2020 AFL finals series

Playoffs of the Australian Football League

2020 premiership season

Date| 1–24 October 2020
Teams| 8
Premiers| Richmond (13th premiership)
Runners-up| Geelong (19th grand final)
Minor premiers| Port Adelaide
(4th minor premiership)
Attendance
Matches played| 9
Total attendance| 206,669 (22,963 per match)
Highest| 32,865 (First Elimination Final, West Coast vs. Collingwood)

<- 2019

2021 ->

The 2020 Australian Football League finals series was the 124th annual edition of the VFL/AFL finals series, the Australian rules football tournament staged to determine the winner of the 2020 AFL premiership season. The series was scheduled to be played over 4 weekends in October, culminating in the 2020 AFL Grand Final on 24 October 2020.

The top eight teams from the 2020 AFL Premiership season qualified for the finals series. AFL finals series have been played under the current format since 2000.

## Qualification[edit]

See also: 2020 AFL season

Pos | Team

* v
* t
* e

| Pld | W | L | D | PF | PA | PP | Pts | Qualification

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1  | Port Adelaide | 17  | 14  | 3  | 0  | 1185  | 869  | 136.4  | 56  | Finals series
2  | Brisbane Lions | 17  | 14  | 3  | 0  | 1184  | 948  | 124.9  | 56
3  | Richmond (P) | 17  | 12  | 4  | 1  | 1135  | 874  | 129.9  | 50
4  | Geelong | 17  | 12  | 5  | 0  | 1233  | 901  | 136.8  | 48
5  | West Coast | 17  | 12  | 5  | 0  | 1095  | 936  | 117.0  | 48
6  | St Kilda | 17  | 10  | 7  | 0  | 1159  | 997  | 116.2  | 40
7  | Western Bulldogs | 17  | 10  | 7  | 0  | 1103  | 1034  | 106.7  | 40
8  | Collingwood | 17  | 9  | 7  | 1  | 965  | 881  | 109.5  | 38
9  | Melbourne | 17  | 9  | 8  | 0  | 1063  | 986  | 107.8  | 36  |
10  | Greater Western Sydney | 17  | 8  | 9  | 0  | 1007  | 1053  | 95.6  | 32
11  | Carlton | 17  | 7  | 10  | 0  | 1017  | 1078  | 94.3  | 28
12  | Fremantle | 17  | 7  | 10  | 0  | 866  | 924  | 93.7  | 28
13  | Essendon | 17  | 6  | 10  | 1  | 938  | 1185  | 79.2  | 26
14  | Gold Coast | 17  | 5  | 11  | 1  | 996  | 1099  | 90.6  | 22
15  | Hawthorn | 17  | 5  | 12  | 0  | 1004  | 1194  | 84.1  | 20
16  | Sydney | 17  | 5  | 12  | 0  | 890  | 1077  | 82.6  | 20
17  | North Melbourne | 17  | 3  | 14  | 0  | 858  | 1205  | 71.2  | 12
18  | Adelaide | 17  | 3  | 14  | 0  | 826  | 1283  | 64.4  | 12

Updated to match(es) played on 21 September 2020. Source: AFL
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers

## Venues[edit]

In the lead-up to the finals series, all of the league's Victorian and New South Wales clubs had been based temporarily in Queensland for more than three months, owing to border controls and quarantine restrictions during the pandemic which made travel into and out of those states impractical. These restrictions continued into the finals series, meaning Victorian and New South Wales venues were unavailable, although the latter was moot as neither of the New South Wales clubs qualified. Additionally, Western Australian border crossings still required a period of quarantine; due to the bye week between Round 18 and the first week of the finals, it was possible to stage a finals match in the first week of the finals after observing the quarantine, but not possible to play in any later weeks;[1] this was again moot, as West Coast finished fifth and could not qualify for a home final after the first week.

