Why?
The whole point of the pre finals bye is so that they can schedule the Thursday final in the first week, and have done so every year since implementing it.
That’s like saying you were surprised the greens didn’t win a majority in the lower house…
I didn’t think that was it, I thought it was so players could freshen up and deal with any niggling injuries, and it would stop clubs resting so many players in the final round like so many NRL teams are (sadly) doing this weekend.
The AFL has also had Thursday night games this year without needing a bye beforehand.
Yes they did, but none of those teams played the Sunday before. The bye allows the AFL to stretch out the final round (see Carlton v GWS) and give maximum flexibility to schedule whatever team they want on the Thursday night 10 days later.
Just follow the money, has nothing to do with giving players a freshen up (even if that’s what the PR machine spins for you)
They should have been playing more Thursday night games during the home and away season then!
They would, but they’re limited by the number of 5 day breaks per team (currently 1)
The 2023 AFL Awards night was held at Centrepiece building at Melbourne Park tonight.
List of winners:
AFL Rising Star: Harry Sheezel (North Melbourne)
AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year: Zak Butters (Port Adelaide)
AFL Coaches Association Best Young Player Award: Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
AFL Players Association Most Courageous Player: Zak Butters
AFL Players Association Best First Year Player: Nick Daicos
AFL Players Association Most Valuable Player - Leigh Matthews Trophy: Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)
AFL Players Association Best Captain: Marcus Bontempelli
Carlton forward Charlie Curnow was presented with his second consecutive Coleman Medal during the ceremony, as the leading goalkicker for the 2023 season.
AFL.com.au’s Sarah Black was also recognised by the AFLPA, taking out the Grant Hattam Award for Excellence in Sports Journalism for her article on Renee Garing’s journey back to AFLW after giving birth.
The 2023 All-Australian Team
The 2023 AFL All-Australian umpires were also named, with Robert Findlay (field), Matthew Konetschka (boundary) and Adam Wojcik (goal) all honoured.
UPDATED 10.10pm AEST
Previously reported as half-time.
Looking forward to seeing Sydney beat Carlton on Friday night 
Brownlow medallist Chris Judd will present the Norm Smith Medal on Grand Final day, while Mark Thompson will present the Jock McHale Medal to the winning coach.
Collingwood opened the 2023 finals by defeating Melbourne by seven points at the MCG tonight, in front of more than 92,000 fans. Demons midfielder Angus Bradshaw was substituted out halfway through the first quarter, after he was bumped in mid air by Pie Brayden Maynard while kicking forward.
collided with Maynard who was merely smothering and did a great job of avoiding the head.
Smellbourne.
So nervous tonight for a match I shouldn’t give a toss about 
Kinda glad Carlton won, Swans probably shouldn’t have been there anyway after that goal umpire debacle in Adelaide.
I’ll forget you said that.
GWS beat St Kilda by 24 points in this afternoon’s elimination final at the MCG. The Giants took control from the middle of the first term and never looked back. Jake Riccardi kicked three goals for the Giants as did Max King for the Saints.
The defeat continues Ross Lyon’s average coaching record in the finals for both St Kilda and Fremantle. His overall record now stands at 9 wins, 11 losses and 1 draw.
Why does the GABBA keep playing the song from Frozen?
Makes you wish you were there tbh
Brisbane defeated Port Adelaide by 48 points in tonight’s qualifying final at The Gabba, and will play in their third preliminary final in four years. The Power briefly took the lead during the second quarter, and rallied again to trail by nine points in the third term, but the Lions were too strong at the end.
Joe Daniher kicked five goals for the victors, while Jaspa Fletcher and Cam Rayner kicked three goals each.
In next weekend’s semi finals, Melbourne will meet Carlton at the MCG, while Port Adelaide will host GWS at Adelaide Oval.
