# 2008 AFL finals series

The Australian Football League's 2008 Finals Series determined the top eight final positions of the 2008 AFL season. It began on the weekend of 5 September 2008 and ended with the 112th AFL Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 27 September 2008. The Hawthorn Football Club were crowned the 2008 AFL Premiers, beating the Geelong Football Club by 26 points in front of a crowd of 100,012.
The eight teams qualified for the finals series by finishing in the top eight positions of the premiership ladder at the completion of the home and away series.

## Ladder

2008 AFL ladder :
| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | L | D | PF | PA | PP | Pts | |
| 1 | Geelong | 22 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 2672 | 1651 | 161.8 | 84 | Finals series |
| 2 | Hawthorn (P) | 22 | 17 | 5 | 0 | 2434 | 1846 | 131.9 | 68 | Finals series |
| 3 | Western Bulldogs | 22 | 15 | 6 | 1 | 2506 | 2112 | 118.7 | 62 | Finals series |
| 4 | St Kilda | 22 | 13 | 9 | 0 | 2126 | 1923 | 110.6 | 52 | Finals series |
| 5 | Adelaide | 22 | 13 | 9 | 0 | 2017 | 1838 | 109.7 | 52 | Finals series |
| 6 | Sydney | 22 | 12 | 9 | 1 | 2095 | 1863 | 112.5 | 50 | Finals series |
| 7 | North Melbourne | 22 | 12 | 9 | 1 | 2121 | 2187 | 97.0 | 50 | Finals series |
| 8 | Collingwood | 22 | 12 | 10 | 0 | 2267 | 2038 | 111.2 | 48 | Finals series |
| 9 | Richmond | 22 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 2228 | 2288 | 97.4 | 46 | |
| 10 | Brisbane | 22 | 10 | 12 | 0 | 2156 | 2200 | 98.0 | 40 | |
| 11 | Carlton | 22 | 10 | 12 | 0 | 2217 | 2354 | 94.2 | 40 | |
| 12 | Essendon | 22 | 8 | 14 | 0 | 2130 | 2608 | 81.7 | 32 | |
| 13 | Port Adelaide | 22 | 7 | 15 | 0 | 2118 | 2208 | 95.9 | 28 | |
| 14 | Fremantle | 22 | 6 | 16 | 0 | 1988 | 2121 | 93.7 | 24 | |
| 15 | West Coast | 22 | 4 | 18 | 0 | 1670 | 2535 | 65.9 | 16 | |
| 16 | Melbourne | 22 | 3 | 19 | 0 | 1629 | 2602 | 62.6 | 12 | |
With twenty-one wins and one loss Geelong continued from its crushing 2007 season to dominate the home and away rounds of 2008.

## Summary of results

| Qualifying and elimination finals | Qualifying and elimination finals | Qualifying and elimination finals | Semi-finals | Semi-finals | Semi-finals | Preliminary finals | Preliminary finals | Preliminary finals | Grand final | Grand final | Grand final |
| Sep 7, MCG | Sep 7, MCG | Sep 7, MCG | | | | | | | | | |
| 1 | Geelong | 17.17 (119) | | | | | | | | | |
| 4 | St Kilda | 8.13 (61) | Sep 13, MCG | Sep 13, MCG | Sep 13, MCG | | | | |
| | | | St Kilda | St Kilda | 17.4 (106) | | | | |
| Sep 6, AAMI Stadium | Sep 6, AAMI Stadium | Sep 6, AAMI Stadium | Collingwood | Collingwood | 9.18 (72) | Sep 19, MCG | Sep 19, MCG | Sep 19, MCG | | | |
| 5 | Adelaide | 14.10 (94) | | | | Geelong | Geelong | 12.11 (83) | |
| 8 | Collingwood | 19.11 (125) | | | | Western Bulldogs | Western Bulldogs | 7.12 (54) | Sep 27, MCG | Sep 27, MCG | Sep 27, MCG |
| | | | | | | | | | Geelong | Geelong | 11.23 (89) |
| Sep 6, ANZ Stadium | Sep 6, ANZ Stadium | Sep 6, ANZ Stadium | | | | Sep 20, MCG | Sep 20, MCG | Sep 20, MCG | Hawthorn | Hawthorn | 18.7 (115) |
| 6 | Sydney | 17.8 (110) | | | | Hawthorn | Hawthorn | 18.10 (118) | | |
| 7 | North Melbourne | 11.9 (75) | Sep 12, MCG | Sep 12, MCG | Sep 12, MCG | St Kilda | St Kilda | 9.10 (64) | | |
| | | | Western Bulldogs | Western Bulldogs | 16.10 (106) | | | | | | |
| Sep 5, MCG | Sep 5, MCG | Sep 5, MCG | Sydney | Sydney | 9.15 (69) | | | | | |
| 2 | Hawthorn | 18.19 (127) | | | | | | | | | |
| 3 | Western Bulldogs | 11.10 (76) | | | | | | | | |

