The AFL Finals work through an eight-team knockout system over four weeks, culminating in the Grand Final to determine the premiership team. The top eight teams from the regular season qualify, with the top four given a "double chance" meaning if they lose in the first week, they still have another opportunity to stay in the finals. The teams ranked 5th to 8th face immediate elimination upon losing. Here is the structure: Week One:

• Qualifying Finals (1st vs 4th and 2nd vs 3rd): Winners get a bye to the Preliminary Finals (Week Three); losers play in the Semi Finals (Week Two).
• Elimination Finals (5th vs 8th and 6th vs 7th): Losers are eliminated; winners advance to the Semi Finals (Week Two).

Week Two:

• Semi Finals: Losers of the Qualifying Finals face winners of the Elimination Finals.

Week Three:

• Preliminary Finals: Winners of Qualifying Finals host winners of the Semi Finals.

Week Four:

• Grand Final: Winners of the Preliminary Finals play for the AFL Premiership.

The finals take place at various venues, with the Grand Final held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The 2025 finals dates are:

• Week One: September 4-7
• Semi Finals: September 12-13
• Preliminary Finals: September 19-20
• Grand Final: September 27

This system rewards higher-ranked teams with better chances and venues while providing a fair and exciting knockout format culminating in the Grand Final.