AFL Victoria is pleased to announce dates and times for Week 1 of the 2018 Peter Jackson VFL and Swisse Wellness VFL Women’s ‘Love the Game’ Finals Series.

A highlight of the opening weekend of finals will be a Saturday night match at the Swinburne Centre (Punt Road Oval), live in prime time on Channel 7 between Richmond and Williamstown. The Tigers secured the minor premiership with a final round win against Frankston, while Williamstown secured the all-important double chance, finishing in fourth spot after knocking Casey Demons from top spot in the final round.

Both Richmond and Casey – one and two on the ladder at the end of the home and away season – have secured home finals, with the elimination finals, semi-finals and preliminary finals to be played at Port Melbourne’s Stannards Stadium (North Port Oval).

The VFL Women’s finals will also be played at Stannards Stadium starting on September 8 after a bye weekend, with Collingwood earning the minor premiership after suffering just one defeat for the season. The Magpies will be joined by Hawthorn, NT Thunder and Geelong in the finals.

The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation will return as naming rights partner for the finals series, with the Foundations Love the Game’ campaign encouraging football fans, officials and players to think about why they love the game and to appreciate the skills and performances of teams that play in the competition without engaging in gambling.

AFL Victoria CEO Steven Reaper said the finals series partnership will continue to remind supporters to enjoy the football on the field – win or lose – during the most exciting part of the season.

“We’re proud to once again have the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation partner with us for the VFL and VFL Women’s finals, to help remind adults and the kids in their care that sport and betting don’t have to go together,” Reaper said.

“Whether a player or a fan, it’s about loving the game, not the odds.

“The ongoing support of the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation is helping clubs to create safe and healthy environments for members, as well as teaching them about the risks of ‘normalising’ gambling in the community.”

Five AFL finalists – Richmond, Melbourne (Casey Demons), Geelong, Collingwood and Hawthorn (Box Hill Hawks) – will have aligned teams in the VFL finals, joining Essendon and VFL standalone clubs Williamstown and Port Melbourne in the 2018 VFL finals series.

Channel 7 will broadcast a VFL final Saturday and Sunday throughout the first three weeks of the VFL ‘Love the Game’ Finals Series, starting Saturday night at Punt Road Oval and finishing with the Grand Final at Etihad Stadium. Both VFL and VFL Women’s finals will conclude with the Grand Finals at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, September 23.

Pre-sale tickets will be available for all lead-up finals matches, to help fans avoid any possible queues on gameday. All lead-up finals will be at 2017 prices, with adults $15, concession/pensioners $10 and kids under 15 free and will be on sale at midday each Monday at vfl.com.au/presale.

PETER JACKSON VFL

2nd QUALIFYING FINAL: Casey Demons (2nd) vs Geelong (3rd)

Saturday September 1, 2.10pm @ Casey Fields

1st ELIMINATION FINAL: Box Hill Hawks (6th) vs Port Melbourne (7th)

Saturday September 1, 2.10pm @ Stannards Stadium (North Port Oval)

1st QUALIFYING FINAL: Richmond (1st) vs Williamstown (4th)**

Saturday September 1, 7.10pm @ Swinburne Centre (Punt Road Oval) – LIVE on Channel 7

2nd ELIMINATION FINAL: Collingwood (5th) vs Essendon (8th)

Sunday September 2, 2.10pm @ Stannards Stadium (North Port Oval) – LIVE on Channel 7

SWISSE WELLNESS VFL WOMEN’S

1st SEMI FINAL: Collingwood (1st) vs Hawthorn (2nd)

Saturday September 8, time TBC* @ Stannards Stadium (North Port Oval)

2nd SEMI FINAL: NT Thunder (3rd) vs Geelong Cats (4th)

Sunday September 9, time TBC* @ Stannards Stadium (North Port Oval)

* both VFL W finals will be double-headers with VFL semi-final matches, with confirmed times to announced during the week

**No tickets on gate – fully ticketed event