## The finals system

The system is a final eight system. This system is different from the McIntyre final eight system, which was previously used by the AFL.
The top four teams in the eight receive what is popularly known as the "double chance" when they play in week-one qualifying finals; this means that if a top-four team loses in the first week, it still has a chance to redeem itself by getting a chance to play in a semi-final the next week against the winner of an elimination final. The bottom four of the eight are forced to play what are called elimination finals, in which only the winners survive and move on to week two to play the losers of the qualifying finals.
In the second week, the winners of the qualifying finals receive a bye to the third week, while the losers of those qualifying finals must play the winners of the elimination finals for a chance to play the qualifying finals winners. Home-city advantage goes to the team with the higher seed in the first two weeks, and the qualifying final winners in the third week, with games in Victoria played at the MCG, regardless of the team's usual home ground.
In the third week, the winners of the semi-finals from week two play the winners of the qualifying finals in the first week, with the latter receiving home-ground advantage. The winners of those matches move on to the Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, where the new premier will be crowned.

## Week One
### First Qualifying Final (Geelong vs. St Kilda)

Geelong vs St Kilda :
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Final |
| Geelong | 3.7 (25) | 7.10 (52) | 16.15 (111) | 17.17 (119) |
| St Kilda | 1.1 (7) | 3.2 (20) | 5.5 (35) | 8.13 (61) |
| Venue: | Venue: | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne |
| Date and time: | Date and time: | 7 September 2008 – 2:40PM AEST | 7 September 2008 – 2:40PM AEST | 7 September 2008 – 2:40PM AEST |
| Attendance: | Attendance: | 71,653 | 71,653 | 71,653 |
| Umpires: | Umpires: | Hayden Kennedy, Simon Meredith, Shane McInerney | Hayden Kennedy, Simon Meredith, Shane McInerney | Hayden Kennedy, Simon Meredith, Shane McInerney |
| Goal scorers: | Geelong | 3: Mooney, Ottens 2: Bartel, Lonergan 1: G.Ablett, Chapman, S.Johnson, Ling, Rooke, Stokes, Varcoe | 3: Mooney, Ottens 2: Bartel, Lonergan 1: G.Ablett, Chapman, S.Johnson, Ling, Rooke, Stokes, Varcoe | 3: Mooney, Ottens 2: Bartel, Lonergan 1: G.Ablett, Chapman, S.Johnson, Ling, Rooke, Stokes, Varcoe |
| Goal scorers: | St Kilda | 2: Milne 1: X. Clarke, R. Clarke, Goddard, Montagna, Riewoldt, Schneider | 2: Milne 1: X. Clarke, R. Clarke, Goddard, Montagna, Riewoldt, Schneider | 2: Milne 1: X. Clarke, R. Clarke, Goddard, Montagna, Riewoldt, Schneider |
| Best: | Geelong | Bartel, Ottens, G. Ablett, Mooney, Corey, Milburn, Taylor, Ling | Bartel, Ottens, G. Ablett, Mooney, Corey, Milburn, Taylor, Ling | Bartel, Ottens, G. Ablett, Mooney, Corey, Milburn, Taylor, Ling |
| Best: | St Kilda | Goddard, S. Fisher, Jones, Hayes | Goddard, S. Fisher, Jones, Hayes | Goddard, S. Fisher, Jones, Hayes |
| Reports: | Reports: | St Kilda: Hayes for striking Selwood (Geelong) in the third quarter Geelong: Nil | St Kilda: Hayes for striking Selwood (Geelong) in the third quarter Geelong: Nil | St Kilda: Hayes for striking Selwood (Geelong) in the third quarter Geelong: Nil |
| Injuries: | Injuries: | Geelong: Prismall (knee), Chapman (hamstring), S. Johnson (corked hamstring), Milburn (thumb) St Kilda: Blake (wrist) | Geelong: Prismall (knee), Chapman (hamstring), S. Johnson (corked hamstring), Milburn (thumb) St Kilda: Blake (wrist) | Geelong: Prismall (knee), Chapman (hamstring), S. Johnson (corked hamstring), Milburn (thumb) St Kilda: Blake (wrist) |
| Australian television broadcaster: | Australian television broadcaster: | Seven Network | Seven Network | Seven Network |
St Kilda finished in 4th spot on the AFL Ladder after thrashing Essendon by 108 points in the final regular season match. They entered this match with the double chance and were beaten by 58 points. Onballer Lenny Hayes was booked for striking Geelong's Joel Selwood in the third quarter, a report that was later dropped. Geelong earned a bye and home preliminary final with its win, whilst St Kilda was forced to face Collingwood, a team that they had twice lost to in the regular season, in a semi-final.