As such, finals venues were limited to Adelaide Oval (South Australia), the Gabba and Metricon Stadium (Queensland) and, in the first week only, Optus Stadium (Western Australia). Clubs entitled to home finals but unable to play in their home states were given the opportunity to nominate a preferred venue for their finals games.[1]

The Grand Final was scheduled in advance to be played at the Gabba, irrespective of the teams involved. It was the first time that the Grand Final had been played outside Victoria.[2]

Brisbane |

Brisbane

Adelaide

Perth

Gold Coast

| Adelaide

|
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The Gabba | Adelaide Oval
Capacity: 30,000 (reduced)  | Capacity: 25,000 (reduced)

Gold Coast | Perth
Metricon Stadium | Optus Stadium
Capacity: 15,000 (reduced)  | Capacity: 35,500 (reduced)

## Matches[edit]

See also: AFL final eight system

The system used for the 2020 AFL finals series is a final eight system. The top four teams in the eight receive the "double chance" when they play in week-one qualifying finals, such that if a top-four team loses in the first week it still remains in the finals, playing a semi-final the next week against the winner of an elimination final. The bottom four of the eight play knock-out games – only the winners survive and move on to the next week. Home-state advantage ordinarily goes to the team with the higher ladder position in the first two weeks, to the qualifying final winners in the third week, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some states are unable to host matches.

In the second week, the losers of the qualifying finals play the elimination finals winners in a semi-final, while the winners of the qualifying finals receive byes. In the third week, the winners of the semi-finals play the winners of the qualifying finals. The winners of those matches move on to the Grand Final.[3]

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Qualifying and elimination finals| | | Semi-finals| | | | Preliminary finals| | | Grand Final
| | | |
| 1 Oct, Adelaide Oval
| 1| Port Adelaide| 9.4 (58)|
| | | | |
| 4| Geelong| 5.12 (42)| | | 10 Oct, Gabba| | |
| |
| | Geelong| 15.10 (100)
| | | | |
| 3 Oct, Optus Stadium| | | Collingwood| 5.2 (32)| | | | 16 Oct, Adelaide Oval
| | | | |
| 5| West Coast| 11.9 (75)| | Port Adelaide| 6.4 (40)
| | | | | | | |
| 8| Collingwood| 12.4 (76)| | | | | | Richmond| 6.10 (46)| | | 24 Oct, Gabba
| | | | | | | |
| | | Richmond| 12.9 (81)
| | | | |
| 3 Oct, Gabba| 17 Oct, Gabba| | | Geelong| 7.8 (50)
| | | | |
| 6| St Kilda| 10.7 (67)| Brisbane Lions| 6.6 (42)|
| | | | | | |
| 7| Western Bulldogs| 9.10 (64)| | | 9 Oct, Metricon Stadium| | | | Geelong| 11.16 (82)| |
| | | | | | |
| | Richmond| 12.8 (80)|
| | | | |
| 2 Oct, Gabba| | | St Kilda| 6.13 (49)| | |
| | | | |
| 2| Brisbane Lions| 10.9 (69)|
| |
| 3| Richmond| 8.6 (54)| | | | | |
| | | | | | |

### Week One (Qualifying and Elimination finals)[edit]

#### First Qualifying final (Port Adelaide vs Geelong)[edit]

The first qualifying final saw minor premier Port Adelaide host fourth placed Geelong. This marked the fourth final between the two sides, having previously met in a semi-final in 2013, qualifying final in 2004, and, most notably, the 2007 Grand Final, which was won by Geelong by a record-breaking 119-point margin, which stands as the record to this day.

Scorecard
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| First qualifying final  |  |
Thursday, 1 October (7:10 pm)  | Port Adelaide | def.  | Geelong | Adelaide Oval (crowd: 22,755)  | Report
| 2.1 (13)
4.2 (26)
7.4 (46)
9.4 (58) | Q1

Final  | 1.4 (10)
3.7 (25)
4.8 (32)
5.12 (42) | Umpires: Foot, Chamberlain, Fleer
Television broadcast: Seven Network,
Fox Footy (simulcast)

|  |
|  |
Motlop 3, Ebert 2, Dixon, Rozee, Ladhams, Marshall | Goals | Stanley 2, Tuohy, Selwood, Dangerfield
Rockliff, Powell-Pepper, Ebert, Motlop, Wines, Hartlett, Butters | Best | Parfitt, Selwood, Dangerfield, Guthrie, Duncan, Taylor
Duursma (concussion), Marshall (shoulder)  | Injuries | Nil
Nil  | Reports | Nil

* With an average age of 28 years, 139 days, Geelong's Qualifying Final team is, as of the end of 2021, the oldest team ever fielded in a VFL/AFL game.[4]

#### Second Qualifying Final (Brisbane Lions vs Richmond)[edit]

The Second Qualifying Final saw second-placed Brisbane Lions play third-placed Richmond. This marked the second straight season the two teams met in the Second Qualifying Final, with Richmond defeating the Lions by 47 points in 2019 en route to their second premiership in three years. In addition, they had also played in a preliminary final in 2001, which Brisbane won by 68 points en route to their first of three consecutive premierships.

