2022 Hostplus SANFL Finals Series official launch

By SANFL Media

The SANFL is excited to launch the 2022 Hostplus SANFL League Finals Series and announce an action-packed ‘Festival of Footy’ Grand Final events program.

The stage has been set for another gripping SANFL Finals Series after the home and away season saw just four premiership points separate minor premiers North Adelaide and fifth-placed Sturt.

The four-week finals campaign kicks off this Sunday, August 28 with the Elimination and Qualifying Finals double header, and culminates with the Grand Final on Sunday, September 18.

It is the first time since 2019 that the SANFL men’s Finals Series has been played at Adelaide Oval without a cap on spectators. That year, more than 39,000 spectators turned out for the Grand Final which saw Glenelg win its first premiership in 33 years, overcoming Port Adelaide.

The 2018 Grand Final saw more than 40,300 people witness the 2018 clash between premiers North Adelaide and Norwood – the biggest SANFL Grand Final crowd in 20 years.

SANFL CEO Darren Chandler said the evenness of the regular season had become a hallmark of the competition, with excitement building ahead of this weekend’s match ups between Glenelg and Sturt, and Adelaide and Norwood.

North Adelaide has the valuable bye this week after finishing on top of the ladder and will face the winner of the Qualifying Final (Adelaide v Norwood) on Sunday, September 4.

“The 2022 Hostplus SANFL League has demonstrated over 19 rounds of the home and away season why it is arguably the best State League competition in Australia,” Mr Chandler said.

“There is little separating the finals contenders and fans can expect to see a high calibre and intensely fought competition over the next four weeks.

“We are thrilled to have unlimited crowds again at Adelaide Oval for the Grand Final and we are putting in every effort, on and off the field, to again attract a bumper crowd for the Grand Final.”

While the on-field action will be intense, fans will have added incentive to head to this year’s Grand Final, with a ‘Festival of Footy’ to add to the carnival atmosphere of the main event.

Some highlights of the ‘Festival of Footy’ will be:

A kids activity zone outside the Oval, including a ‘Talent Hub’ mini draft combine

Sponsor marquees, giveaways and entertainment on Telstra Plaza.

The Village Green inside the Oval featuring food trucks, a wine bar, and live music before, during and after the Grand Final.

SANFL Sundowner Afterparty on The Village Green post-match.

AAMI Dash for Cash half-time relay sprint around the Oval, including both men’s and women’s league players competing for the first time.

In addition, SANFL is working with Novita and Adelaide Oval to ensure the Grand Final is an accessible and inclusive event, including a dedicated ‘Novita Quiet Room’ for adults and children.

All matches across the four-week Finals Series will be played at Adelaide Oval and broadcast on Channel 7, radio 1629 SEN SA and live streamed on SANFL Now.

Tickets for all Hostplus SANFL League Finals matches, including the Grand Final, are on sale now via Ticketek. Tickets also will be available for sale on match day at the gate.

For all ticketing and match day information on the Hostplus SANFL League Finals Series, visit the SANFL website: www.sanfl.frmdv.com/finals

Sunday, August 28

Elimination Final | Glenelg v Sturt | 12.15pm

Qualifying Final | Adelaide v Norwood | 3.15pm

Sunday, September 4

Semi Final 1 | [Loser QFl] v [Winner EF] | 12.15pm

Semi Final 2 | North Adelaide v [Winner QF] | 3.15pm

Sunday, September 11

Preliminary Final | 2:45pm

Sunday, September 18

Grand Final | 3pm