### Second Qualifying Final (Hawthorn vs. Western Bulldogs)

Hawthorn vs Western Bulldogs :
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Final |
| Hawthorn | 4.5 (29) | 10.12 (72) | 15.17 (107) | 18.19 (127) |
| Western Bulldogs | 2.1 (13) | 4.4 (28) | 7.7 (49) | 11.10 (76) |
| Venue: | Venue: | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne |
| Date and time: | Date and time: | 5 September 2008 – 7:50PM AEST | 5 September 2008 – 7:50PM AEST | 5 September 2008 – 7:50PM AEST |
| Attendance: | Attendance: | 76,703 | 76,703 | 76,703 |
| Umpires: | Umpires: | Chris Donlon, Brett Rosebury, Shaun Ryan | Chris Donlon, Brett Rosebury, Shaun Ryan | Chris Donlon, Brett Rosebury, Shaun Ryan |
| Goal scorers: | Hawthorn | 8: Franklin 4: Osborne 3: Roughead 1: Brown, Crawford, Lewis | 8: Franklin 4: Osborne 3: Roughead 1: Brown, Crawford, Lewis | 8: Franklin 4: Osborne 3: Roughead 1: Brown, Crawford, Lewis |
| Goal scorers: | Western Bulldogs | 3: Akermanis 2: Giansiracusa, Cooney, Hill 1: Higgins, Johnson | 3: Akermanis 2: Giansiracusa, Cooney, Hill 1: Higgins, Johnson | 3: Akermanis 2: Giansiracusa, Cooney, Hill 1: Higgins, Johnson |
| Best: | Hawthorn | Franklin, Hodge, Mitchell, Osborne, Sewell, Lewis, Roughead | Franklin, Hodge, Mitchell, Osborne, Sewell, Lewis, Roughead | Franklin, Hodge, Mitchell, Osborne, Sewell, Lewis, Roughead |
| Best: | Western Bulldogs | Griffen, Cross, Akermanis, Boyd, Hill, Callan | Griffen, Cross, Akermanis, Boyd, Hill, Callan | Griffen, Cross, Akermanis, Boyd, Hill, Callan |
| Reports: | Reports: | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Injuries: | Injuries: | Hawthorn: Croad (ankle), Birchall (corked thigh), Ladson (AC joint), Stokes (corked thigh), Gilham (virus) replaced in the selected side by Stokes Western Bulldogs: Gilbee (calf), Murphy (corked knee) | Hawthorn: Croad (ankle), Birchall (corked thigh), Ladson (AC joint), Stokes (corked thigh), Gilham (virus) replaced in the selected side by Stokes Western Bulldogs: Gilbee (calf), Murphy (corked knee) | Hawthorn: Croad (ankle), Birchall (corked thigh), Ladson (AC joint), Stokes (corked thigh), Gilham (virus) replaced in the selected side by Stokes Western Bulldogs: Gilbee (calf), Murphy (corked knee) |
| Australian television broadcaster: | Australian television broadcaster: | Seven Network | Seven Network | Seven Network |
For much of the second half of the season, Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs looked certain to finish second and third (in some order), setting up this particular qualifying final; Hawthorn would ultimately be the home team after the Bulldogs' late-season form dropped. Hawthorn won the match comfortably, with Lance Franklin kicking eight goals (the most ever in a final by a Hawthorn player) to earn a week's break, whilst the Western Bulldogs were forced to host the Sydney Swans, whom they had beaten twice during the year, in a semi-final.

