The AFL Finals Series begins with a clash between Collingwood and Melbourne in the First Qualifying Final.
Re-energised under coach Craig McRae, the Magpies have secured the minor premiership and earned praise as the competition's best side.
The Demons, with a wealth of finals experience under their belt, will be confident they can challenge Collingwood at the MCG.
MORE: AFL membership numbers 2023: All-time record broken for competition
What time is the AFL tonight? Collingwood vs Melbourne start time
Thursday night's game between Collingwood and Melbourne will begin at 7.20pm AEST.
The game will be played at the MCG in Melbourne.
| City | Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane | Adelaide | Perth |
| Time | 7.20pm | 7.20pm | 7.20pm | 6.50pm | 5.20pm |
How to watch or livestream Collingwood vs Melbourne
| Region | Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane | Adelaide | Perth | Tasmania | Darwin |
| Channel | Fox Footy/Channel 7 | Fox Footy/Channel 7 | Fox Footy/Channel 7 | Fox Footy/Channel 7 | Fox Footy/7mate | Fox Footy/Channel 7 | Fox Footy/Channel 7 |
| Broadcast time | 7.00pm | 7.00pm | 7.00pm | 6.30pm | 5.00pm | 7.00pm | 6.30pm |
Kayo Sports will stream the game live and a replay will be available post-match.
MORE: AFL Injury List 2023
Collingwood vs Melbourne odds
Collingwood is favoured to win this game with odds of $1.82 to Melbourne's $2.00, as per Dabble.
Collingwood vs Melbourne First Qualifying Final team lists and substitute
Collingwood's starting 22
Substitute: TBC at 6.20pm AEST
| Full Back | Nathan Murphy | Darcy Moore | Isaac Quaynor |
| Half Back | Brayden Maynard | Oleg Markov | Scott Pendlebury |
| Centre | Steele Sidebottom | Taylor Adams | Josh Daicos |
| Half Forward | Bobby Hill | Brody Mihocek | Jeremy Howe |
| Full Forward | Jordan De Goey | Daniel McStay | Jamie Elliott |
| Followers | Mason Cox | Beau McCreery | Jack Crisp |
| Interchange | Patrick Lipinski | Darcy Cameron | Tom Mitchell |
| Will Hoskin-Elliott | |||
| Emergencies | Finlay Macrae | Billy Frampton | Jack Ginnivan |
| John Noble |
INS: Beau McCreery, Darcy Moore, Nathan Murphy
OUTS: Billy Frampton (Omitted), Finlay Macrae (Sub), Jack Ginnivan (Omitted), John Noble (Omitted)
Melbourne's starting 22
Substitute: TBC at 6.20pm AEST
| Full Back | Michael Hibbered | Steven May | Jake Bowey |
| Half Back | Judd McVee | Jake Lever | Angus Brayshaw |
| Centre | Kysaiah Pickett | Jack Viney | Ed Langdon |
| Half Forward | Lachie Hunter | Tom McDonald | Alex Neal-Bullen |
| Full Forward | Tom Sparrow | Jacob van Rooyen | Kade Chandler |
| Followers | Max Gawn | Clayton Oliver | Christian Petracca |
| Interchange | Trent Rivers | Joel Smith | Christian Salem |
| Bailey Fritsch | |||
| Emergencies | Adam Tomlinson | Brodie Grundy | Bailey Laurie |
| James Jordon |
INS: Michael Hibberd, Tom McDonald
OUTS: Bailey Laurie (Sub), Daniel Turner (Omitted), Jake Melksham (Injured)
