The AFL have locked in the schedule for week one of the finals following Gold Coast’s win over Essendon on Wednesday night.
This weekend will be the league’s pre-finals bye and then the finals will begin next Thursday with minor premiers Adelaide hosting Collingwood at Adelaide Oval.
Geelong will play Brisbane Lions at the MCG next Friday night and then the two elimination finals will be played next Saturday.
GWS Giants will face Hawthorn at Engie Stadium at 3.15pm and Fremantle hosts the Suns at Optus Stadium at 7.35pm.
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11.38pm on Aug 27, 2025
That’s all for tonight
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Thanks so much for joining us tonight.
We will have more footy coverage over the weekend with our AFLW slow blog and more AFL stories before we are back with live blogs for all the week one finals.
Please keep checking in on our sport sites and have a lovely evening.
Bye for now.
10.56pm on Aug 27, 2025
Hardwick proud as Suns salute; Swallow could play finals
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Suns coach Damien Hardwick cut a proud figure as he watched his side secure their first finals berth on Wednesday night.
But Hardwick revealed post game he was as “flat” as he had ever felt following the club’s loss to Port Adelaide on Saturday night when a win would have sealed a finals spot.
Suns coach Damien Hardwick.Getty Images
“Credit where credit is due. The players responded,” Hardwick said.
“It’s been a tough week. I’ve never been as flat as I was after that [Port] game and I’m really pleased with the way they responded today.
“I’m really proud of the way they have developed this year.”
Hardwick said Suns veteran David Swallow would be considered for selection if he was able to train well but it remained to be seen if he would make the final side.
“The first statue that will be built will be for David Swallow,” Hardwick said.
“He could have gone but he stayed, he could have got more money, instead he took less and stayed and then he gave money back, so others could get more.
“He’s coming off an injury, but we hope he will train well and then it will be become a question of head or heart.”
Pinned post from 10.22pm on Aug 27, 2025
AFL finals week one
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The AFL have locked in the schedule for week one of the finals following Gold Coast’s win over Essendon on Wednesday night.
This weekend will be the league’s pre-finals bye and then the finals will begin next Thursday with minor premiers Adelaide hosting Collingwood at Adelaide Oval.
Geelong will play Brisbane Lions at the MCG next Friday night and then the two elimination finals will be played next Saturday.
GWS Giants will face Hawthorn at Engie Stadium at 3.15pm and Fremantle hosts the Suns at Optus Stadium at 7.35pm.
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10.14pm on Aug 27, 2025
Suns sing it loud and proud
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The Suns lapped up the applause from their home fans and families before coming into the rooms and belting out their team song.
They are heading into their first finals series. It took more than a decade but they are now in the top eight.
They will enjoy these moments and then turn their focus to an elimination final with Fremantle in Perth.
Noah Anderson of the Suns celebrates kicking a goal.Getty Images
10.12pm on Aug 27, 2025
Full-time stats
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10.10pm on Aug 27, 2025
‘I can’t wipe the smile off my face’: Miller
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Suns veteran Touk Miller spoke to Fox Footy post game after watching his side lock in their first ever finals berth.
On the win: “It’s unbelievable... It’s been 11 years for myself and longer for others for us to get ourselves in position to play finals footy, and it feels fantastic,” Miller told Fox Footy.
“I can’t wipe the smile off my face. This is fantastic.”
Touk Miller in actionAFL Photos
Did he lose belief? “It’s hard to say. You never want to say you lost belief because you would never get yourself in positions like this if you do,” Miller said.
“I feel like we gutted it out. We still have a long way to go and we don’t want to stop at one final. We want to play to win a flag and get ourselves a shot at it. That’s all that matters right now.”
How far can the team go, and can they win in Perth? “There’s no ceiling on where we can go, and we travel all the time. It’s something we do every single week,” Miller said.
“It doesn’t matter how far we have to go, we have to get the job done. The crowd is going to be hostile, it’s going to be fun, and I’m looking forward to it.”
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9.58pm on Aug 27, 2025
FT: Gold Coast 23.15 (153) d Essendon 8.10 (58)
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The Suns are into their first finals series and Essendon’s horror season is finally over.
Jarrod Witts booted a goal after the siren to give the team their best winning margin in any match.
Bailey Humphrey.AFL Photos
9.52pm on Aug 27, 2025
Make that seven for King
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That’s a new career high for Ben King with seven goals tonight.
He has stepped up when the Suns needed an assured performance, and next he will get to test himself against a very strong Fremantle defence.
Alex Pearce and the Dockers defence will have their work cut out for them.
Suns 141, Dons 57 with three mins to go.
Ben King celebrates a goal.AFL Photos
9.46pm on Aug 27, 2025
Kako snaps another goal
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Isaac Kako may be small of stature but he has been a tower of strength for the Dons, despite being in his first season.
He’s played every game and now snapped a goal in the final stages of the season.
They have found a long-term player. That much is clear.
Suns 135, Dons 50 with seven mins to go.
Isaac Kako of the Bombers.AFL Photos
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9.43pm on Aug 27, 2025
McMahon adds another one
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Liam McMahon won’t yet know if his AFL career will get a second campaign as the Dons weigh up who to keep on their list next season.
But he has knocked in another goal, making that 12 goals from seven games after joining the club in the mid-season draft.
Noah Anderson booted another goal at the other end as the Suns kept rolling.