impending loss of Jake Melksham, whose knee buckled underneath him in worrying signs before eventually being subbed off.

Melbourne will play Collingwood at the MCG in the first qualifying final on Thursday night, while Sydney now take on Carlton in Melbourne.

The run home - everything you need to know

Here is how the finalists have shaped up for some September action.

GWS Giants celebrate, Western Bulldogs can think of next year. Photos: Getty Images

1: Collingwood Magpies

Locked in to top spot after defeating Essendon on Friday night. Will play fourth-placed Melbourne at the MCG in week one.

2: Brisbane Lions

Locked away second and a home final against Port Adelaide with a win over St Kilda. Undefeated at the Gabba this year where they’ll play week one.

3: Port Adelaide

Have locked in third place with a win over Richmond and will play Brisbane at the Gabba in a mouthwatering week one match-up.

4: Melbourne

Will take some form into the clash with the Pies after knocking over the Swans in Sydney.

5: Carlton

Locked into 5th with Sydney’s loss to Melbourne and will need to rebound from the upset defeat to the Giants at home.

6: St Kilda

Have finished sixth under Ross Lyon and earned a home final that no one saw coming, taking on GWS on Saturday afternoon.

Bring on September. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

7: GWS Giants

The equation was simple, the Giants simply had to win on Sunday night. And they did just that to cap a remarkable second half of the season.

8: Sydney Swans

Apart from the Bulldogs, they were the big losers of the weekend. A likely home final disappeared with the loss to the Demons and they need to travel to face Carlton on Friday night.

9: Western Bulldogs

Started Sunday in eighth, but that all changed after the GWS victory. Major questions will now be asked of coach Luke Beveridge and co.

Originally published as Week 1 of the AFL Finals sorted after crazy round 24