PORT ADELAIDE will kick off the AFL’s finals series with a blockbuster qualifying final against Geelong at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.
The AFL has confirmed the game will be the first of the finals to be played next weekend, with a start time of 7:20pm ACST / 7:50pm AEST.
SA Health and the South Australian Government will determine the capacity of Adelaide Oval for the fixture.
Port met the Cats in the same fixture last season, getting home by 16 points to move onto a home preliminary final.
AFL General Manager of Clubs and Broadcasting Travis Auld said the fixture for Week One of the Toyota AFL Finals Series sought to prioritise playing matches in front of crowds, along with considering relevant club preferences and balancing equitable day-breaks where possible for all clubs in the finals.
Mr Auld said the venue for each match has been determined in consultation with each host club and thanked the South Australian and Tasmanian Governments for their ongoing support.
“We thank the South Australian Government and Tasmanian Government for their commitment to finals football and we are excited for members and supporters in both states to attend the 2021 Toyota AFL Finals Series,” he said.
“The AFL, together with all teams participating in the Finals Series, have agreed to strict travel arrangements and other protocols as approved by respective State Governments.
“As we have done throughout the pandemic, we will continue to make changes that best manage the current environment and we will work closely with respective State and Territory Governments, all AFL Clubs and other key stakeholders while ensuring the health and safety of the community remains paramount.”
The Premier of South Australia, Steven Marshall said: “The entire country knows Adelaide Oval is a world-class venue, and it’s absolutely fantastic that the AFL Final Series can be played in front of fans at our iconic oval.
“Of course the health and safety of South Australians is always paramount - however - footy finals action is going to bring vibrancy and jobs into the Adelaide CBD when we need it the most.”
All matches in Week One of the Toyota AFL Finals Series will be broadcast live nationally on the Seven Network and Fox Footy and streamed live on Kayo.
Match day ticket information for the weekend’s games will be announced tomorrow, Monday August 22. Click here for general finals ticketing information.
Here is the complete fixture for the first week of the finals:
Friday, August 27
Second Qualifying Final, Port Adelaide vs. Geelong Cats at Adelaide Oval, 7:50pm AEST / 7:20pm
ACST
Saturday, August 28
Second Elimination Final, Sydney Swans vs. GWS GIANTS at University of Tasmania Stadium,
3:20pm AEST
Saturday, August 28
First Qualifying Final, Melbourne vs. Brisbane Lions at Adelaide Oval, 7:30pm AEST / 7:00pm ACST
Sunday, August 29
First Elimination Final, Western Bulldogs vs. Essendon at University of Tasmania Stadium, 3:20pm
AEST
