AFLW Finals Week One broadcast times on Channel 7’s 7mate and 7plus – The 2026 AFLW Finals Series begins this weekend with four matches live and free across 7mate and 7plus, including a top-four double-header at IKON Park on Saturday.
Importantly, Seven’s broadcasts begin five minutes before the official first bounce for each game. The network’s release lists coverage from 1.00pm, 4.00pm, 1.00pm and 3.00pm AEDT, while the AFL fixture confirms match starts at five minutes past those times.
Accordingly, that distinction gives viewers time for the pre-match introduction and removes any confusion between the advertised television coverage and the scheduled bounce. All four games are available through Channel 7’s 7mate and 7plus services.
AFLW Finals Week One fixture and broadcast guide
| Fixture | Venue | Seven coverage | First bounce |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geelong Cats v Melbourne Second Qualifying Final Saturday, 7 November |
IKON Park | 1.00pm AEDT 7mate and 7plus |
1.05pm AEDT |
| North Melbourne v Carlton First Qualifying Final Saturday, 7 November |
IKON Park | 4.00pm AEDT 7mate and 7plus |
4.05pm AEDT |
| Sydney Swans v Western Bulldogs Second Elimination Final Sunday, 8 November |
Henson Park | 1.00pm AEDT 7mate and 7plus |
1.05pm AEDT |
| Gold Coast Suns v Hawthorn First Elimination Final Sunday, 8 November |
People First Stadium | 3.00pm AEDT 7mate and 7plus |
3.05pm AEDT / 2.05pm AEST |
AFLW Finals times around Australia
The broadcast start times above are in Australian Eastern Daylight Time. For viewers in other states, Seven’s coverage begins at:
- Queensland: 12.00pm and 3.00pm on Saturday; 12.00pm and 2.00pm on Sunday.
- South Australia: 12.30pm and 3.30pm on Saturday; 12.30pm and 2.30pm on Sunday.
- Western Australia: 10.00am and 1.00pm on Saturday; 10.00am and 12.00pm on Sunday.
In each case, the official first bounce is five minutes after the local coverage time.
Top four meet at IKON Park
Saturday’s two qualifying finals bring the leading four teams from the home-and-away season together at IKON Park. Geelong finished second and faces third-placed Melbourne before minor premier North Melbourne meets fourth-placed Carlton.
In addition, the AFL has made the two matches a double-header, with one ticket providing entry to both games. North Melbourne enters the finals as the reigning premier and the competition’s benchmark after finishing on top of the ladder.
Meanwhile, Sunday’s elimination finals begin at Henson Park, where sixth-placed Sydney hosts seventh-placed Western Bulldogs. Fifth-placed Gold Coast then faces eighth-placed Hawthorn at People First Stadium, with the Queensland match beginning at 2.05pm local time.
Seven’s AFLW Finals commentary team
Abbey Holmes and Kate McCarthy lead Seven’s AFLW Finals coverage alongside Jack Heverin, Theo Doropoulos, Libby Birch, Nigel Carmody, Nat Edwards, Cameron Ling, Sarah Hosking, Melissa Hickey, Alister Nicholson, Alissa Smith, Jo Wotton and 7NEWS sport reporter Kate Massey.
McCarthy said the depth of the competition and the range of premiership contenders had created a compelling opening weekend.
After a record-breaking AFLW season, it’s incredibly exciting to turn our attention to finals footy. The competition has never been stronger, the talent has never been deeper and the stage is set for what could be the most compelling finals series in AFLW history.
North Melbourne remains the clear benchmark of the competition but the challengers are coming. Can anyone stop the reigning premiers? And will we once again see Jasmine Garner rise to the occasion when it matters most? She’s proven time and time again that the bigger the game, the better she performs.
Geelong have been an attacking powerhouse, recording the highest points-per-game average of any team in AFLW home-and-away history. Led by Georgie Prespakis, who has produced arguably one of the greatest individual seasons we’ve witnessed, the Cats have the firepower to challenge anyone.
Then there’s Melbourne, who have put together a remarkable season despite significant injuries to key players. Could they claim a second premiership in club history? It would be an extraordinary achievement given the adversity they’ve faced, particularly with Tom Wilson in his first season as an AFLW senior coach.
And don’t overlook the fearless young Gold Coast Suns. The youngest and least experienced squad in the competition playing with confidence and freedom. Could they pull off one of the greatest turnarounds in football history, going from wooden spooners in 2025 to premiers just 12 months later?
One thing is certain, we’re in for a finals series unlike anything we’ve seen before. With mouthwatering match-ups from the opening weekend, incredible individual talent and genuine premiership contenders, the stage is set for an unforgettable finish to a record-breaking season, with every moment live and free on Seven and 7plus.
Kate McCarthy, Seven AFLW commentator
Talking W returns after the opening weekend
Following the first week of finals, Kate McCarthy, Kate Massey and Riley Beveridge return for Talking W at 7.30pm AEDT on Monday, 9 November on 7plus.
The program will review the major stories from week one and look ahead to the second weekend of the finals. Furthermore, previous episodes are available on demand through the AFL Women’s Hub on 7plus, alongside match previews and reviews, interviews, player-access features and other bonus coverage.
For more TV Central Channel 7 news, head here. View the official AFLW Finals Week One fixture and ticket information.