The Sydney Derby blockbuster elimination final between the Swans and Giants will be played in Launceston after the AFL announced the schedule for the first week of finals.
It will be the third finals meeting between the cross-town rivals in six seasons when they square off at the University of Tasmania Stadium on Saturday afternoon, 28 August at 3.20pm.
GWS have won both previous finals comfortably, beating the Swans by 36 points in the 2016 qualifying final at ANZ Stadium.
They followed it up with a dominant elimination final win in 2018, holding the Swans to just 30 points in a 49-point thumping at the SCG.
The winner will meet the loser of the qualifying final between Port Adelaide and Geelong.
It has been a terrific effort from both Sydney sides to make the finals given they’ve been away from home since 22 June due to the COVID situation in NSW.
The Swans finished in 6th place on the ladder with 15 wins and 7 losses while the Giants placed 7th with 11 wins, 10 losses and a draw.
The Sydney Derby will be one of two finals played in Launceston, with the other elimination final between the Bulldogs and Bombers to be played there on Sunday afternoon.
The two qualifying finals will be played at Adelaide Oval with Port Adelaide the only side to get a true home final.
Match day ticket information for Week One of the 2021 Toyota AFL Finals Series will be announced tomorrow, Monday August 22.
Full AFL Finals Week One Schedule
Second Qualifying Final
Port Adelaide Power (2nd) v Geelong Cats (3rd) at Adelaide Oval, Friday 27 August, 7.50pm (AEST)
A repeat of last year’s qualifying final, won by the Power at the same venue. Port charged into the top-two with nine wins in their last 10 outings and will enjoy home ground advantage in a season where most finals will be played at neutral venues. But the Cats won’t have any fears over travelling to Adelaide Oval, having won the most recent meeting between these two sides in South Australia in round 13.
Second Elimination Final
Sydney Swans (6th) v GWS Giants (7th) at UTAS Stadium, Saturday 28 August, 3.20pm (AEST)
Both sides have endured weeks of uncertainty after leaving the coronavirus-hit harbour city in June to ensure they could continue their seasons. GWS will have to shut down Swans superstar Lance Franklin, who is just eight straight kicks away from reaching the 1000-goal milestone.
First Qualifying Final
Melbourne Demons (1st) v Brisbane Lions (4th) at Adelaide Oval, Saturday 28 August, 7.30pm (AEST)
Victoria’s COVID-19 lockdown has denied Melbourne a home final, with the league determined to play its biggest matches in front of crowds. The Dees are riding high on confidence after coming from 44 points down to beat Geelong after the siren in round 23 to seal their first minor premiership since 1964, while Brisbane earnt the double chance by squeezing the Western Bulldogs out of the top-four by 0.5% in a thrilling finish against West Coast.
First Elimination Final
Western Bulldogs (5th) v Essendon (8th) at UTAS Stadium, Sunday 29 August, 3.20pm (AEST)
The first Sunday afternoon final since 2015 after the AFL scrapped the pre-finals bye in a decision that ruled out the possibility of a Thursday night fixture. Despite qualifying as the lowest-ranked side, the Bombers will take confidence into the sudden death fixture, having upset the Bulldogs earlier this month. It was one of three straight defeats for the Dogs in a losing run that cost them a top-four spot and finals double chance.
With AAP