### First Elimination Final (Adelaide vs. Collingwood)

Adelaide vs Collingwood :
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Final |
| Adelaide | 2.2 (14) | 9.6 (60) | 11.7 (73) | 14.10 (94) |
| Collingwood | 4.3 (27) | 7.6 (48) | 14.9 (93) | 19.11 (125) |
| Venue: | Venue: | AAMI Stadium, Adelaide | AAMI Stadium, Adelaide | AAMI Stadium, Adelaide |
| Date and time: | Date and time: | 6 September 2008 – 2:30PM AEST | 6 September 2008 – 2:30PM AEST | 6 September 2008 – 2:30PM AEST |
| Attendance: | Attendance: | 37,685 | 37,685 | 37,685 |
| Umpires: | Umpires: | Mathew James, Scott McLaren, Matt Stevic | Mathew James, Scott McLaren, Matt Stevic | Mathew James, Scott McLaren, Matt Stevic |
| Goal scorers: | Adelaide | 6: Stevens 2: McLeod 1: Mackay, Edwards, Maric, Johncock, Bassett, Gill | 6: Stevens 2: McLeod 1: Mackay, Edwards, Maric, Johncock, Bassett, Gill | 6: Stevens 2: McLeod 1: Mackay, Edwards, Maric, Johncock, Bassett, Gill |
| Goal scorers: | Collingwood | 3: Dawes, Anthony 2: Swan, Maxwell 1: Cox, Davis, Fraser, Cloke, R. Shaw, Lockyer, Thomas, Clarke, Medhurst | 3: Dawes, Anthony 2: Swan, Maxwell 1: Cox, Davis, Fraser, Cloke, R. Shaw, Lockyer, Thomas, Clarke, Medhurst | 3: Dawes, Anthony 2: Swan, Maxwell 1: Cox, Davis, Fraser, Cloke, R. Shaw, Lockyer, Thomas, Clarke, Medhurst |
| Best: | Adelaide | Stevens, Bassett, McLeod, Bock, Edwards, Moran | Stevens, Bassett, McLeod, Bock, Edwards, Moran | Stevens, Bassett, McLeod, Bock, Edwards, Moran |
| Best: | Collingwood | Swan, O'Bree, Maxwell, Pendlebury, Anthony, Medhurst | Swan, O'Bree, Maxwell, Pendlebury, Anthony, Medhurst | Swan, O'Bree, Maxwell, Pendlebury, Anthony, Medhurst |
| Reports: | Reports: | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Injuries: | Injuries: | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Australian television broadcaster: | Australian television broadcaster: | Network Ten | Network Ten | Network Ten |
Two teams who were early-season top-four candidates were playing for survival in this elimination final played at AAMI Stadium on a fine 26-degree C day. Collingwood started slight favourites and led early in the match but Adelaide got its game going, with a season's best second quarter, to lead at half-time before quickly falling behind for good during a second-half collapse. For the second year in succession, Adelaide was eliminated the first week of the finals, whilst Collingwood went on to face St Kilda in a semi-final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

### Second Elimination Final (Sydney vs. North Melbourne)

Sydney vs North Melbourne :
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Final |
| Sydney | 1.5 (11) | 4.6 (30) | 12.7 (79) | 17.8 (110) |
| North Melbourne | 4.1 (25) | 7.4 (46) | 10.5 (65) | 11.9 (75) |
| Venue: | Venue: | ANZ Stadium, Sydney | ANZ Stadium, Sydney | ANZ Stadium, Sydney |
| Date and time: | Date and time: | 6 September 2008 – 7:30PM AEST | 6 September 2008 – 7:30PM AEST | 6 September 2008 – 7:30PM AEST |
| Attendance: | Attendance: | 19,127 | 19,127 | 19,127 |
| Umpires: | Umpires: | Ray Chamberlain, Stephen McBurney, Michael Vozzo | Ray Chamberlain, Stephen McBurney, Michael Vozzo | Ray Chamberlain, Stephen McBurney, Michael Vozzo |
| Goal scorers: | Sydney | 3: Goodes, Hall, Jack 2: Moore, O'Keefe 1: Malceski, McVeigh, Richards, Veszpremi | 3: Goodes, Hall, Jack 2: Moore, O'Keefe 1: Malceski, McVeigh, Richards, Veszpremi | 3: Goodes, Hall, Jack 2: Moore, O'Keefe 1: Malceski, McVeigh, Richards, Veszpremi |
| Goal scorers: | North Melbourne | 2: Harvey, Grant, Hale, Lower 1: Petrie, Sinclair, Thompson | 2: Harvey, Grant, Hale, Lower 1: Petrie, Sinclair, Thompson | 2: Harvey, Grant, Hale, Lower 1: Petrie, Sinclair, Thompson |
| Best: | Sydney | Kirk, Richards, Goodes, McVeigh, O'Keefe, Hall, Jack | Kirk, Richards, Goodes, McVeigh, O'Keefe, Hall, Jack | Kirk, Richards, Goodes, McVeigh, O'Keefe, Hall, Jack |
| Best: | North Melbourne | Harvey, Petrie, Pratt, Harris, Lower, Hale | Harvey, Petrie, Pratt, Harris, Lower, Hale | Harvey, Petrie, Pratt, Harris, Lower, Hale |
| Reports: | Reports: | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Injuries: | Injuries: | Sydney: Bird replaced in selected side by Veszpremi North Melbourne: Hansen replaced in selected side by Urquhart | Sydney: Bird replaced in selected side by Veszpremi North Melbourne: Hansen replaced in selected side by Urquhart | Sydney: Bird replaced in selected side by Veszpremi North Melbourne: Hansen replaced in selected side by Urquhart |
| Australian television broadcaster: | Australian television broadcaster: | Network Ten | Network Ten | Network Ten |
These two teams were clashing in a final for the first time since the 1996 AFL Grand Final, which was won by North Melbourne by 43 points. Sydney entered this match having won only three matches since Round 13, but, after a slow start and an ordinary first half, they got on with the job and ended the Kangaroos' season. It was also the last game for retiring Kangaroo and ex-Swan Shannon Grant. The Swans won the right to face the Western Bulldogs the next week at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where they had not won a final since the 2005 AFL Grand Final.
Most controversially, the crowd for this game was a very low 19,127. The AFL attributed the poor turnout to several factors, including high ticket prices, the bad weather (it was raining heavily, and had been doing so for several days) and North Melbourne's lack of popularity in Sydney (where they had once played home games). However, it also attracted heavy commentary in the media and public against the viability of the AFL's decision to base its 18th franchise in Western Sydney.

