Hawks to face Bombers in do-or-die finals clash
The AFL has today confirmed the fixture for Week One of the 2023 rebel VFLW Finals Series.
Saturday, July 8
Second Elimination Final, Box Hill Hawks (4th) vs. Essendon (5th)
Box Hill City Oval, 11:00am AEST
Sunday, July 9
Qualifying Final, Collingwood (1st) vs. Port Melbourne (2nd)
Victoria Park, 11:00am AEST
First Elimination Final, Williamstown (3rd) vs. Carlton (6th)
DSV Stadium, 4:30pm AEST
Entry to all rebel VFLW finals is free.
All matches in the 2023 rebel VFLW Finals Series will be broadcast live and free on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App.
The AFL is pleased to confirm the 2023 rebel VFLW Grand Final will be broadcast live on the Seven Network on Sunday, July 30.
AFL Head of State League Competitions Jennie Loughnan said the 2023 rebel VFLW Finals Series would feature six of the most evenly matched finalists in the competition’s history.
“We have experienced the most entertaining rebel VFLW home and away season to date and we cannot wait to see what unfolds throughout the 2023 rebel VFLW Finals Series,” Loughnan said.
“Nine of the competition’s 12 teams were still vying for a place in the finals heading into the last round, with only three wins separating the first and 10th-placed teams on the ladder at the end of the season.
“The even nature of the competition means the race for the premiership is wide open, with all six teams capable of winning the flag.
“As Victoria’s premier women’s football league, the rebel VFLW has continued to showcase the state’s best football talent, as demonstrated by the number of players who have been added to AFLW lists ahead of the upcoming campaign.
“We have been able to take the rebel VFLW to more people around the country by having all games in the 2023 season streamed live and free on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App. We are thrilled to again have the rebel VFLW Grand Final broadcast on the Seven Network.
“On behalf of the AFL, I would like to thank all clubs, players, umpires, venues and our broadcast and commercial partners for their tremendous support of the rebel VFLW in 2023 and wish all six clubs the best of luck for the finals.”
The 2023 rebel VFLW home and away season featured 12 teams competing across a 14-round fixture.
The top-six teams on the ladder at the conclusion of the home and away season qualified for the 2023 rebel VFLW Finals Series.
The finals format will remain unchanged from 2022, with the finals series to be played across four weeks.
Essendon is the reigning premier after going through the 2022 season undefeated and beating the Southern Saints by 35 points in the 2022 rebel VFLW Grand Final.
2023 rebel VFLW Finals Series Structure
(Please click here for 2023 rebel VFLW Finals Series explainer)
Week One – Qualifying and Elimination Finals
Saturday, July 8 and Sunday, July 9
Qualifying Final: 1st vs. 2nd
First Elimination Final: 3rd vs. 6th
Second Elimination Final: 4th vs. 5th
Week Two – Semi Finals
Saturday, July 15 and/or Sunday, July 16
First Semi Final: Loser of Qualifying Final vs. Lower ranked winner from Elimination Finals
Second Semi Final: Winner of Qualifying Final vs. Higher ranked winner from Elimination Finals
Week Three – Preliminary Final
Sunday, July 23
Preliminary Final: Loser of Second Semi Final vs. Winner of First Semi Final
(ETU Stadium, Time TBC)
Week Four – Grand Final
Sunday, July 30
Grand Final: Winner of Second Semi Final v Winner of Preliminary Final
(ETU Stadium, Time TBC)
The higher ranked team on the rebel VFLW Ladder at the conclusion of the home and away season will play host to matches in Weeks One and Two of the 2023 rebel VFLW Finals Series.
Both the Preliminary Final and Grand Final will be played at Port Melbourne’s ETU Stadium.
To qualify to play in the 2023 rebel VFLW Finals Series:
• VFLW listed players must have played one game during the home and away season
• AFLW Season 7 listed players (including players delisted post AFLW Season 7) must have played three games during the home and away season
• Clubs can select a maximum of 10 AFLW listed players in all matches of the Finals Series