The SANFL 2014 finals series will start with a double-header under lights at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, August 30.
The qualifying and elimination finals are scheduled for the day prior to the AFL match between the Adelaide Crows and St Kilda.
This also marks a change in the order of SANFL finals, with the elimination final previously being played before the qualifying final since 2004.
“The SANFL has decided to change the finals schedule for a number of reasons – the first being to give the higher-ranked teams more rest to prepare for the next match,” SANFL executive commissioner Leigh Whicker said.
“Having the sudden-death finals played as the second match will also create plenty of tension and excitement as supporters wait anxiously to learn which team is eliminated from the finals race.
“The league is very excited about the prospect of starting this year’s finals campaign amid an electric atmosphere under lights at the new home of South Australian football.”
All five matches in the final round 18 of the SANFL season will be played on Saturday, August 23.
The SANFL finals race is set to come down to that final weekend; Port Magpies, Norwood and Sturt have locked in their place in the major round, but the next two spots are wide open.
South Adelaide are in fourth, well placed with a solid percentage, followed by Woodville-West Torrens who have lost their last three games and could yet surrender their hold on fifth position.
Central District sits next in line in sixth position with eight wins. The Bulldogs will be favourites to knock over Glenelg and North Adelaide in their final two outings.
The Roosters sit in a distant eighth spot and must win both of their remaining two matches to have any hope of a last-gasp finals appearance.
FINALS SERIES – WEEK 1
Saturday, August 30 – Adelaide Oval
4.40pm- Qualifying Final (2nd v 3rd)
7.40pm – Elimination Final (4th v 5th)
ROUND 18 FIXTURE
Saturday, August 23
North Adelaide v Central District (Prospect Oval) – 2.10pm
Eagles v West Adelaide (Maughan Thiem Hyundai Oval) – 2.10pm
Norwood v Adelaide (Coopers Stadium) – 4.40pm
Glenelg v Port Adelaide (Gliderol Stadium) – 2.10pm
South Adelaide v Sturt (Hickinbotham Oval) – 2.10pm