## Week Two
### First semi-final (St Kilda vs. Collingwood)

St Kilda vs Collingwood :
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Final |
| St Kilda | 4.1 (25) | 8.1 (49) | 14.2 (86) | 17.4 (106) |
| Collingwood | 3.4 (22) | 4.11 (35) | 5.16 (46) | 9.18 (72) |
| Venue: | Venue: | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne |
| Date and time: | Date and time: | 13 September 2008 – 7:30PM AEST | 13 September 2008 – 7:30PM AEST | 13 September 2008 – 7:30PM AEST |
| Attendance: | Attendance: | 76,707 | 76,707 | 76,707 |
| Umpires: | Umpires: | Hayden Kennedy, Brett Rosebury, Scott McLaren | Hayden Kennedy, Brett Rosebury, Scott McLaren | Hayden Kennedy, Brett Rosebury, Scott McLaren |
| Goal scorers: | St Kilda | Riewoldt 5, Milne 3, Koschitzke 3, Gram 2, Dal Santo, McQualter, Schneider, Gwilt | Riewoldt 5, Milne 3, Koschitzke 3, Gram 2, Dal Santo, McQualter, Schneider, Gwilt | Riewoldt 5, Milne 3, Koschitzke 3, Gram 2, Dal Santo, McQualter, Schneider, Gwilt |
| Goal scorers: | Collingwood | Clarke, Brown, Medhurst, McCarthy, Cloke, Goldsack, Anthony, Swan, Lockyer | Clarke, Brown, Medhurst, McCarthy, Cloke, Goldsack, Anthony, Swan, Lockyer | Clarke, Brown, Medhurst, McCarthy, Cloke, Goldsack, Anthony, Swan, Lockyer |
| Best: | St Kilda | Riewoldt, Dal Santo, Gram, R Clarke, Fisher, Blake, Koschitzke | Riewoldt, Dal Santo, Gram, R Clarke, Fisher, Blake, Koschitzke | Riewoldt, Dal Santo, Gram, R Clarke, Fisher, Blake, Koschitzke |
| Best: | Collingwood | Pendlebury, Swan, R Shaw, O'Brien, O'Bree | Pendlebury, Swan, R Shaw, O'Brien, O'Bree | Pendlebury, Swan, R Shaw, O'Brien, O'Bree |
| Reports: | Reports: | St Kilda: Koschitzke reported for rough conduct on Wakelin. Collingwood: nil. | St Kilda: Koschitzke reported for rough conduct on Wakelin. Collingwood: nil. | St Kilda: Koschitzke reported for rough conduct on Wakelin. Collingwood: nil. |
| Injuries: | Injuries: | St Kilda: Ball (hamstring) replaced in selected side by Allen, Allen (hip). Collingwood: Burns (calf) replaced in selected side by R Shaw, Prestigiacomo replaced in selected side by Wakelin. | St Kilda: Ball (hamstring) replaced in selected side by Allen, Allen (hip). Collingwood: Burns (calf) replaced in selected side by R Shaw, Prestigiacomo replaced in selected side by Wakelin. | St Kilda: Ball (hamstring) replaced in selected side by Allen, Allen (hip). Collingwood: Burns (calf) replaced in selected side by R Shaw, Prestigiacomo replaced in selected side by Wakelin. |
| Australian television broadcaster: | Australian television broadcaster: | Network Ten | Network Ten | Network Ten |
Collingwood came into the game as favourites to defeat St Kilda, who had been on the end of a heavy defeat at the hands of Geelong the week prior, and whom they had beaten twice during the year. St Kilda led by just three points at quarter time but kicked ten goals to Collingwood's two in the middle two quarters to take a 40-point lead going into the final quarter. Justin Koschitzke was reported for a dump tackle involving Shane Wakelin, but the charge was later dismissed. St Kilda progressed to play Hawthorn in the preliminary final, hoping to atone for two previous preliminary final losses (2004 and 2005) to make the grand final.

