The AFL has today confirmed the fixture for the 2025 Smithy’s VFL Wildcard Finals.
Saturday, August 23
Second Wildcard Final: Richmond (8th) vs GWS Giants (9th)
ETU Stadium, 12:10pm AEST
Broadcaster: 7mate and 7plus
Sunday, August 24
First Wildcard Final: Collingwood (7th) vs Williamstown (10th)
Victoria Park, 2:05pm AEST
Broadcaster: AFL.com.au
First introduced in 2023, the Smithy’s VFL Wildcard Finals feature two matches between the teams who finished seventh to tenth on the Smithy’s VFL ladder at the conclusion of the home and away season.
This year’s Wildcard Finals begin with eighth-placed Richmond taking on ninth-placed GWS Giants at ETU Stadium on Saturday, August 23.
It is third-consecutive year the Tigers will play in a Wildcard Final, while the Giants will make their first Smithy’s VFL finals appearance.
Collingwood will host Williamstown at Victoria Park on Sunday, August 24 in the other Wildcard Final.
The seventh-placed Magpies return to finals action after finishing in 20th position on the ladder last year and will take on a Seagulls outfit which has reached the semi finals in each of the past two seasons.
The highest-placed Wildcard Final winner will continue in the 2025 Smithy’s VFL Finals Series as the seventh-placed team and will take on the Brisbane Lions in the second elimination final next week.
The lowest-placed Wildcard Final winner will progress to the first elimination final as the eighth-placed team and will play against the Casey Demons.
The top six teams on the ladder at the conclusion of the 2025 Smithy’s VFL home and away season will have a bye during the Wildcard Finals.
AFL Head of State League Competitions Jennie Loughnan said: “The Wildcard Finals have brought a new dynamic to the Smithy’s VFL in recent years and have already created some memorable and historic moments. I look forward to seeing what this weekend’s Wildcard Finals produce.
“It has been another thrilling season in the Smithy’s VFL, with every spot in the top ten up for grabs heading into the final round of the home and away season.
“We congratulate all teams who have qualified for the 2025 Smithy’s VFL Finals Series and wish them the best of luck in chase of premiership success.
“On behalf of the AFL, I would like to thank all clubs, players, umpires, venues and our broadcast and commercial partners for their outstanding support of the Smithy’s VFL in 2025.”
2025 SMITHY’S VFL FINALS SERIES STRUCTURE
Wildcard Finals
Saturday, August 23 and Sunday, August 24
First Wildcard Final: Collingwood (7th) vs Williamstown (10th)
Second Wildcard Final: Richmond (8th) vs GWS Giants (9th)
Qualifying and Elimination Finals
Weekend of August 29-30
First Qualifying Final: Footscray Bulldogs (1st) vs Frankston (4th)
Second Qualifying Final: Box Hill Hawks (2nd) vs Southport Sharks (3rd)
First Elimination Final: Casey Demons (5th) vs Lower-placed Wildcard Final winner
Second Elimination Final: Brisbane Lions (6th) vs Higher-placed Wildcard Final winner
Semi Finals
Weekend of September 5-7
First Semi Final: Loser of First Qualifying Final vs Winner of First Elimination Final
Second Semi Final: Loser of Second Qualifying Final vs Winner of Second Elimination Final
Preliminary Finals
Weekend of September 12-14
First Preliminary Final: Winner of First Qualifying Final vs Winner of Second Semi Final
Second Preliminary Final: Winner of Second Qualifying Final vs Winner of First Semi Final
Grand Final
Sunday, September 21
Grand Final: Winner of First Preliminary Final vs Winner of Second Preliminary Final
Please click here to view the 2025 Smithy’s VFL Finals Series graphic.
TICKETING
Admission prices for the 2025 Smithy’s VFL Finals Series are as follows:
For matches played in Victoria during Wildcard Finals through to the Preliminary Finals, admission prices will be adults $15, concession/pensioners $10 and children under 15 free.
Entry will be free for finals played in Queensland.
For the 2025 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final, admission prices will be adults $20, concession/pensioners $15 and children under 15 free.
Tickets can be purchased from midday Tuesday each week of the finals series via www.intix.com.au/org/vfl.
FINALS VENUES
For all matches from the Wildcard Finals through to the Preliminary Finals, the higher-placed team on the Smithy’s VFL ladder at the conclusion of the home and away season will have the option to host, subject to meeting venue infrastructure requirements.
The 2025 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final will be played at IKON Park on Sunday, September 21 unless two Queensland-based teams are competing.
In the event of two Queensland-based teams reaching the 2025 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final, the match will be played on Sunday, September 21 in Queensland.
BROADCAST
The AFL is pleased to confirm that one match each week of the 2025 Smithy’s VFL Finals Series will be broadcast live and free on the Seven Network via 7mate and 7plus, including the 2025 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final.
All matches, including the 2025 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final, will be streamed live and free on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App.