Scorecard
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| Second qualifying final  |  |
Friday, 2 October (7:50 pm)  | Brisbane Lions | def.  | Richmond | Gabba (crowd: 22,104)  | Report
| 3.1 (19)
7.2 (44)
9.6 (60)
10.9 (69) | Q1

Final  | 4.1 (25)
5.1 (31)
6.3 (39)
8.6 (54) | Umpires: Ryan, Gianfagna, Mollison
Television broadcast: Seven Network,
Fox Footy (simulcast)

|  |
|  |
Cameron 3, Bailey, McCluggage, McInerney, McStay, Neale, Rayner, Rich | Goals | Riewoldt 2, Rioli 2, Baker, Castagna, Cotchin, McIntosh
McCluggage, Rich, Cameron, Lyons, Neale, Zorko | Best | Prestia, Short, Lambert, Cotchin, Martin
Nil  | Injuries | Nil
Nil  | Reports | Nil

* Brisbane defeated Richmond for the first time since Round 7, 2009, ending a 15 match losing streak.

#### Second Elimination Final (St Kilda vs Western Bulldogs)[edit]

The Second Elimination Final saw sixth placed St Kilda host the seventh placed Western Bulldogs. This marked the fifth final between the two teams, having previously clashed in consecutive preliminary finals in 2009 and 2010 in addition to semi finals in 1992 and 1961.

Scorecard
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| Second elimination final  |  |
Saturday, 3 October (4:40 pm)  | St Kilda | def.  | Western Bulldogs | Gabba (crowd: 10,651)  | Report
| 2.2 (14)
5.4 (34)
9.6 (60)
10.7 (67) | Q1

Final  | 3.1 (19)
4.3 (27)
5.6 (36)
9.10 (64) | Umpires: Stevic, Gavine, Williamson
Television broadcast: Seven Network,
Fox Footy (simulcast)

|  |
|  |
King 2, Ryder 2, Membrey 2, Geary 2, Lonie, Butler | Goals | Daniel, Hunter, Liberatore, Crozier, Johannisen, Dunkley, Wallis, Bruce, Naughton
Geary, Hannebery, Ryder, Clark, Howard, Membrey, Carlisle | Best | B. Smith, Bontempelli, Williams, Crozier, Daniel
Ryder (hamstring)  | Injuries | Cordy (ankle)
Nil  | Reports | Nil

#### First Elimination Final (West Coast vs Collingwood)[edit]

The First Elimination final saw fifth-placed West Coast host eighth-placed Collingwood. This marked the ninth final between the two sides, having previously contested a qualifying final and replay in 1990, a qualifying final in 1994, a semi final in 2007, a qualifying final in 2011, a semi-final in 2012 and both a qualifying final and grand final in 2018.

Scorecard
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| First elimination final  |  |
Saturday, 3 October (6:10 pm)  | West Coast | def. by  | Collingwood | Optus Stadium (crowd: 32,865)  | Report
| 1.2 (8)
5.4 (34)
7.6 (48)
11.9 (75) | Q1

Final  | 4.0 (24)
6.1 (37)
9.4 (58)
12.4 (76) | Umpires: Deboy, Meredith, Findlay
Television broadcast: Seven Network,
Fox Footy (simulcast)

|  |
|  |
Kennedy 3, Darling 2, Allen 2, Ainsworth, Cripps, Ryan | Goals | Cox 3, Mihocek 3, De Goey 2, Adams, Noble, Elliott, Hoskin-Elliott
Naitanui, Ryan, Kennedy, Duggan, Gaff, Darling | Best | Adams, Treloar, Mihocek, Mason Cox, Scott Pendlebury, Chris Mayne
Nil  | Injuries | Nil
Nil  | Reports | Nil

### Week Two (Semi-Finals)[edit]

#### Second Semi-Final (Richmond vs St Kilda)[edit]

The Second Semi-Final saw Richmond host St Kilda. This was just the fourth final between the two teams and the first in 47 years, having previously clashed in semi-finals in 1939 and 1973, in addition to a preliminary final in 1971.

