VFL, NRL, AFL Finals Move Toward Decisive Preliminary Matches

The Smithy’s VFL preliminary finals feature key players like Luke Breust and Cal Porter for Box Hill Hawks against Footscray Bulldogs, while Southport faces Frankston aiming for their third grand final appearance in four seasons. The NRL finals open with a challenging match between injury-hit Canterbury Bulldogs and Melbourne Storm, both sides struggling with form and key player absences heading into critical knockout rounds. In the AFL, Adelaide and Hawthorn meet in a sudden-death semi-final at Adelaide Oval, with Adelaide seeking to avoid an early exit and Hawthorn riding high on confidence from a recent elimination final win. The match will be broadcast across multiple Australian platforms including Kayo, 7plus, and Fox Footy. Meanwhile, in AFLW, Collingwood captain Ruby Schleicher highlights the emergence of rookies like Zippy Fish and Ash Centra, emphasizing the importance of easing first-year players' pressures as they integrate into the league. Schleicher's leadership aims to support the new talent amid heightened expectations, reflecting the evolving dynamics of AFLW teams this season.