The AFL’s finals bracket has been confirmed and for the first time ever, 10 teams will battle it out for the premiership.
It all starts with the addition of Wildcard Round this weekend, with Melbourne facing Carlton and the Western Bulldogs taking on Collingwood for the final spots in the top eight.
Sydney faces an uphill battle to win the flag without three superstars. Getty Images
All eyes, however, will be on Sydney – given they will be without three All-Australian stars and two quality role players – and their path to the premiership.
Despite hosting them at the SCG, the Swans will undoubtedly enter as significant underdogs when they face reigning premiers Brisbane in a qualifying final.
Adelaide looms as their likely opponent should they lose to Brisbane, with the Crows set to host either the Bulldogs or Magpies in an elimination final.
A win over Adelaide would send Sydney to a preliminary final, facing the winner of the Fremantle versus Hawthorn qualifier. This likely means a trip to Perth and needing to take down the minor premiers.
It looms as a mammoth task for the Swans without Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice.
Brisbane has lost one game in three months and look as strong as they have at any point of recent premiership campaigns.
And if the Swans can get through their semi-final, likely against Adelaide, they’re rewarded with the most daunting task in footy – Fremantle at Optus Stadium.
Many at the Swans have every right to feel frustrated by the situation, given they were marching towards a chance to redeem the 2022 and 2024 grand final thrashings.
If Sydney beat Brisbane, however, they will similarly host a preliminary final at the SCG, and will face one of Fremantle, Hawthorn, Geelong, Melbourne or Carlton. The Hawks would be the most likely match-up here.
Meanwhile, with the way the finals bracket has fallen, the AFL has dodged an awkward double-up with the looming NFL game at the MCG during semi-final weekend.
Sydney facing Brisbane means there can only be maximum one game at the MCG during that weekend, which will be fixtured for the Saturday night, given the Rams-49ers game is Friday morning.
That game would have to feature Hawthorn and will only be required if they lose to Fremantle in Perth in their qualifying final.
The Hawks would host one of Geelong, Melbourne or Carlton in that game, meaning an enormous crowd would be on the cards. It will be a huge task for MCG staff to ensure the ground is ready.
Fremantle’s path to an inaugural premiership is clear. They’ve done the hard work to finish first and are two wins in front of 55,000 frothing fans away from a grand final.
They will be hoping the Swans find a way to beat the Lions, given they would likely rather face Brisbane in Perth on preliminary final weekend than at the MCG on grand final day, where they have more experience than any other team.
The Dockers are two Optus Stadium wins from a grand final. AFL Photos via Getty Images
If the Dockers and Lions both win their respective qualifying finals, as many will predict, that will become the most likely grand final match-up. The two teams have never met in a final before. Their first September encounter could be on grand final day.
With Sydney crippled, the Fremantle-Brisbane grand final is clearly the most likely outcome. Hawthorn, Adelaide and Geelong would be the most likely teams to upset that trajectory.
Melbourne, Carlton, Collingwood and the Bulldogs will need to win five consecutive finals to win the premiership thanks to the addition of Wildcard Round.