### Second semi-final (Western Bulldogs vs. Sydney)

Western Bulldogs vs Sydney :
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Final |
| Western Bulldogs | 2.3 (15) | 6.5 (41) | 11.9 (75) | 16.10 (106) |
| Sydney | 2.4 (16) | 5.7 (37) | 5.13 (43) | 9.15 (69) |
| Venue: | Venue: | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne |
| Date and time: | Date and time: | 12 September 2008 – 7:50PM AEST | 12 September 2008 – 7:50PM AEST | 12 September 2008 – 7:50PM AEST |
| Attendance: | Attendance: | 42,731 | 42,731 | 42,731 |
| Umpires: | Umpires: | Michael Vozzo, Stephen McBurney, Shaun Ryan | Michael Vozzo, Stephen McBurney, Shaun Ryan | Michael Vozzo, Stephen McBurney, Shaun Ryan |
| Goal scorers: | Western Bulldogs | Murphy 3, Welsh 2, Hill 2, Eagleton 2, Johnson, Akermanis, Minson, Griffen, Lake, Hahn, Higgins | Murphy 3, Welsh 2, Hill 2, Eagleton 2, Johnson, Akermanis, Minson, Griffen, Lake, Hahn, Higgins | Murphy 3, Welsh 2, Hill 2, Eagleton 2, Johnson, Akermanis, Minson, Griffen, Lake, Hahn, Higgins |
| Goal scorers: | Sydney | Hall 4, Bevan, Crouch, Goodes, Roberts-Thomson, Jolly | Hall 4, Bevan, Crouch, Goodes, Roberts-Thomson, Jolly | Hall 4, Bevan, Crouch, Goodes, Roberts-Thomson, Jolly |
| Best: | Western Bulldogs | Boyd, Morris, Griffen, Murphy, Gilbee, Minson | Boyd, Morris, Griffen, Murphy, Gilbee, Minson | Boyd, Morris, Griffen, Murphy, Gilbee, Minson |
| Best: | Sydney | Hall, C Bolton, Kirk, Kennelly, McVeigh | Hall, C Bolton, Kirk, Kennelly, McVeigh | Hall, C Bolton, Kirk, Kennelly, McVeigh |
| Reports: | Reports: | Western Bulldogs: Nil. Sydney Swans: Leo Barry for striking Shaun Higgins in the final quarter. | Western Bulldogs: Nil. Sydney Swans: Leo Barry for striking Shaun Higgins in the final quarter. | Western Bulldogs: Nil. Sydney Swans: Leo Barry for striking Shaun Higgins in the final quarter. |
| Injuries: | Injuries: | nil | nil | nil |
| Australian television broadcaster: | Australian television broadcaster: | Seven Network | Seven Network | Seven Network |
Sydney held a one-point lead at quarter time, but failed to score a major in the third quarter, and fell apart to lose by 37 points, thus ending their season at the semi-finals stage. Fullback Leo Barry was booked for striking Shaun Higgins but the report was thrown out. The Western Bulldogs were drawn to play defending premier Geelong in the preliminary final to battle for a Grand Final berth.

