The Sydney Swans will do battle with Essendon in week one of the 2017 AFL Finals Series.

The clubs' will clash in a twilight elimination final on Saturday, September 9, after the Swans and Bombers finished sixth and seventh respectively at the conclusion of the home and away season.

Having already remarkably locked in a finals spot before Round 23, the Swans' fate rested on how Saturday's clash against Carlton played out plus a number of other results over the weekend.

The 81-point win in front of more than 38,000 at the SCG wasn't enough for the Swans to sneak into the top four and earn a second chance, but enough to win a home final in what will a do-or-die final in two weeks time.

The blockbuster clash will be the second time in 2017 the Swans and Bombers have gone head-to-head.

Sydney supporters will remember last time fondly. Trailing by as much as 19 points with less than five minutes remaining in the game, the Swans kicked four unanswered goals to pinch the Round 14 contest by one point after Gary Rohan marked in the dying seconds and then goalled after the final siren.

When it comes to September, the Swans and Bombers have clashed in seven finals over the journey with the latter holding sway with five wins including the last, a qualifying final back in 1999.

2017 AFL Finals Series: Week 1

Thursday September 7

First qualifying final 
Adelaide Crows v Greater Western Sydney at Adelaide Oval, 7.20pm ACST 

Friday September 8

Second qualifying final 
Geelong Cats v Richmond at the MCG, 7.50pm AEST

Saturday September 9

Second elimination final 
Sydney Swans v Essendon at SCG, 4.20pm AEST

First elimination final 
Port Adelaide v West Coast Eagles at Adelaide Oval, 7.20pm ACST