The GVL will slightly alter its finals structure in 2027, extending the current format by a week to reduce scheduling headaches.
While the current system itself will remain the same, the first week of finals won’t consist of a qualifying final.
Both elimination finals will have their own separate air time on Saturday and Sunday, with the qualifying final moved to a standalone clash the following week.
The winners of the elimination finals will rest until week three, where two semi-finals will take place under the same system - the qualifying final winner facing off against the highest ranked elimination final winner for a spot in the grand final, and a do-or-die final between the QF loser and lowest-ranked EF winner - before a week four preliminary final, and a week five grand final.
With the 150th anniversary cricket test match between Australia and England delaying the AFL’s start to the season in 2027, and thus a later grand final date as a by-product, the GVL will naturally be able to accommodate the extended finals series into the 2027 schedule, remaining as the Sunday before the AFL grand final.
The change hopes to alleviate logistical challenges and awkward scheduling for volunteers and clubs, as 11 out of 12 GVL clubs fielded finals sides in respective netball and football competitions this season.
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