## Week Three
### First Preliminary Final (Geelong vs. Western Bulldogs)

Geelong vs Western Bulldogs :
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Final |
| Geelong | 5.3 (33) | 8.8 (56) | 10.9 (69) | 12.11 (83) |
| Western Bulldogs | 4.3 (27) | 5.5 (35) | 7.9 (51) | 7.12 (54) |
| Venue: | Venue: | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne |
| Date and time: | Date and time: | 19 September 2008 - 7:40PM AEST | 19 September 2008 - 7:40PM AEST | 19 September 2008 - 7:40PM AEST |
| Attendance: | Attendance: | 70,140 | 70,140 | 70,140 |
| Umpires: | Umpires: | Michael Vozzo, Stephen McBurney, Shaun Ryan | Michael Vozzo, Stephen McBurney, Shaun Ryan | Michael Vozzo, Stephen McBurney, Shaun Ryan |
| Goal scorers: | Geelong | Rooke 2, S. Johnson 2, Stokes, Bartel, Wojcinski, Lonergan, Harley, Ottens, Varcoe, Mooney | Rooke 2, S. Johnson 2, Stokes, Bartel, Wojcinski, Lonergan, Harley, Ottens, Varcoe, Mooney | Rooke 2, S. Johnson 2, Stokes, Bartel, Wojcinski, Lonergan, Harley, Ottens, Varcoe, Mooney |
| Goal scorers: | Western Bulldogs | Higgins 2, Harbrow 2, Johnson, Akermanis, Eagleton | Higgins 2, Harbrow 2, Johnson, Akermanis, Eagleton | Higgins 2, Harbrow 2, Johnson, Akermanis, Eagleton |
| Best: | Geelong | Mackie, Ling, Harley, Corey, Selwood, Bartel | Mackie, Ling, Harley, Corey, Selwood, Bartel | Mackie, Ling, Harley, Corey, Selwood, Bartel |
| Best: | Western Bulldogs | Harbrow, Gilbee, Hargrave, Lake, Murphy, Callan | Harbrow, Gilbee, Hargrave, Lake, Murphy, Callan | Harbrow, Gilbee, Hargrave, Lake, Murphy, Callan |
| Reports: | Reports: | Geelong: Nil Western Bulldogs: Josh Hill for making head-high contact with Andrew Mackie in the third quarter. | Geelong: Nil Western Bulldogs: Josh Hill for making head-high contact with Andrew Mackie in the third quarter. | Geelong: Nil Western Bulldogs: Josh Hill for making head-high contact with Andrew Mackie in the third quarter. |
| Injuries: | Injuries: | Geelong: Nil Western Bulldogs: Giansiracusa (ankle) | Geelong: Nil Western Bulldogs: Giansiracusa (ankle) | Geelong: Nil Western Bulldogs: Giansiracusa (ankle) |
| Australian television broadcaster: | Australian television broadcaster: | Seven Network | Seven Network | Seven Network |
Geelong progressed to their second straight Grand Final but had to, for the second year in succession, withstand a late challenge from their preliminary final opponent. The Western Bulldogs had much of the play, but missed shots on goal in the second half when they were available. This was the Western Bulldogs's furthest finish in a season since 1998, when they made back-to-back preliminary finals.

### Second Preliminary Final (Hawthorn vs. St Kilda)

Hawthorn vs St Kilda :
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Final |
| Hawthorn | 4.4 (28) | 11.5 (71) | 15.8 (98) | 18.10 (118) |
| St Kilda | 2.3 (15) | 3.6 (24) | 7.7 (49) | 9.10 (64) |
| Venue: | Venue: | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne |
| Date and time: | Date and time: | 20 September 2008 - 7:00PM AEST | 20 September 2008 - 7:00PM AEST | 20 September 2008 - 7:00PM AEST |
| Attendance: | Attendance: | 77,002 | 77,002 | 77,002 |
| Umpires: | Umpires: | Hayden Kennedy, Brett Rosebury, Scott McLaren | Hayden Kennedy, Brett Rosebury, Scott McLaren | Hayden Kennedy, Brett Rosebury, Scott McLaren |
| Goal scorers: | Hawthorn | Williams 5, Roughead 4, Rioli 2, Young 2, Bateman, Brown, Crawford, Franklin, Osborne | Williams 5, Roughead 4, Rioli 2, Young 2, Bateman, Brown, Crawford, Franklin, Osborne | Williams 5, Roughead 4, Rioli 2, Young 2, Bateman, Brown, Crawford, Franklin, Osborne |
| Goal scorers: | St Kilda | Riewoldt 3, Fisher 2, Fiora, Milne, Montagna, Schneider | Riewoldt 3, Fisher 2, Fiora, Milne, Montagna, Schneider | Riewoldt 3, Fisher 2, Fiora, Milne, Montagna, Schneider |
| Best: | Hawthorn | Lewis, Mitchell, Williams, Sewell, Young, Hodge, Guerra, Birchall | Lewis, Mitchell, Williams, Sewell, Young, Hodge, Guerra, Birchall | Lewis, Mitchell, Williams, Sewell, Young, Hodge, Guerra, Birchall |
| Best: | St Kilda | Hudghton, Goddard, Fisher, Clarke, Hayes | Hudghton, Goddard, Fisher, Clarke, Hayes | Hudghton, Goddard, Fisher, Clarke, Hayes |
| Reports: | Reports: | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Injuries: | Injuries: | Hawthorn: Hodge (ribs) St. Kilda: Nil | Hawthorn: Hodge (ribs) St. Kilda: Nil | Hawthorn: Hodge (ribs) St. Kilda: Nil |
| Australian television broadcaster: | Australian television broadcaster: | Network Ten | Network Ten | Network Ten |
Hawthorn defied a poor recent record against the Saints to post one of their best wins of the season, with strong performances by much of the team making up for Coleman Medallist Lance Franklin being kept to a single goal by Saints backman Max Hudghton. The loss was the 383rd and last game for St Kilda's Robert Harvey who left the game as the most capped player without an AFL premiership.