Scorecard
|  |  |  |  |

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| Second semi-final  |  |
Friday, 9 October (6:50 pm)  | Richmond | def.  | St Kilda | Metricon Stadium (crowd: 13,778)  | Report
| 5.1 (31)
9.1 (55)
10.4 (64)
12.8 (80) | Q1

Final  | 2.2 (14)
3.6 (24)
5.11 (41)
6.13 (49) | Umpires: Findlay, Ryan, Mollison
Television broadcast: Seven Network,
Fox Footy (simulcast)

|  |
|  |
Bolton 3, Lynch 2, Edwards 2, Castagna, Martin, McIntosh, Prestia, Rioli | Goals | Battle, Butler, Kent, Ross, Savage, Steele
Houli, Martin, Edwards, Bolton, Lynch, Baker | Best | Steele, Clark, Ross, Coffield, Marshall
Nil  | Injuries | Membrey (ankle)
Nil  | Reports | Nil

#### First Semi-Final (Geelong vs Collingwood)[edit]

The First Semi-Final saw Geelong play Collingwood. This marked the twenty-fifth final between the two sides - having met in six grand finals in 1925, 1930, 1937, 1952, 1953 and 2011. In addition they had contested a qualifying final the previous season and in 1981, semi finals in 1901, 1927, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1967, and preliminary finals in 1930, 1938, 1955, 1964, 1980, 2007, 2009 and 2010.

Scorecard
|  |  |  |  |

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| First semi-final  |  |
Saturday, 10 October (6:40 pm)  | Geelong | def.  | Collingwood | Gabba (crowd: 21,396)  | Report
| 4.4 (28)
9.6 (60)
9.8 (62)
15.10 (100) | Q1

Final  | 1.0 (6)
1.0 (6)
1.1 (7)
5.2 (32) | Umpires: Stevic, Chamberlain, Fleer
Television broadcast: Seven Network,
Fox Footy (simulcast)

|  |
|  |
Dangerfield 4, Hawkins 4, Tuohy, Stanley, Miers, Dahlhaus, Guthrie, Menegola, Selwood | Goals | Mihocek 2, Elliott, Grundy, Stephenson
Dangerfield, Duncan, Stewart, Guthrie, Henderson, Menegola | Best | Adams, Crisp, Quaynor, Thomas
Stanley (knee)  | Injuries | Adams (elbow), Cox (ribs)
Nil  | Reports | Nil

* Collingwood were held to their lowest three-quarter time score since round 6, 1900, scoring only 1.1 (7).

### Week Three (Preliminary finals)[edit]

#### First Preliminary Final (Port Adelaide vs Richmond)[edit]

The First Preliminary Final saw Port Adelaide face Richmond. This marked the second finals meeting between the two sides, after the 2014 First Elimination Final, which Port Adelaide won by 57 points.

Scorecard
|  |  |  |  |

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| First preliminary final  |  |
Friday, 16 October (7:20 pm)  | Port Adelaide | def. by  | Richmond | Adelaide Oval (crowd: 24,292)  | Report
| 2.3 (15)
3.3 (21)
4.4 (28)
6.4 (40) | Q1

Final  | 2.1 (13)
3.3 (21)
4.6 (30)
6.10 (46) | Umpires: Stevic, Deboy, Meredith
Television broadcast: Seven Network,
Fox Footy (simulcast)

|  |
|  |
Rozee 2, Duursma, Lycett, Dixon, Ladhams | Goals | Martin 2, Lambert 2, Riewoldt, Lynch
Rozee, Duursma, Ebert, Gray, Jonas, Wines | Best | Martin, Balta, Cotchin, Vlastuin, Graham, McIntosh
Ebert (concussion)  | Injuries | Nil
Ladhams (striking)  | Reports | Nil

#### Second Preliminary Final (Brisbane Lions vs Geelong)[edit]

The Second Preliminary Final was contested between Brisbane and Geelong. This was the second final played between the two sides, having also met in a preliminary final in 2004, which Brisbane won by 9 points.

