It always feels like a weird week when there’s no footy on but finally, finals time is here.

More often than not, there’s at least one WA team playing in the finals; however, it’s fair to say that 2023 hasn’t been a great year for the teams out west.

The Fremantle Dockers started the season with finals hopes and with many pegging them to even finish in the top 4. West Coast, on the other hand, weren’t tipped to sniff the finals; however, I think it’s safe to say that no one expected a season quite as bad as this for West Coast.

While there will be no WA teams to support, this is the time that family and friends plea with Fremantle and West Coast supporters to jump on their team’s bandwagon for the month of September.

So in the spirit of keeping the footy conversation kicking, we’ve provided our predictions for week one of the AFL Finals.

Week One Finals Fixtures and Predictions

Thursday, September 7

First qualifying final — Collingwood v Melbourne (MCG, 5:20 pm AWST)

In what seems like a grand final-worthy match-up in round one, Melbourne Demons — the 2021 champions — will be taking on the top-of-the-table Collingwood Magpies to kick off the first week of the AFL Finals.

While Collingwood will likely still be without their star player in Nick Daicos, their ball movement and offensive power were on full display against Essendon in Round 24 — suggesting the couple-week hiccup might just be out of their system.

For the Demons, it seems that it’s been a season where they haven’t quite hit their stride or recaptured the form of 2021. But Finals is a different beast, and they know what it takes to win come September.

Last time they met: RD13 Melbourne 8.18 (66) v Collingwood 9.8 (62)

Player to watch: Jordan De Goey

Winner: Collingwood

Friday, September 8

First elimination final — Carlton v Sydney (MCG, 5:50 pm AWST)

For many Carlton fans, it has been a season of despair followed by a season of hope. The big question that every supporter wants to know is which Carlton side will show up in the Finals. The team that was once 15th with only four wins after 13 rounds, or the team that put together one of the longest winning streaks of 2023?

Much like Carlton, Sydney has had an up-and-down season, which is to be expected with a list full of young star players. While the Swans were able to sneak into the top eight, will they have enough firepower to get passed the Blues who have been one of the AFL’s top teams in the second half of the season?

Last time they met: RD13 Sydney 11.11 (77) v Carlton 6.15 (51)

Player to watch: Charlie Curnow

Winner: Carlton

Saturday, September 9

Second elimination final — St Kilda v Greater Western Sydney (MCG, 1:20 pm AWST)

Both clubs are capable of providing premiership-worthy games on any given day. Both clubs are also capable of providing below-par-worthy games.

Ross The Boss has taken St Kilda back to the promised land after the club narrowly missed the top eight in 2022, while GWS has defied the doubters rebounding from a miserable 2022 season where they finished with the third worst record.

This match-up could go either way; however, a home game for St Kilda should see them have the advantage. But where the game is played might not factor in if Toby Greene is up and about for GWS.

Last time they met: RD13 GWS 12.8 (80) v St Kilda 13.14 (92)

Player to watch: Toby Greene

Winner: St Kilda

Second qualifying final — Brisbane v Port Adelaide (Gabba, 5:25 pm AWST)

While the hype train has been on Brisbane over the last few seasons, their inability to win at the MCG has caused many to doubt their finals hopes regardless of how well they perform in the regular season.

On the other hand, Port Adelaide has not only been a surprise team with the emergence of Rozee and Butters but has also become one of the must-watch teams in 2023.

Although Brisbane will have the experience and the home-field advantage, Port Adelaide might just have the run and dynamic game style that could see the Lions chasing their tails in week one.

To cause an upset, though, Port Adelaide will have to figure out how to stop Brisbane’s engine room led by Lachie Neale.

Last time they met: RD13 Port Adelaide 18.18 (126) v Brisbane 11.6 (72)

Player to watch: Lachie Neale

Winner: Brisbane

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