The business end of the AFL season is nearly here and eyes are already being cast toward the first week of finals.
Which eight teams will make the finals and who will play in the first week?
The Sporting News predicts what the opening round of the post-season will look like.
MORE: AFL top eight prediction: Who will make the finals series in 2023?
Predicted AFL ladder at conclusion of home-and-away season
| Pos. | Team | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Collingwood | 72 |
| 2. | Brisbane | 68 |
| 3. | Port Adelaide | 68 |
| 4. | Melbourne | 60 |
| 5. | Carlton | 58 |
| 6. | Sydney | 54 |
| 7. | St Kilda | 52 |
| 8. | GWS | 48 |
Round 24 prediction
Collingwood should lock in top spot despite losing three of the past four, against an Essendon side reeling from a 126-point loss to GWS.
At their fortress Gabba, Brisbane will account for St Kilda in a result that will secure second-position and a home final.
We can expect Port Adelaide to have no issues against Richmond at Adelaide Oval.
Sydney host Melbourne in a home elimination final on the cards if they win, and St Kilda lose to Brisbane, in a match that will be a tough ask for the Saints.
The finals race could come down to Carlton v GWS on Sunday night, if the Bulldogs beat the Cats in Geelong on Saturday night, although Luke Beveridge's team could struggle to get the job done down there.
A Bulldogs loss means the Giants make the eight regardless of their result against the Blues.
MORE: When is the AFL Finals 2023? Dates, schedule, matches for post-season
Predicted AFL qualifying finals
Collingwood vs Melbourne (MCG)
Just like King's Birthday, but bigger.
What a contest this would be.
In their only home-and-away game this season, the Demons got the job done by four points on King's Birthday.
Melbourne look to be hitting form at the right time of year, while the Magpies have lost three of their last four games.
Brisbane vs Port Adelaide (Gabba)
The Lions get their all-important home final, where they haven't lost a game across the entire 2023 season to date.
Port Adelaide are capable of challenging Brisbane, but it will be mighty tough away from home.
The winner of this game will set themselves up with an all-important home preliminary final.
Predicted AFL elimination finals
Carlton vs GWS (MCG)
Two matches between these two teams in a row, but this time it will be at the MCG, instead of Marvel Stadium.
The Giants have travelled well this season and will pose a threat to the Blues.
But who can deny Carlton?
Many critics believe the Blues are currently the best team in the competition.
Sydney vs St Kilda (SCG)
Both teams were deemed unlikely to make finals a few weeks but are now locked in and will likely be playing each other.
The Swans will be favourites on their home deck and have been in great form of late.
However, the Saints have won four of their past five matches and beat Sydney at the SCG during the season.
When do AFL Finals 2023 start?
An official start time for the AFL finals has not been announced, but the 2023 AFL Finals will take place two weeks after the conclusion of the regular season.
While the AFL is yet to confirm times for Round 24, the final game is likely to be played on Sunday, August 27th. A post-season bye week will follow, with finals to begin the week after.
That marks Thursday, September 7th as the likely starting slot for the 2023 AFL Finals with qualifying and elimination finals played across that date and weekend until Sunday, September 10.
MORE: AFL Grand Final date: When does the 2023 spectacle start?
When do AFL Finals 2023 end?
The AFL season will conclude with the 2023 AFL Grand Final, which is set to take place in the fourth week of finals.
With a late start to finals in 2023, the season finale will take place on Saturday, September 30th.
