After an action-packed season, the NRL and AFL Finals are finally upon us.
In the AFL, it was Collingwood who won the minor premiership as they go in search of their first premiership since 2010.
That said, they face some strong competition who are bound to put up a fight.
As for the NRL, the Penrith Panthers came out on top during the regular season, but can they see off the likes of the Broncos, Warriors and Storm in their bid to lift the iconic Provan-Summons in back-to-back-to-back seasons?
We shall have to see.
There’s some incredible pairings looking to make a difference on the park during the finals.
Can brothers Josh and Nick Daicos finally lead the Magpies to an AFL premiership?
Over in the NRL, will father-son duo Nathan and Ivan Cleary go back-to-back-to-back with the Panthers?
Another brilliant pair sitting on the shelf at Woolies is CC’s Corandos Cheese & Bacon – a tasty flavour combo and the premier chip of choice during finals footy.
So, with a packet of chips-in-hand, here’s EVERYTHING you need to know about the NRL and AFL Finals.
WHO IS LEFT IN THE NRL?
The Penrith Panthers, Brisbane Broncos, NZ Warriors, Melbourne Storm, Newcastle Knights, Cronulla Sharks, Sydney Roosters and Canberra Raiders all made the top eight.
Last season’s Grand Final runners up the Parramatta Eels narrowly missed out alongside stacked teams like the South Sydney Rabbitohs and North Queensland Cowboys.
For the Bunnies, they became the first team in history to miss out on the eights despite leading the comp after the 11 rounds – a stat made even more damning by the fact it was local rivals the Roosters who beat them in the last game of the season.
WHO IS LEFT IN THE AFL?
The Collingwood Magpies, Brisbane Lions, Port Adelaide Power, Melbourne Demons, Carlton, St Kilda, GWS Giants and Sydney Swans made it to the Finals.
Incredibly, last year’s premiers the Geelong Cats finished 12th on the ladder, while 2021’s runner up the Western Bulldogs also missed out by just two points having finished 9th.
HOW THE FINALS WORK FOR THE NRL?
HOW THE FINALS WORK IN THE AFL
WHEN IS IT HAPPENING?
NRL Finals Week 1
Fri 8th Sep: 1st vs 4th
Sat 9th Sep: 5th vs 8th
Sat 9th Sep: 2nd vs 3rd
Sun 10th Sep: 6th vs 7th
NRL Finals Week 2
Fri 15th Sep: TBA vs TBA
Sat 16th Sep: TBA vs TBA
NRL Preliminary Finals
Fri 22nd Sep: TBA vs TBA
Sat 23rd Sep: TBA vs TBA
NRL Grand Final
Sun 1st Oct: TBA vs TBA at Accor Stadium, Sydney
AFL Qualifying and Elimination Finals
Thu 7th Sep: Collingwood vs Melbourne, 7:20pm @ MCG
Fri 8th Sep: Carlton vs Sydney, 7:50pm @ MCG
Sat 9th Sep 9: St Kilda vs GWS, 3:20pm @ MCG
Sat 9th Sep 9:Brisbane vs Port Adelaide, 7:25pm @ Gabba
AFL Semi Finals
Fri 15th Sep: TBC vs TBC
Sat 16th Sep: TBC vs TBC
AFL Preliminary Finals
Fri 22nd Sep: TBC vs TBC
Sat 23rd Sep: TBC vs TBC
AFL Grand Final
Sat 30th Sep: TBC v TBC, 2:30pm @ MCG
New CC’s Cornados Cheese & Bacon is available at Woolworths - the premier chip of choice to enjoy this footy finals season.
Featured Image Credit: GettyTopics: Australia, Aussie Rules Football, Australia Afl, NRL, Rugby League
Max Sherry