Scorecard
|  |  |  |  |

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| Second preliminary final  |  |
Saturday, 17 October (6:40 pm)  | Brisbane Lions | def. by  | Geelong | Gabba (crowd: 29,121)  | Report
| 2.0 (12)
4.3 (27)
5.5 (35)
6.6 (42) | Q1

Final  | 2.5 (17)
4.8 (32)
7.11 (53)
11.16 (82) | Umpires: Findlay, Ryan, Fleer
Television broadcast: Seven Network,
Fox Footy (simulcast)

|  |
|  |
Cameron 2, Neale 2, Hipwood, Rayner | Goals | Rohan 3, Hawkins 2, Ablett 2, Parfitt, Henry, Miers, Tuohy
Neale, Rich, Lyons, Lester, Zorko | Best | Duncan, Stewart, Dangerfield, Ablett, Hawkins, Rohan
Gardiner (knee, replaced by Payne), Birchall (hamstring)  | Injuries | Nil
Nil  | Reports | Nil

### Week Four (Grand Final)[edit]

Main article: 2020 AFL Grand Final

This was only the third time in AFL/VFL history where neither of the two top qualifying teams made the grand final. The previous two occasions occurred in 1980 and the previous year, 2019. Richmond were also involved in both of those Grand Finals. This marked the third Grand Final between the two teams, having previously met in the 1931 and 1967 premiership deciders. Including those two Grand Finals, this marked the twelfth final between the two sides, having also previously met in semi-finals in 1921, 1931, 1934, 1969 and 1980; preliminary finals in 1933, 1995 and 2019; and a qualifying final in 2017. The overall head-to-head record in finals prior to this match was 9–2 in Richmond's favour, with one Grand Final victory apiece.

|  |  |  |  |

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| Grand Final  |  |
Saturday, 24 October (6:30 pm)  | Richmond | def.  | Geelong | Gabba (crowd: 29,707)  | Report
| 2.1 (13)
3.2 (20)
7.4 (46)
12.9 (81) | Q1

Final  | 2.2 (14)
5.5 (35)
6.8 (44)
7.8 (50) | Umpires: Stevic, Meredith, Fleer
Norm Smith Medal: Dustin Martin
Television broadcast: Seven Network
National anthem: Tim McCallum

|  |
|  |
Martin 4, Prestia 2, Riewoldt 2, Castagna, Lambert, Lynch, McIntosh | Goals | Menegola 2, Dangerfield, Duncan, Guthrie, Hawkins, Miers
Martin, Short, Edwards, Prestia, Cotchin, Bolton | Best | Duncan, Stewart, Selwood, Menegola, Dahlhaus
Vlastuin (concussion), Houli (calf)  | Injuries | Ablett (shoulder), Simpson (concussion)
Nil  | Reports | Nil

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b Sam Landsberger (18 September 2020). "AFL hubs set to cost league $60 million as price of keeping 2020 season afloat hits home". The Courier Mail. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
2. ^ Waterworth, Ben; Zita, David (2 September 2020). "This is a win for Queensland: AFL reveals how QLD won race for historic Grand Final as key fixture details confirmed". Fox Sports.
3. ^ Hutchinson, Col; Rodgers, Stephen (1 August 2010). "The final 8 system explained". Australian Football League. Telstra Media. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
4. ^ "AFL Tables - All Time Records - Miscellaneous". AFL Tables. Retrieved 26 March 2022.

## External links[edit]

* Sports portal
* Australia portal

* AFL finals series official website

* v
* t
* e

VFL/AFL finals series

VFL|

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AFL|

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* v
* t
* e

2020 AFL season

Events|

* Pre-season matches
* Premiership season
* Finals series
* Grand Final

Awards|

* 22under22 team
* AFL Players Association awards
* All-Australian team
* Brownlow Medal
* Coleman Medal
* Goal of the Year
* Leigh Matthews Trophy
* Mark of the Year
* Norm Smith Medal
* Rising Star

Club overviews|

* Adelaide
* Brisbane Lions
* Carlton
* Collingwood
* Essendon
* Fremantle
* Geelong
* Gold Coast
* Greater Western Sydney
* Hawthorn
* Melbourne
* North Melbourne
* Port Adelaide
* Richmond
* St Kilda
* Sydney
* West Coast
* Western Bulldogs

Player changes|

* Trades
* National draft
* Pre-season draft
* Rookie draft
* Debuts
* Retirements and delistings

See also|

* 2020 AFL Women's season
* State of Origin for Bushfire Relief Match
* Impact of the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic on sports

*[Pos]: Position
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[Pld]: Played
*[W]: Won
*[L]: Lost
*[D]: Drawn
*[PF]: Points for
*[PA]: Points against
*[PP]: Point percentage
*[Pts]: Points