Swans clinch finals debut in last game of the season on dramatic final day: AFLW finals fixture

It took until the final game of the season, but we now know the 2023 AFLW finalists – and Sydney fans can finally breathe.

The Swans’ win in the west over Fremantle ensured their spot in the top eight, on a dramatic final day which began with 13 teams still mathematically alive.

It means both Essendon and Sydney have qualified for the AFLW finals for the first time, in just their second seasons in the competition. The Swans finished winless last year.

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Sydney would have finished 7th instead of 8th if they had not conceded a behind with 1:19 left in the game against the Dockers.

See the 2023 AFLW finals fixture and how the AFLW finals system works below.

AFLW 2023 FINALS FIXTURE – Week 1 (All times AEDT)

First Qualifying Final: (1) Adelaide Crows vs (4) Brisbane Lions

Saturday November 11, 3:05pm at Norwood Oval

First Elimination Final: (5) Gold Coast Suns vs (8) Sydney Swans

Saturday November 11, 7:15pm at Heritage Bank Stadium

Second Elimination Final: (6) Geelong vs (7) Essendon

Sunday November 12, 1:05pm at GMHBA Stadium

Second Qualifying Final: (2) Melbourne vs (3) North Melbourne

Sunday November 12, 3:05pm at Ikon Park

AFLW 2023 FINALS FIXTURE – Week 2 (All times AEDT)

Weekend of November 18-19

First Semi Final: [Loser of Adelaide Crows vs Brisbane Lions] hosts [Winner of Gold Coast Suns vs Sydney Swans]

Date, Time and Venue TBC

Second Semi Final: [Loser of Melbourne vs North Melbourne] hosts [Winner of Geelong vs Essendon]

Date, Time and Venue TBC

AFLW 2023 FINALS FIXTURE – Week 3 (All times AEDT)

Weekend of November 25-26

First Preliminary Final: [Winner of Adelaide Crows vs Brisbane Lions] hosts [Winner of Second Semi Final]

Date, Time and Venue TBC

Second Preliminary Final: [Winner of Melbourne vs North Melbourne] hosts [Winner of First Semi Final]

Date, Time and Venue TBC

AFLW 2023 GRAND FINAL

Weekend of December 2-3

Winner of First Preliminary Final vs Winner of Second Preliminary Final

Date, Time and Venue TBC

HOW THE AFLW FINALS SYSTEM WORKS

The winners of the two qualifying finals advance to host the two preliminary finals, while two teams are eliminated each week until the Grand Final.

The loser of the First Qualifying Final (Adelaide vs Brisbane) hosts the winner of the First Elimination Final (Gold Coast vs Sydney) in the First Semi Final.

The loser of the Second Qualifying Final (Melbourne vs North Melbourne) hosts the winner of the Second Elimination Final (Geelong vs Essendon) in the Second Semi Final.

The winner of the First Qualifying Final (Adelaide vs Brisbane) hosts the winner of the Second Semi Final (Melbourne, North Melbourne, Geelong or Essendon) in the First Preliminary Final.

The winner of the Second Qualifying Final (Melbourne vs North Melbourne) hosts the winner of the First Semi Final (Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast or Sydney) in the Second Preliminary Final.

The winners of the two Preliminary Finals face off in the 2023 AFLW Grand Final.