RICHMOND and Hawthorn will meet in the finals for the first time in history in a blockbuster Thursday night clash in just under a fortnight.
The AFL announced the fixture for the first week of the 2018 Toyota AFL Finals Series, with the reigning premiers and fourth-placed Hawks to do battle in the first qualifying final on Thursday, September 6 at 7.20pm AEST.
Visit the 2018 Finals Hub for all the details on Richmond's qualifying final against Hawthorn
West Coast and Collingwood close the finals series with a mouth-watering qualifying final at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
Week 1 Toyota AFL Finals Series
Thursday, September 6
First qualifying final
Richmond v Hawthorn at the MCG, 7.20pm AEST
Friday, September 7
First elimination final
Melbourne v Geelong at the MCG, 7.50pm AEST (series ticket match)
Saturday, September 8
Second elimination final
Sydney v Greater Western Sydney at the SCG, 4.20pm AEST
Second qualifying final
West Coast v Collingwood at Optus Stadium, 6.10pm AWST
The elimination finals kick off on Friday with a blockbuster between Melbourne and Geelong at the MCG.
Both matches this year have been thrillers with the Cats winning by three points in round one at the MCG and by two points at GMHBA Stadium.
There will be a Sydney derby in the finals for the second time in history when the Swans host the Giants on Saturday evening in the other elimination final.
The last time they played each other in the finals was in 2016 when the fourth-placed Giants upset the minor premiers by 36 points at Stadium Australia.
AFL general manager of clubs and broadcasting Travis Auld said the AFL was seeking to maximise both match-day attendance and television viewership for all finals, as well as balancing equitable breaks where possible for all clubs in the finals.
The AFL chose to open the finals with a Thursday night match, after the success in recent years in this timeslot with both attendance and television viewership.
As the loser of that match would then play the winner of Melbourne v Geelong Cats in week two, it was deemed that the first elimination final should be played as the Friday game, to ensure a similarity of length of breaks for all clubs in the finals.
With the loser of West Coast v Collingwood to host the winner of the Sydney derby, all clubs who play in week two of the finals will have at least a seven-day break from week one into their next match.
