Collingwood secured the double chance and a date with minor premier Geelong after booting arch-rival Carlton out of the top eight.

Here are the details for the first weekend of the finals.

FIRST QUALIFYING FINAL

(1) Geelong v (4) Collingwood, MCG, Saturday September 3, 4.35pm AEST

Minor premiers Geelong will host rampaging Collingwood, who have won 12 of their last 13 games, in a monster week-one clash. It is the same match-up as in 2019 when the fourth-placed Magpies upset Geelong to move straight through to the preliminary final. The Cats will be hoping star forward Jeremy Cameron (hamstring) and important midfielder Cameron Guthrie (shoulder) overcome injury concerns.

SECOND QUALIFYING FINAL

(2) Melbourne v (3) Sydney Swans, MCG, Friday September 2, 7.50pm AEST

Melbourne were arguably the biggest winner of the final round of the home-and-away season in smashing the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba to earn a top-two spot. The Demons looked to be back to their premiership-winning best in an ominous sign for rivals. The Swans still had a chance to take second spot but failed to beat St Kilda by enough in their last game. However, John Longmire’s team will take confidence out of beating Melbourne at the MCG in June.

FIRST ELIMINATION FINAL

(5) Fremantle v (8) Western Bulldogs, Optus Stadium, Saturday September 3, 8.10pm AEST

Fremantle looked set to finish in the top-four until Collingwood pulled off yet another narrow victory to demote the Dockers to fifth. After last playing finals in 2015, Fremantle will host the Western Bulldogs, who secured their fourth-consecutive finals appearance with a last-round win over Hawthorn. Luke Beveridge’s team has a history of making deep finals runs from outside of the top-four. Can they do it again?

SECOND ELIMINATION FINAL

(6) Brisbane Lions v (7) Richmond, Gabba, Thursday September 1, 7.20pm AEST

Brisbane and Richmond will meet in a final for the third time in four seasons, with the Tigers to again head to Queensland as favourites. The Lions have stumbled into September after a disastrous defeat to Melbourne, compounded by reports for Cameron Rayner and Noah Answerth. Richmond, which has won three of the last five premierships, are expected to welcome back superstar Dustin Martin from a hamstring injury but will sweat on the fitness of full-forward Tom Lynch (groin).

-AAP