LAST FINALS SPOT: Suns clinch finals with thumping Dons win

SUNS CLINCH FINALS, DOGS FINISH 9TH

Gold Coast will officially play finals for the first time in club history after thumping Essendon 23.15 (153) - 8.10 (58) at People First Stadium on Wednesday night.

All the Suns needed was the four points in the final home and away game of the 2025 season to make the top eight and knock the Bulldogs out, but they went a bit further than that, recording a 95-point victory, the club's biggest ever win.

The big margin also confirms that the Suns finish 7th and play Fremantle in the second elimination final, jumping Hawthorn on percentage who finish 8th and play GWS in the first elimination final.

After blistering starts, both Matt Rowell (two goals, 31 disposals) and Noah Anderson (three goals, 34 disposals) could be set to duke it out for the three votes on Brownlow night with both players a live chance at the medal.

Ben King also finished with a career-high seven majors, taking his 2025 tally to 69 goals which is good for outright second in the Coleman Medal.

The loss was also injury-ravaged Essendon's 12th defeat in a row as the club's fourth-longest losing streak continued.

2025 AFL LADDER - TOP 9:

1. Adelaide - 139.3% 72pts  
2. Geelong - 141.5% 68pts  
3. Brisbane - 114.2% 66pts
4. Collingwood - 122.4% 64pts  
5. GWS Giants - 115.3% 64pts    
6. Fremantle - 109.0% 64pts
7. Gold Coast - 124.9% 60pts
8. Hawthorn - 120.9% 60pts
9. Western Bulldogs - 137.0% 56pts

2025 FINALS WEEK 1 MATCHUPS

QF1: Adelaide (1st) v (4th) Collingwood

QF2: Geelong (2nd) v (3rd) Brisbane

EF1: GWS (5th) v (8th) Hawthorn

EF2: Fremantle (6th) v (7th) Gold Coast

HALF-TIME

Start the post-season celebrations... or commiserations... if you're a Bulldogs player or fan, you won't be playing finals in 2025.

The Suns lead the Bombers 9.10 (64) - 3.4 (22) at half-time.

With Gold Coast only needing a win to pass the Bulldogs to play September footy for the first time in club history, it looks like this is all she wrote.

As this result is also looking like its headed for a sizeable margin, the Suns also look destined to face the Dockers in Perth in a 6th v 7th elimination final battle.

Usual suspects Matt Rowell (one goal, 19 disposals) and Noah Anderson (two goals, 17 disposals) have also been everywhere as they continue to push for both the Brownlow and All-Australian selection.

FINALS CALCULATIONS

The final game of the 2025 home and away season is set for Wednesday night as Gold Coast play off for a spot in the top eight against Essendon.

The rescheduled Opening Round clash between the sides has meant that the Bulldogs (eighth) and Suns (ninth) have been made to wait to see exactly what their September plans will be.

With seven of the top eight sides locked in, Wednesday night’s result is pretty simple for Gold Coast. Win and you’re in for the first finals series in club history. Lose, and that spot has the Doggies’ name on it despite their Round 24 loss to Fremantle.

As the top four is locked in, the result of Wednesday’s Suns v Dons game is set to shuffle spots seven through nine.

GWS and Fremantle have locked in fifth and sixth place respectively, meaning they will host a home elimination final.

Here’s what will occur depending on results:

Gold Coast win by 36+ points:

• (5) GWS versus (8) Hawthorn @ ENGIE Stadium

• (6) Fremantle versus (7) Gold Coast @ Optus Stadium

Gold Coast win by a margin between 22-36, pending Essendon’s points for:

• (5) GWS versus (8) Gold Coast @ ENGIE Stadium

or

• (6) Fremantle versus (7) Gold Coast @ Optus Stadium

Gold Coast win by less than 22 points OR Gold Coast and Essendon draw:

-  (5) GWS versus (8) Gold Coast @ ENGIE Stadium

• (6) Fremantle versus (7) Hawthorn @ Optus Stadium

Essendon beat Gold Coast:

• (5) GWS versus (8) Western Bulldogs @ ENGIE Stadium

• (6) Fremantle versus (7) Hawthorn @ Optus Stadium

The AFL will release the full week one finals fixture following Wednesday’s game.