The AFL has today confirmed the fixture for the 2025 Smithy’s VFL preliminary finals.
Saturday, September 13
Second Preliminary Final: Southport Sharks (3rd) vs Frankston (4th)
Fankhauser Reserve, 11:25am AEST
Broadcaster: AFL.com.au + AFL Live Official App
First Preliminary Final: Footscray Bulldogs (1st) vs Box Hill Hawks (2nd)
Mission Whitten Oval, 2:10pm AEST
Broadcaster: 7mate and 7plus
Both preliminary finals will be played on Saturday, September 13.
The Southport Sharks will host Frankston in the second preliminary final at Fankhauser Reserve from 11:25am, with the winner to book the first place in the 2025 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final.
It is the Sharks’ third preliminary final appearance in just five seasons in the competition, having defeated the Gold Coast Suns in 2022 and the Footscray Bulldogs in 2024 before being beaten in both premiership deciders.
It has been 28 years since Frankston last played in a preliminary final, with the Dolphins looking to secure their first Grand Final berth since 1997.
The second preliminary final will be broadcast live and free on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App.
The Footscray Bulldogs will host the Box Hill Hawks at Mission Whitten Oval from 2:10pm in the first preliminary final.
Footscray was this year’s minor premier and enters the preliminary final on a 12-match winning streak. The Bulldogs will be looking for atonement after losing at home to Southport by 10 points in last year’s preliminary final.
Box Hill reached the preliminary final with a thrilling three-point win over the Brisbane Lions in the second semi final, courtesy of a goal on the final siren to Bodie Ryan.
The Hawks last played in a preliminary final in 2023, where they were beaten by eventual premiers the Gold Coast Suns by 15 points.
Footscray will be hunting its first Grand Final appearance since winning the 2016 premiership, while Box Hill won the 2018 flag when it last reached a Grand Final.
The first preliminary final will be broadcast live and free on 7mate in Victoria and 7plus nationally.
Preliminary finals scheduling ensures clubs playing in the Smithy’s VFL Grand Final have the same number of days break and allows for Frankston to return home on Saturday evening.
The 2025 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final will be played at IKON Park on Sunday, September 21 from 2:15pm.
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
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.
FINALS SERIES STRUCTURE
Wildcard Finals
Saturday, August 23 and Sunday, August 24
First Wildcard Final: Collingwood 9.15 (69) def by Williamstown 11.15 (81)
Second Wildcard Final: Richmond 17.14 (116) def GWS Giants 14.14 (98)
Qualifying and Elimination Finals
Saturday, August 30
First Qualifying Final: Footscray Bulldogs 15.15 (105) def Frankston 3.7 (25)
Second Qualifying Final: Box Hill Hawks 13.16 (94) def by Southport Sharks 18.7 (115)
First Elimination Final: Casey Demons 20.12 (132) def Williamstown 8.8 (56)
Second Elimination Final: Brisbane Lions 12.15 (87) def Richmond 10.7 (67)
Semi Finals
Saturday, September 6
First Semi Final: Frankston 16.5 (101) def Casey Demons 13.12 (90)
Second Semi Final: Box Hill Hawks 18.7 (115) def Brisbane Lions 16.16 (112)
Preliminary Finals
Saturday, September 13
First Preliminary Final: Footscray Bulldogs (1st) vs Box Hill Hawks (2nd)
Second Preliminary Final: Southport Sharks (3rd) vs Frankston (4th)
Grand Final
Sunday, September 21
Grand Final: Winner of First Preliminary Final vs Winner of Second Preliminary Final
IKON Park, 2:15pm
Please click here to view the 2025 Smithy’s VFL Finals Series graphic.