## Week Four
### Grand Final (Geelong vs. Hawthorn)

Geelong vs Hawthorn :
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Final |
| Geelong | 5.3 (33) | 6.12 (48) | 9.18 (72) | 11.23 (89) |
| Hawthorn | 5.2 (32) | 8.3 (51) | 14.5 (89) | 18.7 (115) |
| Venue: | Venue: | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne |
| Date: | Date: | 27 September 2008 – 2:30PM AEST | 27 September 2008 – 2:30PM AEST | 27 September 2008 – 2:30PM AEST |
| Attendance: | Attendance: | 100,012 | 100,012 | 100,012 |
| Umpires: | Umpires: | Scott McLaren, Michael Vozzo, Shaun Ryan | Scott McLaren, Michael Vozzo, Shaun Ryan | Scott McLaren, Michael Vozzo, Shaun Ryan |
| Goal scorers: | Geelong | 2: Mooney, Ablett, Rooke, Lonergan 1: Chapman, Milburn, Johnson | 2: Mooney, Ablett, Rooke, Lonergan 1: Chapman, Milburn, Johnson | 2: Mooney, Ablett, Rooke, Lonergan 1: Chapman, Milburn, Johnson |
| Goal scorers: | Hawthorn | 3: Williams 2: Rioli, Dew, Franklin, Roughead 1: Bateman, Ellis, Brown, Young, Hodge, Mitchell, Ladson | 3: Williams 2: Rioli, Dew, Franklin, Roughead 1: Bateman, Ellis, Brown, Young, Hodge, Mitchell, Ladson | 3: Williams 2: Rioli, Dew, Franklin, Roughead 1: Bateman, Ellis, Brown, Young, Hodge, Mitchell, Ladson |
| Best: | Geelong | Ablett, Scarlett, Selwood, Chapman, Corey | Ablett, Scarlett, Selwood, Chapman, Corey | Ablett, Scarlett, Selwood, Chapman, Corey |
| Best: | Hawthorn | Hodge, Sewell, Crawford, Dew, Ellis, Osborne, Williams | Hodge, Sewell, Crawford, Dew, Ellis, Osborne, Williams | Hodge, Sewell, Crawford, Dew, Ellis, Osborne, Williams |
| Reports: | Reports: | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Injuries: | Injuries: | Geelong: Harley (concussion) Hawthorn: Croad (foot), Young (ankle) | Geelong: Harley (concussion) Hawthorn: Croad (foot), Young (ankle) | Geelong: Harley (concussion) Hawthorn: Croad (foot), Young (ankle) |
| Coin toss winner: | Coin toss winner: | | | |
| Norm Smith Medal: | Norm Smith Medal: | Luke Hodge | Luke Hodge | Luke Hodge |
| Australian television broadcaster: | Australian television broadcaster: | Seven Network | Seven Network | Seven Network |
| National Anthem: | National Anthem: | Amanda Harrison and Lucy Durack | Amanda Harrison and Lucy Durack | Amanda Harrison and Lucy Durack |
Hawthorn surprised the minor premiers Geelong to come away with their 10th premiership to win by 26 points in a match that was played in front of 100,012 people on a warm 27°C afternoon. The Cats kicked 23 behinds for the match, some which deliberately done by the Hawks.
Luke Hodge won the Norm Smith Medal as best afield while teammates Shane Crawford retired after playing 306 games and Trent Croad would ultimately also play his last game after 222 games after breaking his foot during the game.