On Friday, September 21, the Sydney Swans will kick off proceedings for preliminary final weekend, hosting the winner of the semi-final between Collingwood and West Coast.
The Swans could be without small forward Ben McGlynn, who suffered a hamstring injury in the final against Adelaide. But they will welcome back defender Heath Grundy from suspension.
The second preliminary final will start at 7.50pm AEST at ANZ Stadium.
On Saturday, September 22, Hawthorn will feature in the first preliminary final against the winner of the semi-final between Adelaide and Fremantle.
The game will be played at the MCG, but the time is yet to be confirmed.
2012 AFL FINALS SERIES: WEEK TWO and THREE??
Friday, September 14?
Second semi-final, Adelaide v Fremantle at AAMI Stadium, 8.10pm ACST? ?
Saturday, September 15 ?
First semi-final, Collingwood v West Coast at the MCG, 7.45pm AEST (series ticket match)
Friday September 21
Second Preliminary Final: Sydney Swans v Winner Collingwood/West Coast at ANZ Stadium, 7.50pm
Saturday September 22
First Preliminary Final: Hawthorn v Winner Adelaide/Fremantle at the MCG, 5.15pm
Since 2005, when the agreement to host a preliminary final at the MCG every season expired, the AFL has tried to ensure that all preliminary finalists are able to return to their home state by the Saturday night before the Grand Final.
PRELIMINARY FINALS FIXTURE IN RECENT YEARS:
2005: Sydney Swans (premiers) played St Kilda at the MCG on Friday night. West Coast (runners-up) played Adelaide at Subiaco on Saturday afternoon.
2006: Sydney Swans (runners-up) played Fremantle at ANZ Stadium on Friday night. West Coast (premiers) played Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
2007: Geelong (premiers) played Collingwood at the MCG on Friday night. Port Adelaide (runners-up) played North Melbourne at AAMI Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
2008: Geelong (runners-up) played Western Bulldogs at the MCG on Friday night. Hawthorn (premiers) played St Kilda on Saturday night at the MCG.
2009: St Kilda (runners-up) played Western Bulldogs at the MCG on Friday night. Geelong (premiers) played Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday night.
2010: Drawn Grand Final. In the lead-up to the drawn Grand Final, Collingwood (premiers) played the Geelong at the MCG on Friday night. St Kilda (runners-up) played Western Bulldogs at the MCG on Saturday night.
2011: Collingwood (runners-up) played Hawthorn at the MCG on Friday night. Geelong (premiers) played West Coast at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
