The AFL finals provide the best quality football of the season, with the best sides battling it out for the coveted premiership.
Only the AFL Grand Final remains, where fans will get the chance to watch Collingwood and Brisbane at their best.
The beginning of September is the traditional time slot for the finals, but with an added round in this year’s fixture, the finals were given a new start date.
The Sporting News has all the details for the 2023 AFL Finals in our complete guide.
When do AFL Finals 2023 start?
This year's finals began on Thursday, September 7, with Collingwood and Melbourne facing off in a qualifying final.
A Melbourne-Carlton blockbuster will signal the start of Week 2 of the finals on Friday, September 15.
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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.
The AFL Grand Final will start at 2:30pm (AEST) in the classic afternoon timeslot.
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What is the schedule for the AFL Finals Series 2023?
Qualifying and Elimination finals
| Date | Final | Fixture | Time (AEST) | Venue |
| Thu Sep 7 | 1st Qualifying | Collingwood 9.6 (60) def. Melbourne 7.11 (53) | 7:20pm | MCG |
| Fri Sep 8 | 1st Elimination | Carlton 11.8 (74) def. Sydney 9.14 (68) | 7:50pm | MCG |
| Sat Sep 9 | 2nd Elimination | St Kilda 11.11 (77) def. by GWS 15.11 (101) | 3:20pm | MCG |
| Sat Sep 9 | 2nd Qualifying | Brisbane 19.9 (123) def. Port Adelaide 11.9 (75) | 7:25pm | Gabba |
Semi Finals
| Date | Final | Fixture | Time (AEST) | Venue |
| Fri Sep 15 | 1st Semi | Melbourne 9.17 def. by Carlton 11.7 (73) | 7:50pm | MCG |
| Sat Sep 16 | 2nd Semi | Port Adelaide 9.16 (70) def. by GWS 13.15 (93) | 7:40pm | Adelaide Oval |
Preliminary Finals
| Date | Final | Fixture | Time (AEST) | Venue |
| Sep 22 | 1st Preliminary | Collingwood 8.10 (58) def. GWS 8.9 (57) | 7.50pm | MCG |
| Sep 23 | 2nd Preliminary | Brisbane 11.13 (79) def. Carlton 9.9 (63) | 5.15pm | Gabba |
Grand Final
| Date | Final | Fixture | Time (AEST) | Venue |
| Sat Sep 30 | Grand Final | Collingwood 12.18 (90) def. Brisbane 13.8 (86) | 2:30pm | MCG |
Who is playing in the 2023 AFL Grand Final?
Collingwood and Brisbane will meet in the Grand Final, having both won their respective preliminary finals.
The Magpies have held the top spot on the ladder for most of the year, while Brisbane finished the season strongly to take the second spot.
Lions midfielder Lachie Neale is a Brownlow Medal favourite, and among the team's biggest stars, with the club also boasting a dangerous forward line led by Joe Daniher and Charlie Cameron.
Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos has earned deserved praise for his stellar second season and will be hoping to play a big role in a premiership win.