The AFL is pleased to announce the dates and times for Week 1 of the 2019 Hard Yakka / Totally Workwear VFL and Swisse Wellness VFL Women’s ‘Love the Game’ Finals Series.

Richmond and Footscray – one and two on the VFL 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 Adcon Stadium (North Port Oval).

Four AFL finalists – Richmond, Footscray (Western Bulldogs), Essendon and Geelong – will have aligned teams in the VFL finals, joining Box Hill Hawks and VFL standalone clubs Williamstown, Werribee and Port Melbourne in the 2019 VFL premiership race. It will be the 14th straight finals appearance for Williamstown, with the Seagulls entering their seventh qualifying final in a row.

The VFL Women’s finals will also be played at Adcon Stadium starting on August 31, with Collingwood earning a home qualifying final at Victoria Park after producing back-to-back minor premierships. Collingwood will be joined in the new top six finals format by Southern Saints, Western Bulldogs, Richmond, Geelong and Melbourne Uni. New AFL Women’s sides St Kilda (Southern Saints) and Richmond will both feature in the VFL Women’s finals for the first time, after finishing eighth and twelfth respectively in their inaugural seasons last year.

The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation will once again support the finals as naming rights partner, 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 enjoy the performances of teams that play in the finals.

AFL Head of Talent Pathways & State League Competitions Tristan Salter said the finals series partnership will continue to remind supporters to enjoy the most exciting part of the season, whether your team wins or loses.

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

“We’re proud to once again have the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation partner with us for the VFL and VFL Women’s finals, and fans will be able enjoy both competitions with double-header finals throughout.

“The finals will once again showcase the variety of alignment models we have within the competitions, and we wish all teams the best of luck for the upcoming games.”

Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation CEO Shane Lucas said his organisation is again looking forward to supporting the VFL finals series.

“We’re proud to continue our partnership with the VFL ‘Love the Game’ Finals series to show kids, and families, that sport and betting don’t have to go together,” Mr Lucas said.

“Sports betting advertising is too pervasive, especially during footy finals, and that takes the focus away from the fun and spirit of our great national game.

“For young people, betting on sport has become normalised, which is why it’s so important to talk to kids about the risks associated with gambling.”

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 afternoon at Punt Road Oval and finishing with the Grand Final at Ikon Park, with coverage of both the VFL and VFL women’s season finales on Sunday, September 22.

Pre-sale tickets will be available for all finals matches, to help fans avoid any possible queues on gameday. All lead-up finals will be at 2018 prices, with adults $15, concession/pensioners $10 and kids under 15 free and will be on sale each Monday at vfl.com.au/finals.

Hard Yakka / Totally Workwear VFL / Swisse Wellness VFL Women’s

Love the Game Finals Series

Week 1: Saturday August 31 / Sunday September 1

VFL

Saturday August 31

Qualifying Final 1: Richmond vs Essendon, Swinburne Centre, 2.10pm

Qualifying Final 2: Footscray vs Williamstown, VU Whitten Oval, 1pm

Elimination Final 2: Geelong vs Port Melbourne, Adcon Stadium, 2.10pm

Sunday September 1

Elimination Final 1: Werribee vs Box Hill Hawks, Adcon Stadium, 2.10pm

VFLW

Saturday August 31

Qualifying Final: Collingwood vs Southern Saints, Victoria Park, 12pm (free entry)

Elimination Final 2: Melbourne Uni vs Geelong Cats, Adcon Stadium, 11.45am

Sunday September 1

Elimination Final 1: Western Bulldogs vs Richmond, Adcon Stadium, 11.45am