The league has moved to clarify the AFLW finals rankings and it means a major blow to minor premiers Adelaide.
With the Crows losing their first final to Brisbane on the weekend in a major upset, the league has changed its finals seedings and now North Melbourne is in the box seat to host the AFLW grand final.
Unlike the men’s competition, the grand final venue can change from year to year and it is based on seedings from AFL HQ.
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Following the first week of finals where the Crows, who finished the home and away season on top of the ladder, and Melbourne (who were second) were both beaten – it had been unclear if the seedings would change.
That lead to confusion over which team would earn the right to host the grand final.
Adelaide suffered a shock loss in week one of the AFLW finals. Credit: Getty Images
But the league has informed clubs of the criteria in a statement.
Clubs have been told:
Ahead of Week 1 of finals, teams are ranked according to the home and away season finishing ladder.Following Week 1 of finals, the two winning teams from the qualifying finals are automatically ranked as 1st and 2nd heading into the preliminary finals (position 1 going to the higher of the two teams per the home and away finishing ladder).This is currently 1. North Melbourne, 2. BrisbaneThe losing side from the two qualifying finals are automatically ranked 3rd and 4th (position 3 going to the higher of the two teams per the home and away finishing ladder).This is currently 3. Adelaide Crows, 4. MelbourneThe two winners of the elimination finals are automatically ranked 5th and 6th (position 5 going to the higher of the two teams per the home and away finishing ladder).This is currently 5. Geelong Cats, 6. Sydney Swans
It is good news for North Melbourne, who belted Melbourne in their first final on Sunday after finishing the season in third place.
The Roos and Brisbane are now into preliminary finals while the Crows will play the Swans and the Demons will take on Geelong in cut-throat finals.
If the Roos win their next game, they will host the grand final at Ikon Park in Melbourne.
Brisbane will host the grand final at Brighton Homes Arena if they win their preliminary final and North Melbourne lose.
Adelaide can still host the grand final at Norwood Oval if they win through and the Lions lose their preliminary final.
In the unlikely event that both Geelong and Sydney make the premiership decider then the Cats will host the grand final at GMHBA Stadium.
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